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The Beginning of the End
and he joined in their song of praise and prophesied with them. He
spoke with great fluency and wisdom and earnestly joined in the
service. Those who had known him exclaimed in astonishment,
“What is this that is come upon the son of Kish? Is Saul also among
the prophets?”
The Holy Spirit worked a great change in him. The light of
divine holiness shone in on the darkness of the natural heart. He saw
himself as he was before God, and he saw the beauty of holiness.
He was called to begin the warfare against sin and was made to feel
that in this conflict his strength must come wholly from God. The
plan of salvation, which before this had seemed dim and uncertain,
opened to his understanding. The Lord blessed him with courage
and wisdom for his high position.
Saul Publicly Acclaimed King
The anointing of Saul as king had not been made known to the
nation. God’s choice was to be publicly revealed by casting lots.
Samuel called the people together at Mizpah for this purpose. Prayer
was offered for divine guidance, and then the solemn ceremony
of casting the lot followed the prayer. The multitude waited for
the choice in silence . One by one, the lot designated the tribe,
the family, and the household, and then Saul, the son of Kish, was
pointed out as the individual chosen.
But Saul was not in the assembly. Burdened with a sense of the
great responsibility about to fall on him, he had secretly withdrawn.
He was brought back to the congregation, who noticed with pride
that he had a kingly bearing and noble form, being “taller than any
of the people from his shoulders upward.” Samuel exclaimed, “Do
you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like
him among all the people?” In response one long, loud shout of joy
arose from the throng, “Long live the king!”
Samuel then explained to the people “the rules of the kingdom,”
stating the principles upon which the monarchical government was
based. The king was not to be an absolute monarch, but to hold
his power in obedience to the will of the Most High. This message
was recorded in a book. Though the nation had despised Samuel’s