First King of Israel
549
it upon their necks. Had Christ cloaked their sins and applauded their
piety, they would have accepted Him as their king; but they would not
bear His fearless rebuke of their vices. The loveliness of a character
in which benevolence, purity, and holiness reigned supreme, which
entertained no hatred except for sin, they despised. Thus it has been in
every age of the world. The light from heaven brings condemnation
on all who refuse to walk in it. When rebuked by the example of those
who hate sin, hypocrites will become agents of Satan to harass and
persecute the faithful. “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution.”
2 Timothy 3:12
.
Though a monarchical form of government for Israel had been
foretold in prophecy, God had reserved to Himself the right to choose
their king. The Hebrews so far respected the authority of God as to
leave the selection entirely to Him. The choice fell upon Saul, a son
of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin.
The personal qualities of the future monarch were such as to gratify
that pride of heart which prompted the desire for a king. “There was
not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he.”
1 Samuel
9:2
. Of noble and dignified bearing, in the prime of life, comely and
tall, he appeared like one born to command. Yet with these external
attractions, Saul was destitute of those higher qualities that constitute
true wisdom. He had not in youth learned to control his rash, impetuous
passions; he had never felt the renewing power of divine grace.
Saul was the son of a powerful and wealthy chief, yet in accordance
with the simplicity of the times he was engaged with his father in the
humble duties of a husbandman. Some of his father’s animals having
strayed upon the mountains, Saul went with a servant to seek for
them. For three days they searched in vain, when, as they were not
far from Ramah, [
See appendix, note 9.
] the home of Samuel, the
servant proposed that they should inquire of the prophet concerning
the missing property. “I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel
[609]
of silver,” he said: “that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our
way.” This was in accordance with the custom of the times. A person
approaching a superior in rank or office made him a small present, as
an expression of respect.
As they drew near to the city they met some young maidens who
had come out to draw water, and inquired of them for the seer. In reply
they were told that a religious service was about to take place, that the