First King of Israel
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When Saul departed, early next morning, the prophet went forth
with him. Having passed through the town, he directed the servant to
go forward. Then he bade Saul stand still to receive a message sent
him from God. “Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his
head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because Jehovah hath anointed
thee to be captain over His inheritance?” As evidence that this was
done by divine authority, he foretold the incidents that would occur on
the homeward journey and assured Saul that he would be qualified by
the Spirit of God for the station awaiting him. “The Spirit of Jehovah
will come upon thee,” said the prophet, and thou “shalt be turned into
another man. And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that
thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.”
As Saul went on his way, all came to pass as the prophet had said.
Near the border of Benjamin he was informed that the lost animals
had been found. In the plain of Tabor he met three men who were
going to worship God at Bethel. One of them carried three kids for
sacrifice, another three loaves of bread, and the third a bottle of wine,
for the sacrificial feast. They gave Saul the usual salutation and also
presented him with two of the three loaves of bread. At Gibeah, his
own city, a band of prophets returning from “the high place” were
singing the praise of God to the music of the pipe and the harp, the
psaltery and the tabret. As Saul approached them the Spirit of the
Lord came upon him also, and he joined in their song of praise, and
prophesied with them. He spoke with so great fluency and wisdom,
and joined so earnestly in the service, that those who had known him
exclaimed in astonishment, “What is this that is come unto the son of
Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
As Saul united with the prophets in their worship, a great change
was wrought in him by the Holy Spirit. The light of divine purity
and holiness shone in upon the darkness of the natural heart. He saw
himself as he was before God. He saw the beauty of holiness. He
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was now called to begin the warfare against sin and Satan, and he
was made to feel that in this conflict his strength must come wholly
from God. The plan of salvation, which had before seemed dim and
uncertain, was opened to his understanding. The Lord endowed him
with courage and wisdom for his high station. He revealed to him the
Source of strength and grace, and enlightened his understanding as to
the divine claims and his own duty.