552
Patriarchs and Prophets
The anointing of Saul as king had not been made known to the
nation. The choice of God was to be publicly manifested by lot. For
this purpose Samuel convoked the people at Mizpeh. Prayer was
offered for divine guidance; then followed the solemn ceremony of
casting the lot. In silence the assembled multitude awaited the issue.
The tribe, the family, and the household were successively designated,
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great responsibility about to fall upon him, he had secretly withdrawn.
He was brought back to the congregation, who observed with pride
and satisfaction that he was of kingly bearing and noble form, being
“higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.” Even
Samuel, when presenting him to the assembly, exclaimed, “See ye him
whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the
people?” And in response arose from the vast throng one long, loud
shout of joy, “God save the king!”
Samuel then set before the people “the manner of the kingdom,”
stating the principles upon which the monarchial government was
based, and by which it should be controlled. The king was not to be an
absolute monarch, but was to hold his power in subjection to the will
of the Most High. This address was recorded in a book, wherein were
set forth the prerogatives of the prince and the rights and privileges
of the people. Though the nation had despised Samuel’s warning, the
faithful prophet, while forced to yield to their desires, still endeavored,
as far as possible, to guard their liberties.
While the people in general were ready to acknowledge Saul as
their king, there was a large party in opposition. For a monarch to
be chosen from Benjamin, the smallest of the tribes of Israel—and
that to the neglect of both Judah and Ephraim, the largest and most
powerful—was a slight which they could not brook. They refused
to profess allegiance to Saul or to bring him the customary presents.
[612]
Those who had been most urgent in their demand for a king were
the very ones that refused to accept with gratitude the man of God’s
appointment. The members of each faction had their favorite, whom
they wished to see placed on the throne, and several among the leaders
had desired the honor for themselves. Envy and jealousy burned in
the hearts of many. The efforts of pride and ambition had resulted in
disappointment and discontent.