Long Live The King Series

The Crown – Season One – Episode 2

Long Live the King

. Today we will be in chapters 9-10 as Israel gets the king they wanted.

But before we go there let’s take a look back at last week. It’s an odd story to say the least. I’m not going to read through the whole passage but here is a summary.

• We are introduced to a man, Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin. They are not the most notable tribe. In fact, they are the smallest and they do have a bit of a checkered past. Already we are wondering how this is going to work out.

• Kish is a man is a means and has a son, Saul – he is handsome and tall.

• Kish sends Saul and a servant on a mission to find some donkeys who have wandered off.

• They go searching and wander through the countryside with no luck.

• Saul wants to give up thinking his father will be worried, but the servant suggests they seek out a man of God who is nearby. Maybe he can help.

• Saul objects because he has no gift to give the man of God, but the servant has come prepared. He has some money to give the man of God as a gift.

• They approach the city and encounter women collecting water and ask about the prophet. They say he’s on his way and directs Saul and the servant to go up into the city. There’s a meal about to take place and the party can’t start until the prophet blesses the food.

• The prophet of course is Samuel, and he has already been told by God the day before that the new king will meet him in the city.

• Saul and Samuel do meet, and Samuel invites Saul to the meal and Saul finds out that he is the guest of honor.

• Samuel tells Saul he knows all about the donkeys and not to worry – they are safe and sound.

• Samuel tells Saul that he is the one the nation has been looking for.

• He tells Saul to stay the night and we’ll talk more.

• The next day Samuel sends the servant away so he and Saul can talk.

• In a private ceremony he anoints Saul with oil and declares him as ruler of the nation.

• To confirm this appointment Samuel tells Saul that on his way home three things will happen. (1) He will be met by two men who will tell you the donkeys have been found and your father is indeed worried about you. (2) Then you will meet three men who will offer you two loaves of bread. And (3) You will meet a procession of prophets and the Spirit of the Lord will come over you and you will be changed into a different person.

• Samuel then tells Saul he will meet him again in seven days.

• All these things happen just like Samuel said.

• After an undisclosed period of time Samuel calls a national meeting in Mizpah. This is the day when Samuel will go public with the news of Saul.

• To determine the new ruler, Samuel draws lots – not uncommon for that time. The lot falls to the tribe of Benjamin. Then the clan that Kish belongs to. And then to the family of Kish. And then – drumroll please – to Saul!

• But where is Sal? He is nowhere to be found.

• They inquire of the Lord and find Saul hidden among the supplies.

• They grab him and bring him in front of everyone. There he is – taller than all the other people. Samuel says, “Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

Isn’t that one of the most bizarre beginnings to a monarchy you’ve ever heard of?

One commentator says this:

First Samuel 9 depicts the comical choosing of Saul as the king the people wanted. This story reads like a comedy rather than a dignified tale of heroism, class, and valor.

Greear, J. D., & Thomas, H. A. (2016). Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Samuel (p. 94). Holman Reference.

Another says this:

This is hardly an auspicious beginning for a ruler in the making..

Van Wijk-Bos, J. W. H. (2020). The Road to Kingship: 1-2 Samuel (Vol. 2, p. 77). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

What do we learn about God and ourselves?

A. God is in Control

The story is first and foremost about Yahweh, not Saul or Samuel or even Israel. God is the guiding hand behind all that occurs in this passage.