The Confirmation Of King Saul Series

6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. 7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel,proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one. 8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

9 They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated. 10 They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like.”

11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

We can notice first of all in these verses the humility of Saul even he has been proclaimed as king.

He was not puffed up with pride in the early days of his kingship.

He had already been anointed with oil by Samuel and proclaimed publicly before the whole Israel.

But in these verses, we find him laboring in his oxen as if he was an ordinary man like his own people.

It also shows that by working hard, he could support himself and not to be a burden to his people.

Remember that the apostle Paul also worked with his hands as a tent maker to support himself financially while in the ministry?

Working hard is an important attitude we need to develop as Christians.

God hates laziness but lifts up those who are diligent.

Then one evening, after working in the field, Saul came to visit his people together with his servants to determine their present state.

It was a show of care and concern specially if the people are in pain.

When he saw that they were crying, he asked them why.

Why were they in pain?

He wanted to help them in any way he can.

Then, he heard about the distress of the whole city due to the cruelty of the Ammonites.

Instantly, the Spirit of God came upon him and his anger was kindled.

What got him angry?

He was so angry that people were weeping over the predicament of their fellow Israelites, but they were not doing anything about it.

He was so angry that the people of Jabesh, God’s people, were in such weak predicament and had not sent him a notice sooner.

He was so angry with sin and wanted God's holiness and justice to prevail.

It was a brave and courageous fire that has been kindled in the life of Saul when he got angry.

Because of that anger, he decided to do something about it.

There are people who get angry and don't do anything about it.

There are people who get angry and curse and hate those close to them because of their anger.