Saul Publicly Acclaimed King

The anointing of Saul as king had not been made known to the nation. God’s choice was to be publicly revealed by casting lots. Samuel called the people together at Mizpah for this purpose. Prayer was offered for divine guidance, and then the solemn ceremony of casting the lot followed the prayer. The multitude waited for the choice in silence . One by one, the lot designated the tribe, the family, and the household, and then Saul, the son of Kish, was pointed out as the individual chosen.BOE 308.2

But Saul was not in the assembly. Burdened with a sense of the great responsibility about to fall on him, he had secretly withdrawn. He was brought back to the congregation, who noticed with pride that he had a kingly bearing and noble form, being “taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.” Samuel exclaimed, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” In response one long, loud shout of joy arose from the throng, “Long live the king!”BOE 308.3

Samuel then explained to the people “the rules of the kingdom,” stating the principles upon which the monarchical government was based. The king was not to be an absolute monarch, but to hold his power in obedience to the will of the Most High. This message was recorded in a book. Though the nation had despised Samuel’s warning, the faithful prophet still tried to guard their liberties as far as possible.BOE 308.4

While most of the people were ready to make Saul their king, there was a large group that was opposed. For a king to be chosen from Benjamin, the smallest tribe of Israel—and to neglect both Judah and Ephraim, the largest and most powerful—was an insult that they could not accept. Those who had been most urgent in their demand for a king were the ones who refused to accept the man God had appointed.BOE 308.5

Saul returned to Gibeah, leaving Samuel to administer the government as before. He made no attempt to use force to claim the throne, and he quietly continued with his farm duties, leaving it entirely to God to establish his authority.BOE 308.6

Soon after, the Ammonites invaded the territory east of Jordan and threatened the city of Jabesh Gilead. The inhabitants tried to secure peace by offering to pay tribute money to the Ammonites. The cruel king would not agree except on condition that he put out the right eye of everyone.BOE 309.1

Messengers were sent at once to seek help from the tribes west of Jordan. Saul, returning at night from the field, heard the loud wail that told of some great calamity. When he learned the shocking story, all his inactive powers were awakened. “The Spirit of God came upon Saul. ... So he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, ‘Whoever does not go out with Saul and Samuel to battle, so shall it be done to his oxen.’”BOE 309.2

Three hundred thirty thousand men gathered under the command of Saul. By a rapid night march, Saul and his army crossed the Jordan and arrived near Jabesh in “the morning watch.” Dividing his force into three companies, he attacked the Ammonite camp at that early hour, when they were not suspecting danger and were least secure. In the panic that followed, they were defeated with great slaughter. “Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.”BOE 309.3

The promptness and bravery of Saul, as well as his generalship, were qualities that the people of Israel wanted in a monarch, so that they might cope with other nations. They now greeted him as their king, giving the honor of the victory to human power and forgetting that without God’s special blessing all their efforts would have been in vain. Some proposed putting to death those who had refused at first to acknowledge the authority of Saul, but the king interfered, saying, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has accomplished salvation in Israel.” Instead of taking honor to himself, he gave the glory to God. Instead of showing revenge, he modeled forgiveness. This is unmistakable evidence that the grace of God dwells in the heart.BOE 309.4

Samuel now proposed that they call a national assembly at Gilgal to publicly confirm the kingdom to Saul. It was done, and “there they made sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.”BOE 309.5

On this plain, linked with so many exciting associations, stood Samuel and Saul; and when the shouts of welcome to the king had died away, the old prophet gave his parting words as ruler of the nation.BOE 309.6

Samuel had previously explained the principles that should govern both the king and the people, and he wanted to add the weight of his own example to his words. From childhood he had been connected with the work of God, and during his long life he had always had one objective—the glory of God and the highest good of Israel.BOE 309.7

As a result of sin Israel had lost their faith in God and their belief in His power and wisdom to rule the nation; they had lost confidence in His ability to support His cause. Before they could find true peace, they must see and confess the sin of which they were guilty.BOE 309.8

Samuel reviewed the history of Israel from the day God brought them from Egypt. The King of kings had fought their battles. Often their sins had brought them under the power of their enemies, but no sooner did they turn from their evil ways than God’s mercy raised up a deliverer. The Lord sent Gideon and Barak, and “Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you dwelt in safety.” Yet when threatened with danger they had declared, “A king shall reign over us,” when, said the prophet, “the Lord your God was your king.”BOE 310.1

In humiliation the people now confessed their sin, the very sin of which they had been guilty. “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.”BOE 310.2

Samuel did not leave the people in discouragement, for this would have prevented them from making any effort for a better life. Looking on God as severe and unforgiving would expose them to many temptations. “Do not fear,” was the message of God by His servant: “You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside ... . For the Lord will not forsake His people.”BOE 310.3

Samuel spoke no word of rebuke for the ingratitude with which Israel had repaid his lifelong devotion, but he assured them of his unceasing interest for them. “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.”BOE 310.4