1 Samuel 10:17-25 And Samuel called the people together to the LORD to Mizpeh; Long enough had Saul been in the Divine studio, and fashioned by heavenly forces, his nature comes forth in power to enter upon life's duty, and also to grapple with its difficulties. In this recognition of incipient kingship we have — I. A REJECTION OF THE DIVINE. The last embers of the old Jewish Theocracy are smouldering into extinction. The rejection of the Divine King: — 1. It was public. "And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mizpeh" (ver. 17). 2. This rejection was ungrateful. "And ye have this day rejected your God, who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations" (ver. 19). Like the planets nearest the sun, filled with light, and cheered with heat; so these Israelites had been fixed in the moral heavens near to the Infinite Being, who had thrown upon them the light of His finite mind, and given to them the sympathy of His loving heart; and thus blessed they now openly reject His future help! What ingratitude for a nation who had so frequently been delivered from imminent peril, from national ruin, and even from slavery, thus to deny Him who had been its refuge! 3. This rejection was wilful. "And ye have this day rejected your God" (ver. 19). It was not a mere frantic impulse that had taken possession of the national heart; nor had the petty orations of a renegade politician aroused the people to a temporary revolution. It was a matter of fixed purpose. 4. This rejection was reprehensible. "Ye have this day rejected your God." 5. This rejection was tolerated. "Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes, and by your thousands" (ver. 19). The Divine Being frequently permits nations to have their own way, to pursue their own plans; and thus throwing themselves out of the chart of Providence, they are soon loosed on the wild ocean, until they are wrecked upon the predicted reefs. II. A CORONATION OF THE HUMAN. 1. The method according to which Saul was chosen. "And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken" (vers. 20, 21). (1) The tribes were universally presented. (2) The tribes were minutely inspected. Of course Samuel knew who was to be the future king, but yet he went through the ceremony of selecting him.Why? (1) To show that the prior discipline of life is private in its nature. The discipline of every life is simply a matter between God and the soul immediately concerned; no other presence has a right to intrude upon its sanctity. (2) To complete the satisfaction of the people. Had this method of choice not been adopted, and had Saul been made king merely upon the grounds of his previous calling, the people would have suspected favouritism, and have rebelled against the decision. But now they cannot all are placed on the same level, and therefore equally possess a like chance for the new office. Here we see, (3) That God does not despise the humbler circles of life. Saul was taken from the tribe of Benjamin. Many imagine that because they are poor they are despised by men, and also forgotten or neglected by God. But such is not the case. 2. Saul's modesty is worthy of observation. "And the Lord answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff" (ver. 22). This shows the effectiveness of the Divine discipline through which Saul had passed, and proves that he was the fit man for the office of kingship, Few men would run from kingship. Its pageantry would suit their pride too well; its sceptre would meet their ambition, and its flattery would feed their weakness. But Saul looked more at its responsibility than at its emolument. Some men, when called to posts of authority, exhibit a mock modesty, and hide themselves behind the stuff of life, but they take care to get where there are plenty of holes through which they may be seen, lest their compeers should stop in the search. Saul's was genuine modesty, and modesty never loses anything by being real, for it is in such request that men pray for its discovery (ver. 22). 3. Saul's reception by the people. (1) What recommended him to them? (2) It was enthusiastic. No doubt there were many disappointed hearts, but the general cry was, God save the king. 4. The sacredness of national history (ver. 25). 5. The conduct of Samuel in this crisis. (1) Judicious. (2) Brave.Lessons: — (1) That the Divine goodness is an argument for human obedience. (2) That good men have frequently to do things contrary to their wishes. (3) That occasionally good men must yield, in the Providence of God, to the desires of wicked people. (4) That when good men yield to the requests of disobedient foes, they must proclaim the future consequences. (Joseph S. Exell, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh; |
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