Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Good Beginnings for Israel’s King Read 1 Samuel 10:17–11:15 So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration. 1 Samuel 11:15 Many leaders start humble, unassuming and fair-minded and then power seems to get into their heads and they get increasingly arrogant and abusive. Very few remain humble and approachable to the end. Some people just cannot and should not be leaders, and chief executives have to be careful about promoting them. In our reading today, we need not worry because God Himself was the Chief Executive in this promotion exercise. We cannot help but notice that King Saul was outstandingly unassuming and unpretentious on his coronation day. His humility was heartwarming. This speaks positively for God’s choice of Israel’s first king. Saul realized he was from the smallest tribe, Benjamin, and his clan was the least of all the clans of that tribe. He did not even boast to his uncle when he chanced to meet him that Samuel had already anointed him as Israel’s king (10:16). On the day when all the tribes were gathered for the coronation, Saul was even hiding among the supplies and they had to look everywhere for him (10:22). It was finally God who told them where Saul was! We might say Saul was far from assertive. He was rather self-effacing, a disposition which most Asians can identify with. Even after his coronation, when people still despised him (10:27), Saul the king kept silent. And when he had successfully led the Israelites against the Ammonites, he did not want to put to death those who had openly opposed his kingship (10:13). Leaders who remain as approachable as they were before promotion are rare gems. Power is Satan's favourite weapon to ensnare people in leadership. So pray for pastors and church leaders to be unassuming and humble like Saul as they need to be role models of servanthood.