Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Settling for Second Best Read 1 Samuel 9:1–10:16 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people." 1 Samuel 9:17 Although God knows a certain plan may not be good for us, if we persist and clamour for it, He may let us have it! A king is certainly not easy to please. The subjects will be enslaved by him and God basically wants His people to be free. God had great plans for the future prosperity of His people, blessed by His personal management and guidance. But they rejected Him. It seems that they preferred to be enslaved again by a human monarch like they were in Egypt. Although it was not His will that Israel should have a king, God did not abandon Israel but personally took pains to choose a king for them. Even Samuel must have been surprised that Saul was the chosen one. Saul was looking for missing donkeys, not some heroic pursuit. Saul himself had to be convinced and given proof that he was God’s choice (10:1). But Samuel did not query God. In fact the amount of instructions he had to give was rather astounding in detail. This almost sounds like an Asian mother giving her unending instructions to a son who is taking up his first assignment overseas. It was God who changed Saul’s heart (10:9) to fit him to be king. It has been said that he was changed instantaneously from a kid to a king, from a rancher to a ruler! God’s chosen king must have a heart totally submitted to God’s leading. Never settle for the second best when God has the best in store for you.B126