1 Samuel 10-12

The announcement was made to the crowd of Israel; “Look on your king.”  The words fell on the ears of the crowd and the people took in the sight of the man.  The assembly had never seen a man like this one and they responded with shouts to the introduction.  The Bible tells us of two times that this scene took place.  Most Christians are very familiar with the second time; when Pilate forced the scourged Jesus to stand before a crowd seeking to condemn him.  That time the introduction was intended to be a mockery and the response of the crowd was a call for his death.  But there was an earlier time when the introduction of the king led the people in shouts of jubilation.  In 1 Samuel 10:23-24 the young man Saul, son of Kish, stood next to the prophet Samuel hear the announcement of his name as God’s chosen king.  Both men were chosen to be king by God.  Both were raised up when Israel was under the oppression of an outside force.  Both were preceded by a mighty prophet.  Both men died in disgrace and defeat at the hands of their enemies.  But there is more contrast in the two situations then there are similarities.  Saul claimed an earthly kingdom.  As Saul’s rule increase so did his ego and dependence upon himself.  These things eventually led to the failure of his faith and his rejection by God.  Jesus left his throne to live among the servants.  He never elevated himself but allowed God to humble him repeatedly throughout his life.  Jesus grew less and less dependent upon himself which deepened his faith in God so that he could be raised to an eternal throne as a display of his acceptance by God.  Saul’s death was empty and meaningless.  Jesus’ death brought hope, life, and eternal forgiveness.  For two men who wore the same title their lives were radically different before their God.

Stuart