Deeper Reflection
GOD INTENDED for Israel to have a king, as revealed in Hannah’s song – “His king…His anointed” (1 Sam 2:10; Deut 17:14-20) – but a king of God’s choice, in God’s way and in God’s time. Then Israel wanted to have a king, which displeased God, because Israel was essentially rejecting God as their king (vv.4-7). But Israel insisted and God “listen[ed] to their voice” (1 Sam 8:9, 22). Did God give way to Israel’s will? No. God is sovereign. So Israel had their king, despite God’s warning of the consequences (1 Sam 8:10-20): Saul (1 Sam 9-10). Saul was a king of Israel’s choice – “the king whom you have chosen” (1 Sam 12:13) and a king of God’s choice – “him whom the LORD has chosen” (1 Sam 10:24). But it was God’s choice according to Israel’s voice – “whom you asked” (1 Sam 12:13). God is sovereign. Saul turned out to be a disappointment before God, after a grand start in delivering Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites (1 Sam 11). Saul was self-centred and persistent in disobeying God (1 Sam 15). God “regretted that He had made Saul king” and “rejected” him (1 Sam 15:35; 16:1). Has God failed? No. God is sovereign. God restarted – “I have selected a king for Myself” (1 Sam 16:1; see 1 Sam 13:14): David. But Saul opposed God’s purpose by seeking to destroy David. Eventually, Saul was killed by the Philistines, thus preparing the way for David to be king – both according to God’s Word (1 Sam 28:17-19; 31:1-6). God is sovereign over everything.