BIG IDEA:
THE ANOINTING OF GOD’S CHOSEN LEADER WAS A MIXED BLESSING IN MANY RESPECTS – YET CLEARLY A DIVINE APPOINTMENT
(:1) INTRODUCTION: PRIVATE ANOINTING
A. Significance of the Anointing
1. Significance of use of oil
Roper: “Prior to this there were only two occasions when anointings took place. Priests were anointed, and the sanctuary was anointed. Anointing with oil is a symbol of the pouring out of the Spirit of God upon someone. It is a sign of God’s approval. It is a seal that a person is pleasing to him, and that therefore he is pouring himself out upon that person. And now God, in this very picturesque way, is showing Saul that his pleasure rests upon him, that he is instituting the monarchy, establishing Saul as the king. Then there follow three signs which Samuel gives Saul which are confirmatory of his anointing.”
2. Significance of the pouring
Reference to the activity of the Holy Spirit
3. Significance of the kiss from Samuel
Blaikie: “The kiss which he gave him was the kiss of homage, a very old way of recognizing sovereignty (Ps. ii. 12), and still kept up in the custom of kissing the sovereign’s hand after elevation to office or dignity.”
B. Proclamation of Divine Coronation
“Has not the Lord anointed you a ruler over His inheritance?”
I. (:2-8) PROPHECY OF CONFIRMING SIGNS
Ryrie: “Saul was promised three signs, which would serve to authenticate Samuel’s authority to anoint him king and to confirm God’s will in the matter.”
A. (:2) Confirming Sign #1 – God Can Solve Our Problems
The donkeys have been found!
B. (:3-4) Confirming Sign #2 – God Can Provide Our Daily Bread (Material Needs)
Gift of 2 loaves of bread
C. (:5-6) Confirming Sign #3 – God Can Transform and Empower for Service
Saul joins the ranks of the prophets
D. (:7-8) Final Instructions / Pivotal Test
1. (:7) Final Instructions
Bank on the promise that “God is with you” – this should free you to take the appropriate action in any situation
2. (:8) Pivotal Test
Exhibit patience (even in times of extreme pressure) and dependence upon the Lord; do not act presumptuously
II. (:9-13) FULFILLMENT OF CONFIRMING SIGNS
A. (:9) Summary of Fulfillment – Divine Empowerment – A Changed Heart
“Then it happened when he turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came about on that day.”
B. (:10) Fulfillment of Final Sign – Prophesying by the Spirit of God
C. (:11-12) Reaction of Surprise from His Neighbors
D. (:13) Transition –
“When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.”
III. (:14-16) ASIDE: LEADERS MUST BE ADEPT AT KEEPING CONFIDENCES AND EXERCISING DISCRETION
Samuel is grilled by his uncle who was curious as to the details of his conversation with Samuel; but Saul only shared what was appropriate for public knowledge at the time. There would have been a potential for chaos and disruption if he had let the cat out of the bag before the public coronation.
IV. (:17-27) PUBLIC CORONATION AND DEDICATION
Gordon: “To this point Saul’s appointment has been kept secret; now, in response to the earlier demand of the tribal elders (8:4-22), Samuel convenes a public assembly at which Saul can be presented as God’s choice as king. But the new ruler will not necessarily be welcomed on Samuel’s say-so, and the process of election by lot will have to be undergone so that there will be no doubt as to whom God favours. Even with this precaution there will be some who will question the appropriateness of the choice (v. 27).”
A. (:17) Convocation at Mizpah Introduced
“Thereafter Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah.”
B. (:18-19a) Condemnation of the People’s Rejection of the Theocracy
1. Historical examples of Redemption and Deliverance
“But you today rejected your God, who delivers you from all your calamities and your distresses”
2. Granting of Their Stubborn Demand
“set a king over us”
C. (:19b-21) Confirmation of God’s Choice by the Process of Lot Casting
D. (:22) Cowardice of Saul in Trying to Hide from His New Responsibilities
Found “hiding himself by the baggage”
E. (:23-24) Coronation of Saul Before the People
1. Physically impressive
“he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward”
2. Divinely selected
“Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen?”
3. Charismatic presence
“Surely there is no one like him among all the people”
4. Well-received by the masses
“Long live the king!” – phrase still used in England
F. (:25) Constitution of the Kingdom Ratified and Preserved
“Then Samuel told the people the ordinances of the kingdom, and wrote them in the book and placed it before the Lord.”
Corresponding privileges and responsibilities of the king and of the people
G. (:26-27) Contrasting Reactions
1. Reception by Many
“and the valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him.”
2. Rejection by a Few
“But certain worthless men said, ‘How can this one deliver us?’ And they despised him and did not bring him any present.”
3. Reserve on the part of Saul
“But he kept silent.”