SENIOR
AGE
GROUP: 14 - 15 YEARS
STANDARD
(GRADE): IX & X
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LESSON – 15
SAUL THE FIRST KING OF ISRAEL
Theocracy
In the earlier lessons we saw how Israel was ruled over by various judges. One of the famous judges of Israel was Samuel. He was also the last judge of Israel. The Government of ancient Israel was different from other countries, while other countries had kings ruling over them, the nation of Israel had God ruling over them as King. That’s why God is praised as the King of Israel. This arrangement of Government, practiced in ancient Israel was called a “Theocracy.” In Theocracy, God is the head and the supreme authority of the country, therefore he Himself chooses the leaders to govern the nation on his behalf. In ancient Israel, the leaders who were chosen by God to govern the nation on his behalf were called as “Judges.”
The Rule of Judges
Moses was the first God-appointed leader of Israel after their deliverance from Egyptian slavery. Moses was followed by his servant Joshua, who led Israel into their promised land Canaan. Although Moses and Joshua both judged Israel, the period of Judges is usually counted from the time Othniel started to judge Israel after the death of Joshua. The period of Judges extended for about 350 years and it ended with Samuel. After the end of the era of judges, Kings started to rule Israel. This lesson is about the events that led to the ending of the rule of Judges and the anointing of the first King of Israel, Saul.
Samuel – the Last Judge of Israel
Samuel, who had heard the voice of the Lord as a child and who grew up to be prophet became one of the greatest judges of Israel. He had a busy schedule and travelled all over Israel year after year to judge the people of Israel. When Samuel became old, he appointed his sons Joel and Abijah as the judges of Israel. But to everyone’s disappointment, Samuel’s sons did not walk in their father’s ways. They were interested in dishonest profit and accepted bribes. They also perverted justice, causing innocent people to suffer. Samuel was a faithful and righteous judge but his sons were not. So, the Israelites were unwilling to let them be their judge.
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Israelites Demand for a King
The people of Israel rejected Samuel’s sons as judges over them. They desired to have a human King, who was physically present among them to rule over them, so that they could be like the other nations around them. This upset Samuel, not for his sons, but for the nation of Israel. Israel was the chosen nation of God, and God ruled over them as their king. By saying that they wanted a human king like other nations, they have rejected God as their king. This made Samuel sad.
Samuel’s warnings about the king
Samuel prayed to God and asked for His guidance. The Lord told Samuel to do as the people asked, but first to tell them what it would be like to have a king. A king would take their sons to be warriors, and their daughters to be workers in the royal household; he would take the best of everything they owned (crops, cattle, and so on). They would eventually become slaves to the king. Even though Israel had never had a king, the Lord knew all along that they would want one. He had even given the qualifications for a king and rules for governing the nation, through his servant Moses, while they were living in the Sinai desert itself (Deuteronomy 17:14 – 20).
Saul meets Samuel
There was a wealthy man named Kish in the Tribe of Benjamin. He had a son named Saul who was handsome and taller than any other Israelite. In the olden days, the Israelites reared cattle including donkeys, which were used as means of transport and beasts of burden. Donkeys were considered a valuable possession. Saul’s father Kish also reared donkeys. Once, the donkeys wandered off and were missing, so Kish sent his son and his servant to go and look for the donkeys. When they couldn’t find the donkeys, they decided to go to the seer, Prophet Samuel to request his help to locate the donkeys. In those days, judges were also called “Seers.” A seer is a person who can see with his spiritual eyes what a normal person cannot see. He can understand and interpret things that are obscure and vague to others. He can also foresee the future through divine guidance and power.
Saul Anointed as King
When Prophet Samuel met Saul, the Lord revealed to Samuel that this was the new king. So, Prophet Samuel invited Saul to stay with him. He also told him not to worry about the donkeys since they have been found. Saul did not know that God had chosen him as the king of Israel. That day they had a sacrificial meal and Saul was given the seat of honour. The next day, when Saul was about to leave, Prophet Samuel anointed his head with oil. In the Old Testament days, a person was anointed with oil, which meant oil (usually olive oil) was poured on his head to indicate that he has been appointed as a priest or king. Samuel told Saul that God had chosen him to be the king of Israel. As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God gave Saul a change of heart and he got the ability to prophecy.
Saul Introduced as King Formally
Few days later, Samuel gathered all the tribes of Israel at Mizbah. He announced that according to their demand, God would be giving them a king. Samuel singled out the tribe of Benjamin from the other 12 tribes; then from the tribe of Benjamin, the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Kish’s son, Saul was chosen. But Saul was overwhelmed and he hid behind some baggage. But God revealed where he was hiding, and the young man was presented in front of the people. Saul was handsome. He was the tallest in the crowd. The Israelites were ecstatic that they too have got a king physically present among them like the other nations and shouted, “Long live the king!” As per the Law of Moses, Saul could not be absolute monarchy. There were regulations given by God for the king as well as for the people (I Samuel 10:25; Deuteronomy 17: 14-20). An absolute monarchy is a form of government in which a single person usually a king or queen would hold absolute autocratic power, which meant that the decisions taken by them cannot be challenged by anyone.
King Saul begins His Reign
Samuel told the people what the rights and duties of a king were. He wrote them down on a scroll and placed it before the Lord, so that the people wouldn’t forget. After the ceremony was finished Samuel sent everyone back to their own homes. All the people returned to their homes and Saul went to his home in Gibeah. As the first king of Israel, Saul had nothing – no army, no palace, and no royal city. As he travelled to his home some valiant (courageous) men went home with him. While most of the people were pleased with their new king there were some people who were unwilling to accept him as king. They scorned and ignored him. They did not honour him as king by bringing gifts as was the custom in those days. Saul was humble and was not offended. Even though he was a king, he did not punish them. Saul ignored those people and kept silent.
After Samuel anointed him before the people, Saul went back to his home in Gibeah. He continued to work on his father’s land until he was needed to lead the people in battle to deliver the city of Jabesh Gilead from the Ammonites. Saul being anointed as the first king, marked the beginning of a new era for the Israelites. Saul was obedient and humble and started out very well, but once he got settled in his position, he began to ignore God’s commands.
King Saul’s Disobedience
Once the Israelites were getting ready for a battle against the Philistines. King Saul wanted to offer a sacrifice before leaving for the battle. Prophet Samuel was the priest and he had to offer the sacrifice. When Samuel did not arrive on time, King Saul offered the sacrifice himself, even though he was not a priest. God was not pleased and God decided to take the kingship away from him. Another time Prophet Samuel told King Saul to attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything they had. But King Saul left the King of the Amalekites, Agag alive and also the best sheep, oxen, lambs and all the things that were good and destroyed only those that were worthless. Samuel asked him why he had disobeyed God. Saul blamed the people saying that they kept the best sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel told Saul that it is better to obey God’s commands than to sacrifice. Because he disobeyed God and has rejected his word, God has rejected him as the king.
King Saul’s other mistakes
King Saul also went against God when he killed the Gibeonite slaves of Israel. He thought he was doing a favour to Israel by destroying them, without knowing that Israel was under a curse because of his actions (II Samuel 21:1,2). The Gibeonites were protected under a special oath because of the covenant they had made with Joshua and the God of Israel (Joshua 9). King Saul was also jealous of David, a man after God’s own heart and sought to kill him. King Saul had also ordered the killing of priests. The spirit of God left King Saul and he was tormented by an evil spirit.
King Saul consults a Witch
After some years Prophet Samuel was dead, and the army of the Philistines had gathered to fight against Israel again. Seeing the vast army of the enemy, Saul became afraid and he decided to inquire of the Lord. However, God was no longer speaking to Saul because of his continual disobedience. Then Saul decided to enquire to the evil spirits through witch craft. Saul had previously chased all the witches out of the land. Discovering that there was a woman living at the town of En Dor performing witch craft, Saul disguised himself and came to the witch of En Dor at night. He asked her to bring up the Prophet Samuel for him through witch craft. A form that appeared like Samuel came and predicted that Saul would die the next day. King Saul was devastated. Can an evil witch predict the future correctly? We have to understand that satan has limited power and authority, only God has absolute authority. Since Saul had committed himself to the power of the evil spirit, the evil spirit could predict and control his life.
King Saul’s End
The day after King Saul consulted the witch, there was a great battle fought on the side of Mount Gilboa. The Philistines climbed up the mountain and attacked the Israelites. Many of the men of Israel were killed and many more fled away. Saul’s three sons were also killed. When king Saul saw that defeat was imminent, he asked his armor-bearer to draw his sword and kill him. But the armor-bearer refused. So, King Saul fell upon his own sword and killed himself. Thus came to an end the reign of Saul, which began well, but ended in failure and in ruin, because Saul disobeyed and forsook God and his commandments. But God had another man ready, a man after his own heart to lead the people of Israel
Bible Reference: I Samuel 9, 10
Memory Verse: I Timothy 2:1, 2
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
Fill in the blanks:
1. The period of Judges is usually counted from the time ………………. started to judge Israel
2. Saul was from the tribe of ……………………...
3. Saul was …………………… than any other person in Israel.
4. As per the Law of Moses, Saul could not be ………………… monarchy.
Give short answers:
1. What is “Theocracy”?
2. Write about the period of judges?
3. Why did the Israelites reject Samuel’s sons as their judges?
4. Write about the qualities of Saul?
Answer in brief:
1. Write in brief about the events that happened when Saul met Samuel for the first time?
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