Be careful what you ask for

They asked for it.  And they got what they asked for.  The Israelites wanted a king, oh so badly.  They sent a delegation of elders to speak to the prophet, Samuel. (An aside: beware the delegation that comes knocking without heed to God’s purposes).  

They said: “Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.” (1 Samuel 8:5)  “That we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles”  (1 Samuel 8:20); sounds like noble reasons to have a king. However, earlier on:. “And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7)

So, God gave them a king, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin. “And he had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.”  (1 Samuel 9:2).    From 1 Samuel 10:23, 24: “So they ran and took him from there, and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.  And Samuel said to all the people: “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen?  Surely there is no one like him among all the people.  So all the people shouted and said: “Long live the king!”

Discussing this in our small group, it was said that the people chose someone who was ‘tall and handsome;’ hardly good qualities for ruling a nation-so vain and so shallow.  I, in a way-too-authoritative-voice, stated that it was actually God who had chosen Saul, as in the above verse and also here: “When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, ‘Behold the man of whom I spoke to you!  This one shall rule over my people,” (1 Samuel 9:17).  And while this is true, it is also true that God chose the one that the people wanted.  Basically, God gave them a King “after their own hearts,” in direct contrast to their next king, David, whom God said was a man after His own heart. 

I am very glad that the ladies in our small group gave their understanding of the passages, as I was in need of a more gentle and humble spirit; I owe them an apology.  It was a fitting lesson to be drawn out of the biblical narrative of judging by appearances and rushing to conclusions; both of which the Israelites had done in wanting a king and what I had done with an overbearing attitude of superiority.  It was also a direct application from our pastor’s morning message, whereby he challenged us to always, everywhere, be focused on pleasing God. 

Saul turned out to be quite the wrecking ball.  The nation was at war and in chaos for the thirty-two years that Saul reigned as king.   He harboured an insane jealousy of David, whom the people had honoured above him, evil spirits haunted him, he used a witch to call up Samuel from the dead, he tried to murder his own son and he died an ignoble death; to name only a few of his missteps.  Well, the people had asked for a king and essentially got what they deserved, a king after their own hearts; handsome, tall and perhaps “dark,” in the sense that he was so proficient at not obeying God.

Be careful what you ask for; you just might get it.

In a world that is still characterized by much war, violence and sin, I pray: “Oh God, spare me from setting myself up as king; but rather let me be one who is after your own heart, so that I might be a light in a dark and dreary land.”  I am greatly heartened by Samuel’s prayer, during the reign of King Saul: “Moreover, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way,” (1 Samuel 12:23).