Saul prophesying among the prophets Painting by James Tissot Jewish Museum, New York
Israel Ignores God's Will
As long as Samuel was leader of Israel, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines and the towns they had captured were returned to Israel. But when Samuel was old, he appinted his sons Joel and Abijah as his successors. The problem was they did not follow the ways of their father. So the leaders of Israel approached Samuel and said:
“You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” (1 Samuel 8:5)
Samuel was very unhappy with their demand and prayed to the LORD for advice. God replied:
“ Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” (1 Samuel 8:7-9)
Samuel reported what God had said and pointed out how a king would demand complete obedience and loyalty from his subjects, whatever job they were given. But the people refused to listen to Samuel.
“No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Samuel 8:19-20)
When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord.
The Lord answered, “ Listen to them and give them a king.” (1 Samuel 8:21-22)
Saul Anointed King of Israel
Saul was out looking for his father Kish's donkeys he had lost, when he came across Samuel going to conduct a sacrifice at a high place near the town of Zuph. He told his servant to give Samuel money to tell them where the donkeys were, because Samuel was in touch with God. Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel:
“About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”
When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”
Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer's house is?”
“I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart. As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?” (1 Samuel 9:19-20)
Saul was reluctant to agree he was the one God had chosen to be king because he was from the smallest of the twelve tribes, the tribe of Benjamin. But after dining with Samuel. at daybreak the pair set off together until Samuel told the servant to go ahead of them, while Saul remained with him because he had a message from God for him.
Samuel prophesied several definite events that would happen as Saul went to Gilgal and waited seven days until Samuel came with more orders from God about what to do. But he must wait for Samuel to arrive. These were:
• Samuel predicted he would meet two men who would say such and such, and it happened.
• Samuel predicted that he would meet three men who would give him two loaves of bread, and it happened.
• Samuel predicted that he would meet a band of prophets and he would prophesy, and it happened.
As Samuel left, God confirmed all the signs he had given him and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon Saul and he joined in with a group of prophets who were prophesying.
Samuel Anoints Saul as King At Mizpah
Samuel anointed Saul as king again before the crowd that had assembled and the people shouted "Long live the king!"
Samuel explained to the people the rights and responsibilities of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes. (1 Samuel 9:25)