Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, "Has not the Lord anointed you a ruler over His inheritance?"
Message: The Anointing of Saul
Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).
What the Lord is Saying: Saul has arrived in the land of Zuph, searching for donkeys that his father told him to find. In Zuph he wants to see a seer and that man ends up being Samuel. Samuel is to commission or anoint Saul as king, as directed by the Lord. These events are all part of God's plan.
Beginning Chapter 10, verse 1, Samuel takes a flask of oil and pours it on Saul's head, anointing him as a ruler. He tells Saul where to find the donkeys. They are near Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zuph. (Note: There is a little conflict here about Rachel's tomb and whether this is a memorial site because in Genesis it mentions Rachel's burial near Bethlehem.) Samuel gives Saul further direction, specifically mentioning men at Bethel and how to recognize them as they will give him two loaves of bread. Then he will encounter a group of prophets with musical instruments. It is there that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon Saul and he will be changed. There are a lot of great things that happen to Saul, the Lord choosing him, changing his heart, being with him, and the Spirit of God coming upon him mightily.
At the end of this section of scripture Saul's uncle comes on the scene and asks him about what all went on with the donkeys and in verse 15 says, "Tell me what Samuel said to you." But Saul's response in verse 16 was only about the donkeys and "did not tell him about the matter of the kingdom which Samuel had mentioned."
Here this is 3,000 years ago and with an opportunity to share truth with someone and testify to all that God has done in someone's life, Saul does not. He does not share and unfortunately this can be similar to many of us, like me. After a weekend of great revelation or a good time in church sometimes I don't mention church when people ask about my weekend. Instead I seem a little ashamed by it all.
Summary: Samuel anoints Saul with oil as Saul is still to do the will of God in humble reliance on the Spirit of God. But given the opportunity to testify of God's work, Saul hides it.
Promise: If given the opportunity, I need to be bold and testify of the Lord's work in my life.
Prayer: Lord, help me to never be ashamed. There was a man at the mall that felt like I did not speak always with much conviction, like I should have done a better job of asserting my beliefs. If this story really is what I say it is, then why am I not more compelling and why don't I have the urgency to deliver the message. Instead, I am more focused on other things going on in my life. Life is too complicated often or I make it that way and often I forget people. Lord, be number one in my life. Help me to prioritize you always.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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