1 Samuel 8-11

March 24

1 Samuel 8-11

Israel did not like being different. They wanted to fit in with the other nations. They had rejected God and rebelled against him ever since He delivered them from Egypt. Now they rejected Him as their king. They were a theocracy, God was their King. He watched over them. But that was not good enough, they wanted to be like the other nations, they wanted a human king.

God gave them what they wanted. He told Samuel to anoint Saul as the first king of Israel. After he was anointed, Samuel told Saul;  "The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you." (1 Samuel 10:6-7, NIV) As long as Saul worked with God and with Samuel all was well. God blessed Saul and Israel.

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon particular people for particular tasks. Since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fills believers in Jesus and He makes us into new creations. He gives each of us the power to do exceedingly more than all we can ask or imagine if we will walk in obedience to Him. Saul was the first king. There were more to follow. A few were good and obeyed God. Most were evil in God’s eyes.

Jesus came as King of Kings. He is the one we are called to follow. We will be strangers in this world if we follow Jesus, but He will deliver us from captivity and  lead us into His Kingdom.