April 11: 1 Samuel 9:1 – 1 Samuel 12:25

Saul Chosen to Be King – 1 Samuel 9

• In the land of Benjamin lives a man of wealth named Saul. He was taller than all others from his shoulders upward and was more handsome than any other man. The donkeys of Saul's father, Kish, are lost, so Kish sends Saul in search of them. He passes through the lands of Ephraim and Benjamin but is unable to find them.
• While in the land of Zuph, Saul tells his servant that they should return home, but the servant points out that a man of God (a seer) who lives in the city and they should ask him the way to go. They agree to take a quarter of a shekel of silver to the man.
• God has already told Samuel that He would send him the man to be anointed king. When Samuel sees Saul, God tells him that this is the man. He invites Saul and the servant to go an eat with him and tells them that their donkeys have been found. Saul asks why Samuel would invite him, because he is of the least of the tribes. Samuel gives the men places at the head of the table. Saul sleeps on the roof of Samuel's home that night, then in the morning he and the servant take leave, but Samuel sends the servant on so he can make know to Saul the word of the Lord.

Saul Anointed King – 1 Samuel 10

• Samuel takes a flask of oil and anoints Saul's head and kisses him, telling him he has been anointed by God as price of Israel. He tells Saul that when he and his servant leave, they will find men by Rachel's tomb. They will then find men, at the oak of Tabor, going up to God at Bethel. He is to receive to loaves of bread from them and go to Gilbeath-elohim, where a group of prophets will meet him. The Spirit of God will rush upon Saul, and he will prophesy and be turned into another man. He is then to go to Gilgal, where Samuel will meet him to offer burnt and peace offerings. He is to wait there seven days for Samuel.
• God gives Saul another heart, he meets the prophets and the Spirit of the Lord rushes on him. Saul's uncle asks him where he has been, and Saul tells him that he has been seeking his father's donkeys, which have been found, but he doesn't tell him about Samuel and the anointing.

Saul Proclaimed King

• Samuel calls the people together in Mizpah and reminds them that they have rejected God and asked for a king. All the tribes are brought together, and Saul is chosen by lot. Samuel presents him, and the people shout, "Long live the king!" Samuel writes the rights and duties of kingship in a book, and sends the people away. Some men of valor go home with Saul, but some worthless fellows despise him. Saul holds his peace.

Saul Defeats the Ammonites – 1 Samuel 11

• Nahash the Ammonite besieges Jabesh-gilead, and the people there ask him to make a treaty with them and they will serve him. Nahash agrees if he can gouge out their right eyes, bringing disgrace on all Israel. The elders ask for seven days' time to send messengers to the rest of Israel, and if no one comes to their aid, they will give themselves up to Nahash.
• Saul is in the field working and people tell him the news about Jabesh. The Spirit of God rushes upon Saul and he is greatly angered. He takes a yoke of oxen, cuts them in pieces, and sends the pieces to all the tribes, warning them that if they do not help, their oxen will be cut up as well. The men muster together, 100,000 of Israel and 30,000 of Judah. They strike down the Ammonites.

The Kingdom Is Renewed

• The people ask Samuel to bring out the people who questioned Saul's rule, that they might be put to death. Saul replies that no one is to be executed, because God has worked salvation for Israel. Samuel summons the people to Gilgal, where the kingdom is renewed and Saul is made king.

Samuel's Farewell Address – 1 Samuel 12

• Samuel tells the people that he has obeyed their command by placing a king over them, and asks them to testify to his integrity. They do, and say the Lord is witness to this. Samuel reminds the people of all God has done for them since bringing them out of Egypt and exhorts them to fear and worship the Lord. He then tells them to watch the great thing that the Lord will do (send thunder and rain when it doesn't rain during the wheat harvest).
• God sends thunder and rain, and the people are terrified. Samuel tells them not to be afraid and again exhorts them to not go back to worshiping their idols and tells them that God will not abandon them. He also warns them that if they continue to sin, they and their king will be swept away.