B. Kingship Given to Saul chs. 8-12

"Clearly these five chapters constitute a literary unit, for they are immediately preceded by the formula that marks the end of the story of a judge (7:13-17) and immediately followed by the formula that marks the beginning of the account of a reign (13:1; . . .). The divisions of the unit . . . alternate between negative and positive attitudes toward monarchy (not as contradictory but as complementary): 8:1-22, negative; 9:1-10:16, positive; 10:17-27, negative; 11:1-11, positive; 11:12-12:25, negative . . ."⁹³

In this section and the next (chs. 13-15) the writer skillfully contrasted the blessing that comes as a result of obeying God's will with the cursing that comes from disobedience. Chapters 8-12 are generally positive and record Saul's successes. The section opens and closes with Samuel giving a warning to the Israelites.

 1. The demand for a king ch. 8

 2. The anointing of Saul 9:1-10:16

In chapters 9-11 the writer painted Saul as the ideal man to serve as king from the human viewpoint. This pericope (9:1-10:16) sets forth his personal conduct.¹⁰⁰

 3. The choice of Saul by lot 10:17-27

"Saul's rise to kingship over Israel took place in three distinct stages: He was (1) anointed by Samuel (9:1-10:16), (2) chosen by lot (10:17-27), and (3) confirmed by public acclamation (11:1-15).¹¹²

Saul's anointing had been private, but his choice by lot was public.

Mizpah was the scene of Israel's previous spiritual revival and victory over the Philistines (7:5-13). Perhaps Samuel chose this site for Saul's public presentation because of those events. As we have noted, the tabernacle may have been there as well. Samuel took the opportunity to remind Israel that Yahweh was Israel's real deliverer so the people would not put too much confidence in their new king (v. 18; cf. Exod. 20:2; Deut. 5:6; Judg. 6:8-9). He also reminded them of their rebellion against God's will (v. 19).¹¹³

The lot (v. 20) showed all Israel that Saul was God's choice, not Samuel's (cf. Josh. 7:14-18). That is, he was the king God permitted (Prov. 16:33). Was Saul hiding because he was humble or because he was afraid to assume the mantel of leadership? My judgment is that he was humble since there are other indications of this quality in chapters 9 and 10 (cf. Prov. 25:6-7).

". . . there seems to have been a modesty that was combined with a shy temperament."¹¹⁴

However, he may also have been wisely reluctant to assume the role and responsibilities of Israel's king. The Lord had chosen Saul (v. 24) because he would be God's instrument. Saul had the potential of becoming a great king of Israel. Consequently Samuel commended him, and most of the people supported him (vv. 24, 27). They cried, "Long live the king!"

"It [this cry] represents now, as it did then, the enthusiastic hopes of the citizenry that their monarch may remain hale and hearty in order to bring their fondest dreams to fruition."¹¹⁵

The ancient tell of Gibeah (v. 26) now stands three miles north of modern Jerusalem the buildings of which are clearly visible from the site. God further blessed Saul by inclining the hearts of valient men in Israel to support him. There were some, however, who did not support him. They were evidently looking on Saul's natural abilities as essential to Israel's success and were forgetting that Yahweh was the real source of her hope (v. 27; cf. Judg. 6:15-16). Saul was a wise enough man not to demand acceptance by every individual in Israel (cf. Prov. 14:29; Rom. 12:19; James 1:19-20). The reason he failed later was not because he lacked wisdom.

Throughout these verses Saul behaved in an exemplary fashion. However notice that the writer made no reference to his regard for God or God's Word. To all appearances Saul was very capable of serving as Israel's king. This is what the people wanted. They wanted a man similar to themselves to lead them. That is exactly what God gave them.

". . . it remains very clear that God did not choose this king for Himself, but rather for the people. In other words, though God actually appointed Saul, Saul did not in the final analysis represent God's choice, but the people's choice."¹¹⁶

Yet God gave them a man with great personal strengths: wisdom, humility, sensitivity, physical attractiveness, and wealth. His gift of Saul was a good gift, as are all God's gifts to His people (Luke 11:9-13). God did not give Israel a time bomb just waiting to go off. Saul failed because of the choices he made, not because he lacked the qualities necessary to succeed.

 4. Saul's effective leadership in battle 11:1-11

Israel's king not only needed to be an admirable individual in his personal conduct, but he also needed to be an effective military commander. The writer pointed out Saul's abilities in this area in this chapter. The nation consequently united behind him because of his success. This was the third divine indication that God had chosen Saul to lead Israel following his private anointing and his public choice by lot.

 5. The confirmation of Saul as king 11:12-12:25