And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!” Then Samuel explained to the people the behavior of royalty, and wrote it in a book and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and valiant men were with him, whose hearts God had touched. But some rebels said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace. (1 Samuel 10:24-27)
As I read our focus passage I must confess I had to set aside a long ago formed bias against King Saul. That bias stems from learning that he had no heart for God, which in fact was true. However, he did not start out that way. So, with that being said, Saul’s beginning reminded me of some things that our Lord Jesus Christ experienced which was doubt and rejection. Saul also displayed some very Christ like attributes.
The final verse on our focus passage reveals those who rejected Saul with their words and actions. Saul heard and saw this rejection and he chose to hold his peace. We all have felt rejection from others, and of course the flesh wants to respond in one way, while the Spirit of God would have us respond in another that is quit the opposite. Jesus of course was the perfect example of how one should respond to rejection. Saul did display that, which took great self control, power that I believe came from the Holy Spirit.
The people demanded a king, so God gave them what they wanted. Saul was chosen by God, which means God with His Spirit also anointed him. Saul had started with great promise. Not only was he chosen and anointed by God, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, supported by a great man of God (Samuel), given gifts appropriate to royalty, supported by most of the nation, surrounded by valiant men whom God had touched, and was wise enough to not regard every doubter or critic as an enemy.
Those of us who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ as our King will face rejection by those who do not follow Him. How will you respond? Hopefully you can learn from this passage and respond as Saul did. Remember this when that will occur: they are not rejecting you, they are rejecting the true King Jesus, God’s Chosen One!
Dale LaFrance (please look up John 15:8, Luke 10:16)
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