Friday 6 December 2024
Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one whom the Lord has chosen?" (v. 24)
Background
Mizpah was one of three places where Samuel regularly administered justice in Israel (1 Samuel 7:16), It was also a place where the Israelites had won a great victory over the Philistines (7:10f). Having received the elders of Israel at his home in Ramah (8:4) to hear their plea for a king to govern them, Samuel summons them to meet him in this place of judgment to give them an answer.
If you read the intervening chapters you will know what the answer is going to be. 1 Samuel 9 tells the story of Samuel’s first encounter with Saul, the son of Kish. Saul, looking for some missing donkeys, finds his way to Samuel, stays the night, and is anointed by him to be king of Israel. Saul, however, has not disclosed this part of his adventure. God’s election of Saul in secret is now made public at this assembly, through the drawing of lots. (vs 20-21)
When the lot finally falls on Saul, he is not there but is soon discovered ‘hidden among the baggage’ (v. 22). Whether this represents a real humility on Saul’s part or a pretended reluctance to assume the responsibilities of kingship is not clear: the writer tells us very little about Saul’s thoughts or feelings. The effect, though, is to emphasise that Saul is God’s choice.
This is not the only example in the books of Samuel and Kings where we get a double version of someone’s ascent to the monarchy. There are different accounts of the David’s route to the throne and two stories of how Jeroboam came to displace Solomon’s son. This might be explained by the author (or the editor) of the history having more than one tradition on which to draw. Alternatively, it might suggest that sometimes God’s call to a person comes through multiple voices, both so that it might be heard by and accepted by the person concerned and so that it might be confirmed to anyone doubtful. Those who have listened to candidates talking about a call to ordained ministry or local preachers on trial describing their journeys might spot echoes of this in the testimonies they hear.
The anointing of Saul as king was a significant change in Israel and one about which Samuel was unhappy from the beginning (for example, see 8:6). While (given the manifest unsuitability of Samuel’s sons to take power) it solved the question of the succession, it left two sources of authority in the nation. Saul assumed what we might call political power, while Samuel retained the responsibility for the cult, as prophet and priest. The next few chapters relate how that tension played out.
To Ponder:
- ‘Word in Time’ focuses on selected passages and therefore will miss out some parts of the story. You might want to read 10:25-15:35 to find out what happens next in the partnership between Saul and Samuel. Where are your sympathies?
- Christians believe that God calls people to particular responsibilities in the Church and in society. Does modesty help or get in the way?
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Jonathan Hustler
Jonathan Hustler is a presbyter who currently serves as the Secretary of the Conference.