So all the people went to Gilgal, and there in the Lord’s presence they made Saul king. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings in the Lord’s presence, and Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. (1 Samuel 11:15)
In this chapter we see several important things:
- A people under siege by their enemy Nahash and the Ammonites
- A man moved by the Spirit of God to free God’s people and rescue them from impending humiliation
- A great deliverance by God through the hand of His servant
- His servant is crowned king
The people of Jabesh-gilead were besieged, facing defeat by their enemy the Ammonites and their leader Nahash. Seeking to avoid annihilation the people sought to make a treaty with Nahash. As a way to humiliate them and also to avoid a future uprising he agreed to a peace treaty on the condition that he gouges out everyone’s right eye, a fairly common practice back then (think Samson, Judges 16:21). Distraught with the terms given to them, the people sought someone to deliver them. That someone was Saul.
Now Saul, though a deeply flawed man (as we will see in later chapters) was chosen by God, and moved by the Spirit to bring deliverance to the people of Jabesh-gilead, a victory for which God ultimately received the glory. Saul at that time was a valiant and mighty warrior whose devotion was to God. It was immediately after this victory that Samuel the prophet crowned him and the Israelites finally had their king. This was a great moment in the history of Israel and a cause for celebration.
Looking back on history we have the luxury of knowing what happens later when he loses the crown to David because of pride and sin, but for now, at this time, he is the chosen one—he is God’s choice. We must not look past the fact that he was a servant of God and cared very much about His people, and was careful to give God the glory (“today the Lord has provided deliverance in Israel” v.13). He wasn’t always wicked. He had many admirable traits. God had raised this man to be king for such a time as this, even if it would eventually give way to a greater successor.
Whatever God’s calling is in our life we should embrace it, being careful to give glory to God, and seek His way, not our own. Like Saul, we should care about God’s reputation and the welfare of His people, and should an opportunity present itself, do everything in our power to act on their behalf and for their benefit, to the glory of God. We should be sensitive to how the Spirit might be moving in us like He did Saul, to do some good work for someone else, big or small.