In today’s reading, we see Israel’s official transition from having God as their king to having a man as king. Israel wanted a king like all the other nations of the earth rather than the all-powerful God who made all nations and kings. What a stunning rejection of God who took them, a small, insignificant people, and made them into a nation known among all nations (Deuteronomy 7:7–8, 22).
So how does God respond to this rejection, this incredible thankless ingratitude toward His kindness to them? Notice what Samuel says to the people of Israel.
For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. (1 Samuel 12:22, ESV)
Now, this doesn’t mean He won’t chasten them, but it does mean that though Israel rejects God as King, He will not abandon them! Why? He will not abandon them for His name’s sake, for the sake of the promises he made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and because God delights in His people! He delights in His unworthy people!
So what does God do with this rejection and request from Israel? Does God say I don’t like them because they don’t like me? Does He say because they reject me, I reject them? No! God warns them through Samuel that their choice will be costly, yet He continues to work with them and love them in His patience. It is not a coincidence that the king God chose for Israel pictures for Israel a time when they were small and humble before God. Notice Saul’s reaction to Samuel when Samuel tells Saul about his future.
Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?” (1 Samuel 9:21, NLT)
Wow! Israel missed the picture that God was graciously showing them. In time, even Saul would forget his humble beginnings, too.
Believers, where did God find us? According to the Bible, He found us spiritually dead in our sins, following the god of this world, disobedient, living according to the passions of our flesh, rejecting God (Ephesians 2:1–3). But what did God do? Did God reject us because we rejected Him? No! He showed us His mercy and love and, by His grace, gave us a seat at His table in Heaven (Ephesians 2:4–6)! Why did He do this? That He might show kindness for the ages to come—sounds like He delights in us (Ephesians 2:7-10)!
With all of this in mind, let us not fall to one of our biggest enemies—forgetfulness. God earnestly told Israel not to forget where they came from and what He had done for them (Deuteronomy 4:9). Likewise, let us continually stir up our minds, remembering God’s past goodness, His present mercy, and the glory we will share with His Son.
Thank you for joining with me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 1 Samuel 9:1-12:25.