“True, there were some scoundrels who said, ‘How can this man save us?‘ They showed him no respect and brought him no gift, but he held his peace.”-1 Samuel 10:27
So in verse 27, we’re told there were some BENE-BELIAL (sons of Belial) or no-good scoundrels who refused to accept Saul as king.
Why were they considered scoundrels?
Simply because they refused to accept God’s will in this matter.
That was considered incredibly disrespectful.
These men didn’t even bring Saul a gift which was customary in those times.
Now, as I mentioned in an earlier post, the majority of these scoundrels no doubt hailed from the southern tribes who weren’t too happy about having a king loyal to the northern tribes ruling over them.
My reaction to this is a mixed bag…
For sure, it was incredibly rude of them to act the way they did toward the new king because ultimately it was God’s decision…
On the other hand, history shows us their decision to not support Saul was correct because Saul would end up becoming a total disaster and a failed messiah.
Plus, to this day, it is the members of the dominant southern tribe of Judah (called Jews today) whom God has preserved throughout history.
Of course, I can’t say for sure there is a correlation between the existence of Jews today and their ancestors’ rebellion against Saul thousands of years ago, but I couldn’t help thinking there might be a connection.
Regardless, because of these rebellious scoundrels, Saul had a problem on his hands and Samuel knew it.
Many people didn’t want him to be king, so even though there was a ceremony, he couldn’t start ruling right away.
He needed an opportunity to prove himself so the rebels would see the error of their ways and be shut up.
Well, such an opportunity was about to present itself.
That’ll be the main topic of chapter 11.
Let’s transition over to the takeaway.
So what lesson can we extract from this situation?
Well, what I’m getting from all this is that when God calls you to a certain office or leadership position, inevitably there will be opposition…
When this happens you might be tempted to shrink back or question whether you are where God wants you to be…
The lesson to be learned here is to stand strong in the position in which God has placed you…
Because in due time, you’ll be given a chance to prove your mettle…
Which is exactly what we’ll see happening with Saul.
I made a comment in the previous post and which is supported by your conclusion statement. There are some lessons that are ‘mandtory ‘ and are bound to happen ;applies to everyone;, the moment we step foot in a new office or project, they will show up .
The question is ; can we ever prepare enough to be free from the inherent shocks they bring along, even though they are approved of God.
From your candid explanation I am also compelled to believe that Saul had his share of the ‘shocks’
Another question is, when God commissioned Saul’s kingship, some folks opposed him. Was GOD pleased or ‘angry ‘ with the rebels? after all, Saul was a failure on arrival.
This reminds me of my Secondary school days,when I used to pray for the devil to change.
As I read the bible, I got to a point in life and my understanding about being free from the Judgment of God is to be free from sin. Since satan is the brain behind all disobedience and sin, I approached him with a request for repentance. I also asked God to Forgive satan. I invited my friends to agree and support me with these prayer topics.
One day I heard a pastor say, if satan will repent for 1 minute, there will be great peace in the world Then I told myself that I am on the right path because, there is a Mathematical theory that supports this principle in linear eqations (I was inclined to solving every mathematical equations that comes my way )
Sometime past, when things were not going well with me, some friends of mine blamed me for praying for an impossibility and for the devil as a cause for my woes.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I know that I dont belong to hell, but I dread the stories helll and I all who go there. So I trigger a common attribute enjoined to God that ‘HIS Mercies endures forever’ so I ask God to apply MERCY
I admit my understanding about scripture concerning satan was very weak.
Anyway, the difference today is that I understand, satan is already judged,damaged beyond repairs .
God’s MERCY still endures forever
maybe HE will change HIS mind in the cause of time in eternity.
With GOD all things are possible.
If any of my comments offends ; please, have mercy and forgive me
A bit of digression there
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Abraham…
I actually had the same thoughts about satan when I was a child too.
I said to God “I know Satan’s been a bad boy. But is there any way you could ever forgive him?”
I don’t think there are any black-and-white answers to those questions because the Scriptures contain a lot of paradoxes.
Be blessed!
Many thanks and God bless you Sir
We continue to plead for God’s MERCY for ALL
Shalom