Day 112 of 365
CHOOSING SAUL RATHER THAN GOD
The book of 1 Chronicles includes the genealogy of Saul, Israel's first king. Saul came to power when the elders of Israel demanded that Samuel, the Lord's man in leadership, appoint a king to lead them like the other nations. Samuel resisted, but the Lord instructed him to carry out their request - noting that asking for a national king was a rejection of God, not of Samuel (1Sa 8:1 - 9). From the nation's founding, the people had the opportunity to serve God as their true king. Yet arrogance, impatience and envy caused Israel to believe the Lord's kingship was insufficient. Saul reigned forty-two years (1Sa 13:1), but his eventual rebellion against God led to a bitter end (1Ch 10:13 - 14).
With the appearance of Jesus, Israel and the world once again have the opportunity to serve God as their king. Humankind is limited and corrupt, but God knows all things and always does what is right. He is the ultimate, all-sufficient King. Those who believe in Jesus become more than subjects in God's kingdom - they become his sons and daughters (Jn 1:12).
Jesus, so often I am distracted by the world and want to do things its way. In these moments, help me to follow only you, for only you can lead me to the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
1 Chronicles 8:33-40 NASB
33 Ner became the father of Kish, and Kish became the father of Saul, and Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab and Eshbaal. 34 The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal became the father of Micah. 35 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tarea and Ahaz. 36 Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah, and Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri; and Zimri became the father of Moza. 37 Moza became the father of Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 38 Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. 39 The sons of Eshek his brother were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second and Eliphelet the third. 40 The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons and grandsons, 150 of them. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
1 Samuel 8:1-9 NASB
1 And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba. 3 His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; 5 and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations." 6 But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the L ord . 7 The L ord said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. 8 Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day-in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods-so they are doing to you also. 9Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them."
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