1 Samuel 10-12 - Spirit of God Came Upon Saul

Saul Among the Prophets

1Sa 10:9-10 LSB - [9] Then it happened when he turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came about on that day. [10] And they came to the hill there, and behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them.

Saul the King

1Sa 10:20-22 LSB - [20] Thus Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken [by lot]. [21] Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken; but they looked for him, and he could not be found. [22] Therefore they inquired further of Yahweh, "Has the man come here yet?" So Yahweh said, "Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage."

Hiding Among the Stuff by Spurgeon

I dare say he thinks tonight that, if he had been Saul he would not have been hiding himself. If it were to have his head taken off, a man might very wisely hide himself, but to have a crown put upon his head does not seem to be a reason for hiding ones self, but a reason for coming out into the open and saying, “Here am I; do unto me as seemeth you good!” But this conduct, which seems so strange in Saul, is an exact imago of the behavior of many of you who are here tonight. There may be some of you here present, who may be doing precisely what Saul did, only you are doing it more foolishly than he did. He did but hide away from an earthly crown, but you hide from a heavenly one. He did but shun a crown that fadeth; you seem as though you would avoid a crown that is undefiled and that fadeth not away. The crown which Saul sought to hide from no doubt brought many cares with it, for it is only too often true that —

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”

but the crown which you are avoiding brings no care with it, but much of holy ease and joy, and that head lies easily enough which is crowned with God’s crown of lovingkindness and tender mercy. But you hide yourselves away from it, — from the crown which prophets and apostles counted on, for which they were willing to sacrifice all things, and counted their best prospects but as dross and dun,” that they might win it. This crown, which glittered in the martyr’s eye, and made him, sing as he swam through a sea of blood to reach it: this crown is lightly valued by you, and you hide yourself away among the stuff, that you escape from this boon of God’s bountiful mercy and love.

 

Saul Strikes Down the Ammonites

1Sa 11:6 LSB - [6] Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and he burned with anger exceedingly.

1Sa 11:15 LSB - [15] So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before Yahweh in Gilgal. There they also offered sacrifices of peace offerings before Yahweh; and there Saul and all the men of Israel were exceedingly glad.

Samuel Speaks to Israel

1Sa 12:20-22 LSB - [20] And Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart. [21] "And you must not turn aside, for [then you would go] after meaningless things which cannot profit and cannot deliver, because they are meaningless. [22] "For Yahweh will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because Yahweh has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.

1Sa 12:23 LSB - [23] "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and upright way.