Useful Bible Studies > 1 Samuel Commentary > chapter 10
The kings of other nations often had absolute authority over their own countries. They made the law; other people had to obey it. However, Israel’s king was not like them. The king of Israel was the servant of God. God had made rules that Israel’s king had to obey (Deuteronomy 17:16-17). In fact, the first duty of Israel’s king was to study and to obey the law of God (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).
Samuel made a record of these matters. He probably recorded both the king’s duties, and the duties of the people to their king. Samuel placed his record ‘in front of God’ - perhaps in the sacred tent called the tabernacle.
Then something happened that may surprise us. Everyone, including Saul, just went home. Saul did not organise a government or an army. Instead, he simply returned to his job as a worker on his father’s farm (11:5). It seemed as if nothing whatever had happened.
It does not surprise us that some people expressed publicly their doubts about Saul. They could see no reason to imagine that Saul could ever be a successful king or military leader. Probably they wanted to appoint someone else as king. Saul did not try to argue against these people. It was not yet the right time for him to act.
In fact, God was doing something powerful in Saul’s life, although people did not see it yet. A group of brave men had joined Saul in Gibeah. Probably, several of them already lived there. They included Saul’s son Jonathan, and Saul’s cousin Abner, who became the commander of Saul’s army (14:50). Together, they could make plans and they could prepare for war. At the right time, Saul would be ready to act in a very powerful manner.
Next part: Nahash attacks Jabesh Gilead (1 Samuel 11:1-3)
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© 2014, Keith Simons.