1Sa 10:7 | KingComments | STEP | Throughout Saul’s preparation for the kingship, God made it clear that He was on his side. Saul was not rejected from the outset, nor was Israel rejected from the outset. Only when the people, despite all the admonitions of God, have shown their obstinate refusal to serve Him, does He reject them, and send them into exile. After God, through all these signs, has shown Saul that he is under His special guidance, God gives him the extra assurance that he does not have to be afraid to do what the occasion requires. The first thing what the occasion requires is the battle in the next chapter. All these signs are meant to make him think about his life and the task God has for him. He must have had the impression that Samuel is a man of God who has spoken what God has put in his mouth. If everything happens exactly as Samuel predicted, it should certainly have made him realize that God wants to use him. Asking for the meaning of events and parables reveals the true disciple ( ). What happens to Saul shows that God tells us to use our sanctified, sober mind. First, He shows us that our life is completely open to Him. The events are announced. But He leaves the reaction to this to us. It is like with Peter once he is delivered from prison. He then consults with himself what he will do ( ). One of the most Divine abilities we have is to form judgment after deliberating for and against. That is something else than the reliance on signs.

‏ 1 Samuel 10:7

God Wants to Be With Saul

Throughout Saul’s preparation for the kingship, God made it clear that He was on his side. Saul was not rejected from the outset, nor was Israel rejected from the outset. Only when the people, despite all the admonitions of God, have shown their obstinate refusal to serve Him, does He reject them, and send them into exile.

After God, through all these signs, has shown Saul that he is under His special guidance, God gives him the extra assurance that he does not have to be afraid to do what the occasion requires. The first thing what the occasion requires is the battle in the next chapter.

All these signs are meant to make him think about his life and the task God has for him. He must have had the impression that Samuel is a man of God who has spoken what God has put in his mouth. If everything happens exactly as Samuel predicted, it should certainly have made him realize that God wants to use him. Asking for the meaning of events and parables reveals the true disciple (Mk 4:10-12).

What happens to Saul shows that God tells us to use our sanctified, sober mind. First, He shows us that our life is completely open to Him. The events are announced. But He leaves the reaction to this to us. It is like with Peter once he is delivered from prison. He then consults with himself what he will do (Acts 12:11-12). One of the most Divine abilities we have is to form judgment after deliberating for and against. That is something else than the reliance on signs.