Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

1 Samuel 10 Devotional

Every Sign Came True

“As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all the signs came to pass that day.”1 Samuel 10:9 (BSB)

Samuel pours oil on Saul's head and then tells him three signs to expect on the road: men with news of the donkeys, travelers who will give him bread, and a band of prophets (10:2-6). Every one of them happens that same day. God changes Saul's heart, his Spirit rushes on him, and he prophesies (10:9-11). The LORD is plainly the one at work in Saul's rise.

At Mizpah, though, Samuel reminds Israel what they have done. The God who brought them out of Egypt and saved them is the one they rejected by asking for a king (10:18-19). Still, the LORD himself points out the chosen man when Saul is found hiding among the baggage (10:22). Some valiant men whose hearts God had touched go with him, while worthless men sneer that this man cannot save them (10:26-27). They are wrong about Saul's calling, yet salvation never rested on a king. It rested on the God who gives one. Whoever leads you, your hope can rest there too.

To think about: How might your hope shift if you looked past the leaders in your life to the God who gives them?

About 1 Samuel 10: Saul Anointed and Chosen King

Samuel privately anoints Saul as ruler and gives him signs that all come true, including God’s Spirit coming on him so that he prophesies. At Mizpah Samuel rebukes Israel for rejecting God; Saul is chosen, found hiding among the baggage, and acclaimed king, though some scoffers despise him.

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