A Change of Heart
Saul’s journey to the throne continues as Samuel anoints him, King of Israel.
“Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: “Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?”
1 Samuel 10:1
Then God affirmed Saul’s calling. Every step Saul took toward Israel’s throne had purpose. From his search for the wayward donkeys to each encounter with others in the story, everything was planned by God to fulfill His divine plan and strengthen Saul’s faith.
“And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you.”
1 Samuel 10:7
God didn’t just expect obedience from Saul. He gave him the wisdom and the peace of heart and mind to accomplish this great task.
“So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day...”
1 Samuel 10:9
Don’t ever forget, God wants to do that for all of His children. It does not matter how ordinary your task for Him may be. God knows what we need to fulfill our role in the kingdom. He enables us along the way.
God doesn’t need human interaction to achieve His plan. God invites believers to be a part of His plan. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss anything He has for me.
At first, Saul seems to be heading in the right direction. He follows completely.
As Saul prepared to be crowned before the people, Samuel gave him some instructions. Take a moment to read the instructions. These are integral to the story. (1 Samuel 10:2-16)
Have you ever come upon passages in scripture like you just found in the link above?
Here is a link to Bible Hub1 that offers an easy study that will reveal the significance of each event that occurred in chapter 10. It is important for believers to understand these passages, not just because of historical relevance, but because each event reveals God’s authority, Christs’ sacrifice, or a spiritual lesson.
Often, passages like those seem mystifying. Why didn’t Samuel simply crown Saul the king and call it a day?
Because, by God’s divine miracles, He demonstrated His absolute authority over mankind. The people had rejected God. They embraced a human being as their king. People still do that in a spiritual sense today.
As you read the passage linked for you, did you see each step that Saul took? Those events had purpose that reveals so much about God. Through these events the Spirit enabled Saul to have faith, or he never would have followed through with each step.
Nothing that Samuel or Saul did could have been accomplished without the miracles of God. No human construct can accomplish what God can set in motion. Likewise, no human rebellion can deter God’s plan.
Saul’s faith must have grown as he witnessed, first-hand, God’s awesome power. How could he not have sensed a breathtaking awareness of God’s power and holiness?
Take a look at the verse below.
“…God gave him another heart…”
1 Samuel 10:9
The Spirit changed Saul’s heart to enable him to turn fully toward the Lord and be able to accomplish the task set before him.
Devoted believers know what joy there is in following God obediently. But there is a danger for every believer to be pulled away from our commitment to the Lord.
When we become enamored with anything that the world offers, we naturally take our eyes off God. Once a believer commits to the world instead of their relationship with God, then sin and separation from God soon follow.
As our study of Saul’s life continues, we will see the devastation that occurs when Saul makes another turn. His next turn of the heart will be away from God.
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:23-27
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Statement of Faith
Baptist Faith and Message 2000
- Biblehub.com
What is the Significance of Samuel’s Instructions to Saul ↩︎
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 