1 Samuel 9:16 - The Calling of Saul
The Lord Sees the Heart
In 1 Samuel 9:16, we read: "Tomorrow about this time I will send unto thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me." (KJV)
This verse marks a significant turning point in the history of Israel, as it marks the beginning of a new era in their history. The Lord God had seen the cry of His people, and He was about to intervene in their lives in a mighty way.
The Context of 1 Samuel 9:16
In the preceding chapters of 1 Samuel, we see the people of Israel crying out to God for a king to rule over them, just like the other nations around them. This request was not because they had rejected God as their King, but because they wanted a physical leader to protect them from their enemies.
The Choice of Saul
In 1 Samuel 9:16, the Lord reveals to Samuel that He has chosen a man from the tribe of Benjamin to be the captain over His people. This man was Saul, a young and handsome man from the tribe of Benjamin. The Lord had seen his heart and knew that he was the right person for the task.
A New Era Begins
With the anointing of Saul, a new era begins in the history of Israel. The Lord was raising up a leader who would deliver His people from the hand of the Philistines, their arch-enemies. This marked a significant turning point in the history of Israel, as they began to transition from a theocratic system of government to a monarchical system.
Lessons from 1 Samuel 9:16
From this verse, we can learn several valuable lessons:
- God hears the cry of His people: The Lord is always attentive to the prayers and cries of His people. He sees their struggles and is willing to intervene on their behalf.
- God chooses leaders: The Lord chooses leaders who will fulfill His purposes. Saul was chosen because the Lord saw his heart and knew that he was the right person for the task.
- God's plans are always bigger than ours: The Lord's plan for Israel was much bigger than their cry for a king. He was about to do something new and mighty in their midst.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 9:16 marks a significant turning point in the history of Israel. It reveals the heart of God, who sees the cry of His people and intervenes on their behalf. It also highlights the importance of leadership and the role that God plays in choosing leaders who will fulfill His purposes.
