Encore Post: After Joshua’s death, God let each tribe of Israel rule their own lands. When they were needed, God appointed judges to settle disputes and lead them in battle. But the tribes did not act as one people. They were not impressed with the sons of their greatest judge, Samuel. So the people asked God for a king to unite them, fight their battles, and give them a sense of pride. What the people did not see was the downside — kings do whatever they want and take whatever they want. If they do not serve God, then the people would become slaves in their own country. They did not listen, so God granted their wish.
He sent to Samuel a handsome, tall, and charismatic young man named Saul. He was the son of a rich man from the tribe of Benjamin. Samuel anointed him king over Israel. At first, Saul was very successful. He raised a large army and liberated some Israelites from the Ammonites. He won a few victories against the Philistines with inferior weapons. He defeated the Amalekites and killed everyone of them, yet spared their king against God’s command.
So, in the end, King Saul disobeyed God and did what he pleased. So God took the Kingdom of Israel back from him and gave it to a shepherd boy, David. A thousand years later, Jesus, the Son of David, served God and His people. He suffered and died for our sins and rose again to defeat sin, death and the power of the devil. One day, He will return with the armies of Heaven to defeat these forces forever. On that day, we will live under the King of Kings forever.
Rev. Robert E. Smith
Pastor Emeritus
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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