Saul Crowned King

The promptness and bravery of Saul, as well as the generalship shown in the successful conduct of so large a force, were qualities which the people of Israel had desired in a monarch, that they might be able to cope with other nations.

They now greeted him as their king, attributing the honor of the victory to human agencies and forgetting that without God’s special blessing all their efforts would have been in vain. In their enthusiasm some proposed to put to death those who had at first refused to acknowledge the authority of Saul. But the king interfered, saying, ‘There shall not a man be put to death this day: for today the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel.’ Here Saul gave evidence of the change that had taken place in his character. Instead of taking honor to himself, he gave the glory to God. Instead of showing a desire for revenge, he manifested a spirit of compassion and forgiveness. This is unmistakable evidence that the grace of God dwells in the heart.” Saul was willing to let those who initially opposed his selection as king be given a pass.

“If because of recent developments an enemy could be changed into a friend, greater would be the advantage than if he were put to death. Exactly the same Spirit was now speaking through Saul as spoke through Christ in His Sermon on the Mount [Matthew 5:44].” Forgiveness is a Christian virtue. Samuel now suggested Israel gather at Gilgal to crown Saul king.

“When the shouts of welcome to the king had died away, the aged prophet gave his parting words as ruler of the nation. “ ‘Behold,’ he said, ‘I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and gray-headed; . . . and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.’” Samuel then called Israel to witness before God that he had been fair and defrauded no one during his ministry. The true Christian is always honest and never vindictive.