Anesti Ministries

Anointing.

v1 Samuel pours the flask of oil over Saul as a sign of the Holy Spirit coming upon him. The oil points to the Holy Spirit who consecrates individuals for God’s work (Exodus 30:22-31, Leviticus 8:12). Jesus told His disciples to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8). The role of the Holy Spirit is to consecrate and empower believers to do God’s work. When God calls you, He will equip you with spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit. If you serve God without the Holy Spirit, you are using your flesh. You need the power of the Holy Spirit to serve God.

v2-13 Samuel’s prophetic word to Saul shows us what Biblical prophecy looks like. Prophecy is hearing the word of God and releasing it to others (1 Samuel 9:27). Samuel’s prophecy is not vague but detail a series of specific events that will take place. The purpose of the prophetic word is to confirm that God chose Saul to be king. Saul received the gift of prophecy before receiving his kingship. God will give you spiritual gifts for you to accomplish His calling. The New Testament teaches that prophecy is a gift that believers receive through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10). You are a channel for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to impact those around you.

Faith.

v14-16 Sometimes we can become proud after receiving spiritual gifts. But we should learn from Saul’s example to be humble. Saul was sure that God had chosen him as king because Samuel’s prophecy was fulfilled. The whole nation was waiting in anticipation for Samuel to reveal who the next king was. Saul’s uncle may have suspected that Samuel had spoken to Saul regarding kingship. Most people would be so excited to tell everyone that they had been chosen as king. But Saul did not boast about receiving the kingship to his uncle. God’s calling and gifts are not meant to bring us glory but to bring God glory.

v17-23 Samuel assembles Israel to appoint a king. Even though he warns Israel again that they are rejecting God, they refuse to listen. In ancient times, the Israelites cast lots to discern the will of God. God used the natural process of casting lots to confirm Saul’s kingship before the people. Saul knew that he would be proclaimed king before the nation. He had seen so many signs that confirmed his calling and yet he ran away. How many times have we run away from God’s calling because we were afraid? We receive confirmation and signs but yet we have no confidence in God. We feel unworthy and inadequate. It takes faith to answer God’s call. Faith means looking at what God can do and not what you cannot do.

v24 The phrase “do you see” indicates that the people accepted Saul’s kingship based on his outward appearance. They chose what they saw in the natural over the spiritual. God calls us to look at life through our spiritual eyes and not our natural eyes.

Character.

Character is more important in ministry than competence. Character is the key to sustaining ministry. Saul’s example shows us the importance of character. In verse 25, Samuel cut a covenant between the newly installed king and the nation. Saul was now the leader of the nation. But some people refused to recognise the authority that God had given to Saul. They doubted Saul’s ability to deliver Israel. They disrespected Saul by not giving him tribute. Saul could have reacted by charging them for treason. But he chose not to argue. He chose to hold his peace. Learn to hold your peace when people doubt your calling or disregard your gifts. Hold your peace when you feel tempted to retaliate. You do not have to justify yourself before others because it is God who justifies you.