Anesti Ministries

The last chapter ended with some people doubting Saul’s ability to lead Israel. It left readers wondering if Saul was capable of being a good king.

v1-5 Israel experiences it first national crisis under the kingship of Saul. Nahash the Ammonite had besieged the city of Jabesh-Gilead. His intention was not only to capture the city but to humiliate the Israelites. In desperation, they called out to the other tribes for help. The city of Jabesh-Gilead was located east of the Jordan river in the land of Gilead. The inhabitants were Israelites who belonged to the half-tribe of Manesseh. The last time this city was mentioned was in Judges 21:8-10. A Levite’s concubine had been raped to the point of death in the territory of Benjamin. The Levite divided her dead body into 12 parts and sent it to all the tribes of Israel (Judges 19:29). Israel went to war against the tribe of Benjamin to seek justice. But it was found out that men from Jabesh-Gilead did not come. In light of past events, the people of Jabesh-Gilead did not know if help would come.

v5-6 Have you ever seen injustice in the world and suddenly feel a wave of anger come over you? And in that moment you feel like you need to do something to make things right? Anger is an emotion that is rarely associated with the Holy Spirit. But when the news reached Saul, the Holy Spirit filled him with zeal to take action. When God sees injustice, it angers Him. In John 2:17, Jesus drove out the money-changers in the temple when the zeal of the Lord came upon Him. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will come upon you to stir up the righteous anger of God against injustice. This righteous anger is not the same as human anger. It is not a desire to harm people but a zeal to eradicate injustice.

v7-11 The Spirit of God was upon Saul as he assembled Israel for battle. Saul’s method of mustering Israel is strikingly similar to the way Israel was called to gather in Judges 19:29. Even though Jabesh-Gilead refused to answer the call in Judges 21:8, all the tribes of Israel came to their aid. Jesus, the true King of Israel, does not hold our past against us. But He came down from heaven to rescue us while we were in our sin. The work of the Lord is evident in the way Israel unites to deliver Jabesh-Gilead from the Ammonites. When you set your heart to accomplish God’s assignment, He will bring people to help you.

v12-15 After Saul proved himself, the worthless men who doubted him were brought before him. Saul did not claim glory for himself but gave glory to God for the victory. Instead of taking revenge, Saul pardoned them instead. Saul’s merciful character is a reflection of Christ and serves as an example for us to follow. The people then go to Gilgal, a place of spiritual renewal, to present Saul before the Lord.