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CONNECTING THE DOTS

[Scheduled Reading: 1 Samuel 8-15]

Am I not a Benjamite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin?(1 Samuel 9:21)

King Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. They were supposedly the least of the tribes of Israel. 

What made this tribe so weak? 

Let’s go back a few days to a story in Judges 20. 

It involves a nasty fight that follows a most gruesome story about a Levite who cut up his dead concubine into twelve pieces and sent her throughout all the remaining tribes of Israel.

(The Levite’s concubine had been murdered by some Benjaminites in an all-night rape.)

This was before Wiki-leaks and fake news, but I’m sure rumors were still strong.

When folks learned this event wasn’t fake news, it got all of them fired up… against the Benjamites. 

400,000 Israelites (from the remaining tribes) took on 26,000 Benjamites. It was a blood-bath. Over 25,000 Benjamite men were lost at battle, leaving 600 men running for the hills.

The tribe was nearly wiped out. It was a sad day for Israel.

Now we know what Saul means when he referred to himself as from the “least of the tribes of Israel.” He meant it literally.

Not only in size, but the social stigma of being from the tribe of Benjamin was not exactly a badge of honor. 

Throughout scriptures, we see that God will use anyone to accomplish his purposes. 

He might choose a leader from the smallest tribe (like Saul). But he might choose a leader with striking appearance (again Saul). 

Or he might choose a leader from the largest tribe (Judah) and one of lesser impressive appearances (that’s David.)

God’s selection process is God’s business. Sometimes it makes sense to us. Other times it does not. 

Sometimes he even regrets his choice (that’s a strange idea, isn’t it?)

And that’s exactly what happens with the selection of Saul.

God is getting ready to abort his choice of King Saul and replace Him with a very special character. 

Family Talk

God gave Israel a king even though it was not in their best interest (See Deut. 17:11-20). 

What does this say about God’s willingness to give us what we want, even if it’s not God’s best for us?