“Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession. When you leave me today, you will see two men beside Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah, on the border of Benjamin. They will tell you that the donkeys have been found and that your father has stopped worrying about them and is now worried about you. He is asking, ‘Have you seen my son?’ “When you get to the oak of Tabor, you will see three men coming toward you who are on their way to worship God at Bethel. One will be bringing three young goats, another will have three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a wineskin full of wine. They will greet you and offer you two of the loaves, which you are to accept. “When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying. At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you. Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. You must wait for seven days until I arrive and give you further instructions.””
1 Samuel 10:1-8 NLT
Saul was a man who was called by God, but he was also a skeptical man who was anxious, as later passages will reveal. And although he would turn out to be a wicked king, as the Lord foretold to Samuel, he was still the king appointed for God’s purpose. When one is appointed for such a task, it is not a feeling. Our modern world tends to reduce God moving to a feeling. This is easy to do since a feeling of compulsion is involved. Nevertheless, it is more than a feeling. It is a fact. The fact of God’s calling is a confirmable experience. Some will need more confirmation than others. Some will receive a slow dispensation of confirmation that can only be observed over time. Some will receive a special revelation. Either way, it is not merely a feeling. Samuel gave Saul a way to confirm God’s calling as he does with everyone. Too often, we don’t think to test the spirits beyond our feelings. But we ought to. In some ways, this was an opportunity for Saul to gain a necessary skill set. Had he continued to come to terms with the Lord first for confirmation, his story might not have ended the way it did.
God’s Calling: God’s calling is a fact, not just a feeling, and can be confirmed through various means.
Saul’s Character: Saul was a skeptical and anxious man who was chosen by God to be king despite later becoming wicked.
Confirmation of God’s Will: Samuel provided Saul with a way to confirm God’s calling, emphasizing the importance of seeking confirmation beyond feelings.
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