Faith Like A Mustard Seed

The people realize what they had done

During the first couple of years that Saul was king, things seemed to be going well for him. Most of the people respected Saul, he led his people in the rescue of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites, he also had Samuel and ultimately the Lord to guide him.

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.’” Zechariah 3:7

After the destruction of the Ammonites, Samuel, Saul, and the rest of Israel went to Gilgal, where they renewed the kingdom by making Saul king before the Lord. As you could imagine, there was a great celebration as the people rejoiced before the Lord. However, the celebration was short lived because Samuel spoke up, telling the people that he had done what they had requested by making Saul king. He explained to them that God has constantly delivered His people, even though they turned away from Him to serve things that were not gods. (I Samuel 12:7-12)

Our fathers were unfaithful; they did evil in the eyes of the LORD our God and forsook him. They turned their faces away from the LORD’s dwelling place and turned their backs on him. II Chronicles 29:6

Israel desired a king, even though they had God who wanted to be their King. Then Samuel gave the people a warning; the Lord had set a king over them as they desired, and if they would continue to respect the Lord, serve Him, and obey Him, then they and their king would continue to follow God. Conversely, if they would not walk in the ways of the Lord, He would turn against them just as He had done to their fathers who turned away from Him. (I Samuel 12:13-15)

But I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. Jeremiah 7:23

Then the people feared because Samuel called out the God, and He sent thunder and rain just as Samuel predicted. The people finally came to the realization of what they had done by desiring a king to lead them instead of God. The people were repentant, and Samuel told them not to fear, for even though they had done what was not right, God would still be with them unless they turned away from Him to go after vain things that do not profit.

For the Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you His people. I Samuel 12:22

Samuel reinforced that he would continue to pray for them, and teach them what is good and right before the Lord. He also advised them to respect the Lord, serving Him in truth with all of their hearts, and to consider all that He had done for them. Then Samuel gave them another warning:

But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king. I Samuel 12:25

What will they choose?

Dave Earley http://www.init-2-winit.org/faithlikeamustardseed http://www.init-2-winit.org/forum