BORN OF HIS WILL

PRAYING AYER - "A Kingdom is Born" Samuel called Israel together to inaugurate King Saul, but he could not be found. "Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come hither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff." They searched and found him. "See who the LORD has chosen." The people shouted, "God save the King!" Saul was reluctant to serve, but Samuel drafted the first national constitution, and the Kingdom of Israel was born by a divine mandate. 1 Samuel 10:25 - "...Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book." PRINCIPALS - "God Chooses Saul as King" The LORD told Samuel, "Tomorrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin and you will anoint him to be captain over my people Israel." When Saul arrived, the LORD said, "Behold the man whom I spake to thee of!" God will not always work His will so obviously, but He will always be in control. 1 Samuel 10:1 - "Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?" PRINCIPLES - "Righteous Indignation" Saul shrank back from being king, and many in Israel opposed his appointment. That all changed after Ammonites declared war on Jabeshgilead. When Saul heard the threat, righteous indignation from the LORD rose up in him. He took an army to Jabesh and whipped the Ammonites soundly. At Gilgal, Israel made Saul king, and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. God can turn a reluctant participant into a gallant hero, even in the eyes of his detractors. 1 Samuel 11:6 - "...the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly." PROPHECIES - "Samuel Prophesies to Saul" After anointing Saul, Samuel prophesied signs that would prove God was with him. Two men at Rachel's tomb would tell him that his father's donkeys were found, and that his father sorrowed for him. At Tabor, three men traveling to Bethel would give him two loaves of bread. Past a garrison of Philistines, a company of prophets would prophesy and play instruments. The Spirit of the LORD would come upon him. He would prophesy and be turned into another man. Lesson? God confirms His word with signs following! 1 Samuel 10:9 - "...all those signs came to pass that day."