Foundations Week 15, Day 3

Scripture Read:  I Samuel 9 - 10
Title: Israel Gets A King
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse:  "Saul, a handsome young man.  There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he.  From his shoulders upward he was taller than any people... 'Here is the man whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.''" I Samuel 9:2; 17b

(E) Explain:  We read about the man who would become king of Israel.  He was a young, good looking, and tall man.  He was the complete package.  He was the pinnacle of what the people would want.  Was he qualified?  No.  Did he have a clue as to what it meant to be a king?  Probably not.  We do see that he is the one who God chose for the nation.  They wanted a mighty warrior king who could intimidate and lead armies and they got someone who looked like he could probably intimidate and conquer.  We do see the God's spirit was upon him early on, but we do see that from the start, he was not God's perfect plan for the nation.  He gives them what they think they want.  
We are told he will win battles, he will save the people from the Philistines, and he will be a prince over the people.  But we also see that he is the result of the rejection of the God of Israel among the people.  Saul is set up for failure.  But this is what the people want.

(A) Application:  Humans like leaders who are strong, confident, and have it all together... Or at least we line leaders who have the appearance of being strong, confident and have it all together.  We often choose leaders based on charisma, past and present accomplishments, and the ability to lead well.  We want people who can do the job.  Rarely do we care about the character of the person.  We can overlook character because character doesn't matter when it comes to leading, the only thing that matters is their supposed ability to lead.  This has been the case for millennia.  We need not look too far back in history or even today to see this to be true.  However, God can still work through these individuals and He does, but the end result is not always what we pray, think or hope for.  Sometimes God gives us leaders that we think we want in order to show us that what we really need is Him.  

(R) Respond: God, may all of my talents, abilities and leadership come from you.  I depend on you for success in all areas of my life.  You have given me talents and abilities, but I know they come from you, so may I never boast about that which you have given to me.