What can we learn about God's selection process from 1 Samuel 10:20? Verse in Focus “Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot.” (1 Samuel 10:20) Context Snapshot • Israel has demanded a king (1 Samuel 8). • God instructs Samuel to anoint Saul privately (1 Samuel 10:1). • A public confirmation is now required so the nation recognizes God’s choice. What the Process Reveals about God’s Selection • Divine sovereignty works through ordinary means – Casting lots appears random, yet “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:33). • God chooses with perfect knowledge – Before the lot is cast, Saul is already anointed (1 Samuel 10:1). The public lot simply unveils what God has decreed. • Specific and orderly progression – Tribes → clans → families → individual (vv. 20-21). God narrows the field step-by-step, showing intentional precision. • Preference for the unexpected – Benjamin is the smallest tribe (1 Samuel 9:21; cf. Judges 20:47). God often bypasses human expectation to highlight His power (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). • Confirmation for the community – The transparent process assures Israel that the choice is God’s, not Samuel’s. Truth is established “by two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15). Takeaways for Life • Trust God’s hand even in seemingly routine procedures—He rules over every detail. • God’s calling may come to the least likely; be ready and humble. • Public affirmation matters: genuine divine choices withstand scrutiny. • Wait for God’s timing; private anointing precedes public revealing. Supporting Passages • Proverbs 16:33—God directs the lot. • Acts 1:24-26—Matthias chosen by lots, echoing Samuel’s method. • Deuteronomy 7:7—Israel chosen though small. • 1 Corinthians 1:27-28—God chooses the lowly to shame the strong. |
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