Topical Bible: The Lot: Saul Chosen King By

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The selection of Saul as the first king of Israel is a significant event in biblical history, marking the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. This event is recorded in 1 Samuel 10, where the prophet Samuel uses the casting of lots to reveal God's choice of Saul as king.

Context and Background

The demand for a king arose from the Israelites' desire to be like other nations and have a centralized leadership to lead them in battle and govern them (1 Samuel 8:5). Despite Samuel's warnings about the potential pitfalls of monarchy, God instructed Samuel to heed the people's request, indicating that their demand was a rejection of God's direct rule over them (1 Samuel 8:7).

The Process of Selection

In 1 Samuel 10, Samuel gathers the people of Israel at Mizpah to publicly reveal God's chosen king. The process of casting lots was a common biblical method for discerning God's will, often used to make decisions or allocate land (Joshua 18:10). It was believed that the outcome of the lot was determined by God, as Proverbs 16:33 states, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD."

Samuel first narrows down the tribes of Israel by lot, selecting the tribe of Benjamin. From the tribe of Benjamin, the family of Matri is chosen, and finally, Saul the son of Kish is selected (1 Samuel 10:20-21). This method underscores the divine nature of Saul's selection, as it was not based on human preference or political maneuvering.

Saul's Anointing and Confirmation

Prior to the public selection by lot, Samuel had privately anointed Saul as king, pouring oil on his head and declaring, "Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?" (1 Samuel 10:1). This anointing signified God's choice and empowerment of Saul for the role of king.

When Saul is chosen by lot, he is initially found hiding among the baggage, displaying a sense of humility or reluctance (1 Samuel 10:22). However, when he stands among the people, he is described as taller than any of the others, and Samuel declares, "Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people" (1 Samuel 10:24). The people respond with acclamation, shouting, "Long live the king!" (1 Samuel 10:24).

Significance

The use of the lot in Saul's selection highlights the sovereignty of God in the establishment of Israel's monarchy. Despite the people's insistence on having a king, it is ultimately God who chooses and appoints the leader. Saul's selection by lot serves as a divine endorsement of his kingship, even as it foreshadows the complexities and challenges that will arise during his reign.

This event also sets a precedent for the role of the king in Israel as one who is chosen by God and accountable to Him. Saul's kingship, initiated through divine selection, becomes a foundational moment in the unfolding narrative of Israel's history and God's redemptive plan.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 10:20,21
And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Shepherd-King
... such a hurry to fix on a second edition of Saul! ... they had passed in review before
him, and none was chosen. ... Probably the lad had the usual lot of genius,"to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the shepherd-king.htm

The History of Saul
... lot fell on the tribe of Benjamin, and in that tribe the lot fell upon Saul the
son ... the people, Now ye see and behold whom our Lord hath chosen, for there ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

Samuel
... a providential course of events, Saul becomes the chosen man. ... 1 Samuel 4., of the
nature of the lot (1 Samuel ... of David and still more that of Saul"David with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/samuel.htm

The First Kings.
... The tribe of Benjamin was chosen; and of the families of Benjamin ... that of Matri was
taken; and, finally, the lot fell upon the person of Saul, the son of ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

After the Whole People had Been Freed from all Distress...
... lot between me and Jonathan; and they cast the lot, and Jonathan ... Saul swore not once
or twice, but several times. ... For if the king had chosen to resist, and to ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xiv after the whole.htm

Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful?
... Again Saul, by drawing lots, found that his son Jonathan had ... sea (Jonah 1:7, sqq.):
Zacharias was chosen by lot ... on the other hand, the decision by lot be left ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination by drawing lots.htm

Letter ii.
... Exemption from wounds is the lot of non-combatants; but ... blessed man, I mean David
the chosen king and prophet ... for whole nights, could not rescue Saul from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/letter ii.htm

The Evidence of Scripture on Changes of Determination.
... The "chosen vessel," in writing to the Corinthians ... their determination, as Scripture
subjoins: "And Lot constrained them ... is so the election of Saul also shows us ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxv the evidence of.htm

Persecution Every Christian's Lot
... important truth, that persecution is the common lot of every ... not of the world, but
Christ hath chosen them out ... He once converted Saul: may the same God magnify ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/persecution every christians lot.htm

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... From The Death Of Saul To The Death Of David ... And thus were the courses distributed
by lot, in the presence ... their lord, as knowing that God hath chosen him; for ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm