Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
1 Samuel 9:1-5
There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.
3 One day Kish’s donkeys strayed away, and he told Saul, “Take a servant with you, and go look for the donkeys.” 4 So Saul took one of the servants and traveled through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, the Shaalim area, and the entire land of Benjamin, but they couldn’t find the donkeys anywhere.
5 Finally, they entered the region of Zuph, and Saul said to his servant, “Let’s go home. By now my father will be more worried about us than about the donkeys!”
There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.
3 One day Kish’s donkeys strayed away, and he told Saul, “Take a servant with you, and go look for the donkeys.” 4 So Saul took one of the servants and traveled through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, the Shaalim area, and the entire land of Benjamin, but they couldn’t find the donkeys anywhere.
5 Finally, they entered the region of Zuph, and Saul said to his servant, “Let’s go home. By now my father will be more worried about us than about the donkeys!”
Commentary:
9:1 Another lengthy genealogy (cf. 1:1) introduces Kish and his son Saul. Although Saul comes from an influential and respected family, he does not become king because of his ancestry. He comes from Benjamin, one of the smallest tribes of Israel and therefore less liable to engender rivalries. On the other hand, Saul remains under the dark shadow cast by the recent depravity of his tribe and its consequences (Judges 19–21).
9:2 Saul (which means “asked [of God]”) is introduced as a “handsome young man.” The term “young” is not primarily an age descriptor but describes a robust and fully grown individual (the same word or its homonym is rendered “chosen” in 24:2). If, as 13:2 suggests, Saul’s retinue will include an adult son not long after this, he is probably not far short of forty years of age. “Handsome” (lit., “good”) may point to an amiable disposition as well as to his striking appearance, standing a head higher than anyone else. He is just the sort of person to impress those who have asked for a king (cf. Absalom; 2 Sam. 14:25–26). However, no mention is made of his spiritual disposition (contrast Joseph in Gen. 39:3).
John L. Mackay, “1-2 Samuel,” in 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. III, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 112.
9:2 Saul (which means “asked [of God]”) is introduced as a “handsome young man.” The term “young” is not primarily an age descriptor but describes a robust and fully grown individual (the same word or its homonym is rendered “chosen” in 24:2). If, as 13:2 suggests, Saul’s retinue will include an adult son not long after this, he is probably not far short of forty years of age. “Handsome” (lit., “good”) may point to an amiable disposition as well as to his striking appearance, standing a head higher than anyone else. He is just the sort of person to impress those who have asked for a king (cf. Absalom; 2 Sam. 14:25–26). However, no mention is made of his spiritual disposition (contrast Joseph in Gen. 39:3).
John L. Mackay, “1-2 Samuel,” in 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. III, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 112.
Questions:
We have all been disappointed by someone we trusted. You expected them to understand, protect you, lead well, show up, or make things right, but they didn't. Sometimes it's a small disappointment. Other times, it changes the way you see that person. It can even make you question who you can really trust.
Saul's story reminds us why no person can carry the weight of being the king we need. Israel wanted a king they could see. Someone who looked strong enough to lead them and fight their battles. Saul looked the part, but it didn't take long for his limitations to show. He couldn't even find his father's lost donkeys. He didn't recognize Samuel as God's prophet. He was given a place of honor at the table, but he didn't seem to understand the God behind the position he was being given.
Saul wasn't the king Israel ultimately needed. And neither is anyone else.
It's easy to put that kind of hope in the people closest to us. We want a parent who always knows what to say. A spouse who always understands. A pastor who always leads well. A friend who never lets us down. But people have limits. They have weaknesses, blind spots, and sin. Even the people who love us deeply will sometimes fail us.
This is why Jesus is such a beautiful contrast to Saul. Saul was a shepherd who couldn't find what was lost. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who came looking for us. Saul didn't recognize what God was doing right in front of him. Jesus knows His sheep and calls them by name. Saul received an unearned place of honor at a table. Jesus gave up His place of glory and took an unearned cross so that sinners could be welcomed into God's presence. Jesus is the King Saul could never be.
People will disappoint you. Jesus won't.
Saul's story reminds us why no person can carry the weight of being the king we need. Israel wanted a king they could see. Someone who looked strong enough to lead them and fight their battles. Saul looked the part, but it didn't take long for his limitations to show. He couldn't even find his father's lost donkeys. He didn't recognize Samuel as God's prophet. He was given a place of honor at the table, but he didn't seem to understand the God behind the position he was being given.
Saul wasn't the king Israel ultimately needed. And neither is anyone else.
It's easy to put that kind of hope in the people closest to us. We want a parent who always knows what to say. A spouse who always understands. A pastor who always leads well. A friend who never lets us down. But people have limits. They have weaknesses, blind spots, and sin. Even the people who love us deeply will sometimes fail us.
This is why Jesus is such a beautiful contrast to Saul. Saul was a shepherd who couldn't find what was lost. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who came looking for us. Saul didn't recognize what God was doing right in front of him. Jesus knows His sheep and calls them by name. Saul received an unearned place of honor at a table. Jesus gave up His place of glory and took an unearned cross so that sinners could be welcomed into God's presence. Jesus is the King Saul could never be.
People will disappoint you. Jesus won't.
- Who has disappointed you because they didn't lead, protect, understand, or show up for you in the way you hoped they would? Be honest about what that disappointment has done to your ability to trust people.
- Is there someone whose approval, attention, protection, or leadership has become more important to you than it should be? What are you hoping that person will give you that only Jesus can ultimately provide?
- Jesus is the Good Shepherd who came looking for the lost and gave His life to bring you near to God. When someone disappoints you, where do you naturally turn first; pulling away, demanding more from them, replaying the hurt, trying to control the situation, or bringing it to Jesus?
- What disappointment are you carrying right now that needs to be brought to Jesus? Name it honestly before Him, and ask Him to help you release the expectation that another person must meet a need only He can satisfy.
Prayer Topics:
- Confess the ways you have looked to people for what only Jesus can provide.
- Ask God to help you trust Him with the disappointments you carry.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to forgive those who have hurt or failed you.
- Thank Jesus for being the Good Shepherd who gave His life for you and will never fail you.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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