The first king of the Israelites was Saul. The people of Israel really, really wanted a king. They wanted to be just like all the other nations around them and have a man who could lead them in battle and protect them. But God warned them. A king would tax them and make them serve him. He would place all kinds of demands upon them. God was the king of the people, and the prophet and judge Samuel tried to tell them that. They refused to listen. They wanted to be just like everyone else.
So God gave the people what they wanted. He gave them a king. God told Samuel to anoint Saul of the tribe of Benjamin. Saul wasn't actually the brightest bulb in the box, but he looked the part of king. He was tall and strong and handsome. When Samuel met Saul for the first time, the young man was out hunting for his father's donkeys who had somehow managed to wander off (why wasn't someone watching them?). Saul and his servant couldn't find the critters, so the servant suggested they consult the seer Samuel. Saul hadn't bothered to bring any money, but luckily the servant had some to provide a little tribute.
We might wonder what Samuel really thought about Saul upon meeting him, but he obeyed God and anointed the young man to kingship. He then gathered the people so they could acclaim Saul as king. But there was one problem. No one could find Saul. He eventually turned up hiding among the baggage. Cold feet perhaps?
Yes, Saul looked the part of a king, but he was already demonstrating God's point about kings and why Israel shouldn't have one. Sometimes God gives us what we want so we can see that it is not what we need.
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