A Story of God and All of Us - By Roma Downey Page 0,50

Samuel shouts.

"But never in history has a king been anointed by a prophet of God. That king would be different."

All the elders nod in agreement. Samuel still doesn't see the idea's wisdom.

His sons, the two men who have made this meeting necessary, stare at the floor, quite aware that their opinions do not matter. King or no king, their shame will follow them the rest of their lives.

122

"God has promised us this land," Samuel argues. "It is not right for one of us to become king."

"How do we know that, Samuel?" counters Phinehas. "Have you asked him?"

Samuel is alone atop a desert hill. His thoughts are focused on God. Their partnership has molded the Israelite people ever since the death of Samson.

In the many dreams and conversations in which God has revealed His plans, there has never once been mention of an earthly king. So this idea put forth by the elders--an idea that has great merit--is stupefying. Is this an idea of man's or of God's? Samuel needs to know the answer.

"I have given everything," he explains to God. "But if you say I should give them a king, of course I will. But what should I do?"

God tells Samuel that they are not rejecting Samuel when they ask for a king. They are, instead, rejecting God. He tells Samuel to warn the people that an earthly king will be corrupt, and they will be very sorry when they live under the pain he causes them. But despite God's and Samuel's warnings, the people demand a king, so God decides to answer their prayers and give them one.

God plants an image in Samuel's head. It is that of a man who is physically head and shoulders above everyone else. Good with a sword, and at home on the field of battle: Saul.

Samuel bows his head. Then an idea hits him. He looks up at the darkening skies. "He will be the king and I will still be Your prophet, oh Lord. I can guide Your king."

Samuel goes in search of Saul, to name him the first king of Israel. He finds him weeks later, in a small village. Before a crowd of hundreds who chant his name in adulation, Saul is proclaimed the Israelite ruler. Samuel anoints

the new king with oil, and the Holy Spirit comes upon him.

But Israel's new king does not rule alone. He is subject to the word of the prophet. So even as Samuel stands over a kneeling Saul, pouring olive oil onto his forehead to anoint him as king, it is understood that

123

they are a team: Saul is the king, and Samuel is his seer, the man to whom God predicts the future. "May I, as God's prophet, help you in any way I can,"

Samuel tells Saul.

The new king rises to his feet. The crowd surrounding the small platform chants his name. The ceremony has been brief, and no crown has been placed upon Saul's head. But he is king, nonetheless, ruler of all the land.

His first and foremost task is to reclaim the Promised Land by waging war on the Philistines and any other nation that seeks to claim it as their own.

Saul has a rebellious steak. He will have trouble letting Samuel play his role as prophet, and both men know it. As the two men now stare into one another's eyes just moments after the modest coronation, it is clear that their partnership will not always be an easy one.

It does not take long for Saul to lead the Israelites into battle. He is a good leader and wins many battles. On the morning of one planned attack, Saul and a small band of Israelite soldiers crouch low and run up a slope that overlooks an encampment of the Amalekites. Saul is short of breath after the brief uphill sprint, but his mind is sharp as he surveys the enemy. He has been told by Samuel to wait seven days, at which time Samuel will come and make the required sacrifice to God. Those seven days have almost passed. Saul is growing impatient.

He sees just one sentry. Time to attack.

"Are the men ready?" he says in a level voice to a nearby officer.

"Yes," comes the reply.

"And Samuel," Saul asks. "Any sign? We must make a sacrifice before we strike."

The officer takes a breath and shakes his head.

There has been no sign, no message, nothing at all to let Saul know Samuel's whereabouts or plans. This is the first test of their