That's no Basis for a System of Government

“I’m Arthur King of the Britons!”
“Who’s the Britons?”
“We all are and I am your King.”
“Well I didn’t vote for you.”
“You don’t vote for kings, they’re appointed …the Lady of the Lake handed to me Excalibur!”
“… If I wandered about here proclaiming to be emperor because some moistened bink lobbed a scimitar at me, they put me away!!”
“SHUT UP! Bloody peasant!!”
“Oh, that’s dead giveaway. Help, HELP, I’m being repressed!” - Monty Python and the Holy Grail

(9:1-2) “That’s no basis for a system of government,” said Dennis the peasant to King Arthur. Same was to be true for Israel’s choice. “Say what? Our king’s from who?” Benjamin = Israel’s (Jacob) youngest son, meaning the punk, the runt, the pain-in-the-__________ (what was your youngest brother’s “nickname?”) Nearly annihilated by the other 11 tribes (sons) of Israel in Judges 20-21 after Benjamite men committed a hideous Sodom and Gomorrah type act. From this lowly lineage comes Israel’s king?!?! (note not Christ’s lineage)

a. A mighty man of power: Kish, the father of Saul, was a wealthy and influential man in Israel. Saul came from a prestigious family (for a Benjamite), and was born to wealth and influence.

b. A choice and handsome young man: Saul was notable, not only for his family, but also for his appearance. Saul was tall (taller than any of his people) and good looking. In fact, there was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. Saul looked like a great king. If being king over Israel was all about image and appearances, Saul was da man!!
i. In 1 Samuel 8, the people of Israel had just rejected the Lord God as king over Israel, because they wanted a king like all the surrounding nations had. What they really wanted was the image of a king, because God gave them the substance of a king better than any man could. Saul was exactly the type of king that the people wanted. He was the king from central casting. God is giving Israel the kind of leaders they wanted and deserved!
ii. The name Saul means “asked of God.” Israel was asking for a king, and Saul would indeed be the one “asked of God.” (God delivers the leaders we ask for)
c. What is not mentioned in these first two verses is God. Saul came from a wealthy, influential family and was good looking. But there is nothing said about his relationship with the Lord God of Israel. There is nothing said because there was nothing to say!
i. Saul reflected the spiritual state of the whole nation of Israel. There may have been some spiritual image present, but the heart was far from where God wanted it to be. (How is our heart today?)

(9:3-14) Saul starts his new career by chasing asses! “Look,” says Saul’s servant, “now, there is in this city a man of God . . . perhaps he can show us the way we should go.” Saul and his servant ain’t all that deep. They seem to be men who wouldn’t think to come to the prophet Samuel for real spiritual guidance, but they do think, “Hey! Maybe he can help us find our asses!”

(9:15-17) “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.” “Seriously?? He’s here to ask me where his asses are for crying out loud. Well, all right.” – Samuel always faithful

(9:18-21) “I am the Seer” “Am I not a Benjamite?”

Samuel tells Saul: “Don’t worry, your asses are safe. As to the country, well I don’t know, but here you are.” Saul starts his “political” campaign with a nice sounding soundbite, but it’s a lie! Saul was an unauthentic politician from the very start yet exactly who Israel asked for.

(9:22-27) Saul dines with Samuel.

Samuel set up a meal to honor his guest, yet the portion of meat Samuel had set aside for Saul ain’t exactly filet mignon! It’s a leg with “what was on it.” What??? Rump roast?? A butt steak?!?!?! Samuel knew Saul was no good yet obeyed the command from God delivering Israel what it had asked for.

Bring it home. What leadership do we ask for in this country? What leadership are we voting for today? When we stand in that voting both today, will Jesus be standing next to us?


Some quotations from;
http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/0909.htm