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CHAPTER 5 : The Calling of Saul - Occasion of his Interview with
Samuel -Samuel Communes with Saul - Saul is Anointed King - The
Three "Signs " - Their Deeper Significance. (1 SAMUEL 9-10:16)
THE Divine direction for which prophet and people were to wait was not long
withheld. It came, as so often, through a concurrence of natural circumstances, and
in the manner least expected. Its object, if we may venture to judge, was to embody
in the person of the new king the ideal which Israel had had in view in making their
demand for a monarchy. He should possess all the natural attractions and martial
qualities which the people could desiderate in their king; he should reflect their
religious standpoint at its best; but he should also represent their national failings
and the inmost defect of their religious life: that of combining zeal for the religion of
Jehovah, and outward conformity to it, with utter want of real heart submission to
the Lord, and of true devotedness to Him.
Thus viewed, we can understand alike the choice of Saul at the first, his failure
afterwards, and his final rejection. The people obtained precisely what they wanted;
and because he who was their king so corresponded to their ideal, and so reflected
the national state, he failed. If, therefore, it is with a feeling of sadness that we
follow this story, we must remember that its tragic element does not begin and end
with Saul; and that the meaning of his life and career must be gathered from a deeper
consideration of the history of his people. In truth, the history of Saul is a summary
and a reflection of that of Israel. A monarchy such as his must first succeed, and
finally fail when, under the test of trials, its inmost tendencies would be brought to
light. Such a reign was also necessary, in order to bring out what was the real
meaning of the people's demand, and to prepare Israel for the king of God's election
and selection in the person of David.
Of all the tribes in Israel perhaps the most martial, although the smallest, was that of
Benjamin. The "family" of Abiel^80 was, indeed, not famous for wealth or influence.
But it must have occupied a prominent place in Benjamin for the manly qualities and
the military capacity of its members, since within a narrow circle it numbered such
men as Saul, Jonathan, and Abner.^81 The whole of this history gives such sketches
of primitive life in Israel as to prove that it was derived from early and authentic
sources.
Kish, the father of Saul, and Ner, the father of Abner, were brothers, the sons of
Abiel (comp. 1 Samuel 14:51). The former is described in the text as "a hero of
might," by which, as in the case of Boaz, who is similarly designated (Ruth 2:1),
were meant in those times men stalwart, strong, and true, worthy representatives and,
(^)