The three chapters in today’s assignment tell how the people of Israel rejected the idea of living in freedom under the direct government of God and demanded that a monarchy be established so that they could be like all the godless nations around them. What a sad state of affairs! Samuel was distressed by this proposal, and he prayed long and hard about it; but, God told him to go ahead and give the people what they wanted. So, Saul was chosen and duly anointed, and went home to begin setting the affairs of the kingdom in order.
“But,” says the last verse of 1 Samuel 10, “the children of Belial said, ‘How shall this man save us?’ And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.”
The expression “children of Belial” doesn’t refer to actual sons and/or daughters of a man whose name happened to be “Belial” — it’s a metaphorical expression that means “wicked people.” Since God had chosen Saul to be the king, it would be wicked for anyone to oppose his rule. These wicked people (Saul’s enemies) questioned his ability to “save” them (to rule the country effectively). So, they “despised” him, which means that they ignored him (paid no attention to him). Plus, they “brought him no presents” (which means, they refused to pay taxes to him as required by the laws of the monarchy). Most kings, in that situation, would have sent soldiers out to destroy such traitors; but Saul, in a rare moment of true humility, “held his peace” (took no action against them). Rather, he left the situation in God’s hands. His reign was off to a surprisingly good start.
When your enemies despise you, don’t fight them. Trust your situation to God. He is more than able to work it out for you if you let him.
John H. Roller, Hickory, N.C.
Extended Scripture: 1 Samuel 8–10
