“And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they made sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.” (v.15)
Throughout the history of the nation of Israel, the people have turned their backs on God and questioned His chosen leaders. In our reading today Saul, who’s kingship had been rejected back in chapter 10 by many, leads an army of three hundred thousand men to liberate those Israelites who had chosen to live on the other side of the Jordan river. Then, upon his success, Saul wisely attributed the victory to God alone (v.13).
The choice of Saul as king, privately made by God through Samuel, and publicly confirmed by the election at Mizpah, had now received complete ratification in his victory over Nahash. His detractors were silenced, and the unanimous consent of the people was made evident by all who gathered both to make sacrifices and rejoice before the LORD. Thus, God's chosen man was made king.
There’s an old saying, “Love conquers all.” It was Saul’s love for his country, even those who chose to separate themselves across the Jordan, that united the nation behind him. But the LORD saw him even before he was born. If only he love the LORD with all of his heart.
The Truth: “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2)
