February 23, 2024

Saul proves he will be a useful king. Nahash, an Ammonite, sought to oppress the people of Jabeshgilead, but the citizens met with them to facilitate a deal to make them their servants rather than kill them. Nahash offered them the deal to put out one of their eyes and then make servants out of them; he gave them a week to decide. They sent a messenger to Saul, and the spirit of the Lord came over him because of the people's weeping. Right there, in the field where he was attending his herds, he killed his ox and sent pieces to each city in Israel, telling them that he would kill their ox just like this if they didn't send a regimen of fighting soldiers to help their people in Gilead. All the fighting men were assembled under the command of Saul and showed up before time was up. They killed most of the Ammonite soldiers, sending the rest back home without their friends. Because of the victory, some of the men wanted to kill those who doubted that Saul would be a good king, but Saul was so happy over the victory that he told them that no one would be killed that day. They celebrated by giving God a peace offering. 

What are your first thoughts after a victory? Even when I see the victory coming, I immediately praise God before it happens. Then, when it is accomplished at the hand of God, I am ecstatic and praise him some more! Do yourself a favor and praise God during your weeping. He will hear you and devise a plan; it may take time to work out the details, but He will be victorious on your behalf.

Be a peace. Help is on the way!

Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there. And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. 1 Samuel 11:14-15