Looking good

There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people...
And Saul answered and said, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?”
Now Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and had them sit in the place of honor among those who were invited; there were about thirty persons. And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it apart.’ ” So the cook took up the thigh with its upper part and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, “Here it is, what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat; for until this time it has been kept for you, since I said I invited the people.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
When they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the top of the house. They arose early; and it was about the dawning of the day that Samuel called to Saul on the top of the house, saying, “Get up, that I may send you on your way.” And Saul arose, and both of them went outside, he and Samuel. 1 Samuel 9.1-2;21-26

God’s choice for Israel’s first king was a man named Saul. Though he was shy and retiring he seemed like a good choice. He must have suited the people with his stature and his good looks. He was also a humble man and humility is a trait that God always honours.

Samuel set up a meeting with Saul. They met and Samuel told Saul God’s plans for him.

You have to like Saul when he becomes king. He sure looks like the right guy. Israel must be feeling pretty good about things.

The problem is that you can’t always judge the success of a man by his appearance. We are going to see that Saul was not all he was cracked up to be.

The world judges by all that it can see – God knows the heart. The people must have though Samuel was being way to cautious with all his warnings. But God knew the whole story.