Day 1036: Finishing well - 1 Samuel 11 vs 8 - 15

8-10 When he mustered the people of Israel at Bezek, they were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance.’” When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad. Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” 11 And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

12-13 Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.” 14-15 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. 1 Samuel 11:8-15 English Standard Version

The people of Jabesh-gilead had been given a terrifying ultimatum by the Ammonites. Either we destroy your city, or you have your right eye gouged out and become our slaves. This shows us what sort of people the Ammonites (and many other nations) were like in those days. Saul had been angered by such a cruel demand and he called the Israelites to battle. The battle was decisively won and the surviving Ammonites fled. This would have lifted Saul up in the eyes of Israel, and even made them feel justified in having demanded that God give them a King like the nations around them. And what would have made them feel even better about Saul? (vs 12-13)

After Samuel had told the people that Saul was the man God had chosen, Chapter 10 had ended with the words: “Saul went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valour whose hearts God had touched. But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.” There were some who despised the man Samuel had anointed. Now, after his great victory, the people wanted those men to be dealt with. Saul, however, showed a gracious spirit in saying that it was not a day for personal vengeance since God had given the nation such a sweeping victory over their real enemies.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Saul started well. He had hidden away when the people were casting lots to seek God's will, even though Samuel had already told him he was the one God was going to use, and now he shows a spirit of forgiveness towards those who’d spoken evil of him. Later, when the young shepherd David was to come on the scene, Saul's behaviour changed for the worse. But, at the time of his victory, he showed a more gracious spirit. This probably encouraged Samuel too. He called the people to renew their loyalty to the King, and they joyfully celebrated and praised God. (vs 14-15)

There's an important lesson from Saul's life. A good start in spiritual things isn't a guarantee of a good finish. Jesus spoke of people who 'receive the gospel with joy' when they hear it, but only believe for a while. In the time of testing they fall away. He said that there are others who also receive the gospel, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and don't mature. Years later, the apostle Peter, who had heard Jesus' words, wrote to Christians and said: “Make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8) If we've believed the gospel, we need to build on it in a way that we don't falter, but finish well.