“The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.” 13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.” 14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.” 1 Samuel 11.12-15
There had been enough bloodshed. Saul reminded the people that “the Lord had rescued Israel” from the hand of the Ammonites, and no one disgruntled with his kingship would die that day. To confirm his reign, the people all went to Gilgal to renew the kingship. There, they made Saul king “in the presence of the Lord,” sacrificed fellowship offerings, and held a great celebration.
Saul’s coronation was not what it could have been. From the outset, there was dissension. Even before Saul began his reign—which, by the way, would not be great—people were already questioning his leadership. Despite the grumblings, they went to Gilgal and coronated him, sacrificing before the Lord and the entire nation.
Thinking about it, England does something similar during a coronation. They acknowledge a higher power—not just any power, but the God of the Bible. Much of their ceremony is about submitting first to God and then to the king. Even their motto, “God save the Queen” (or King), reflects this: without God, the monarch is powerless. Did they perhaps learn this from the Israelites?
Our lesson today is to remember to make the Lord king and not to place our ultimate hope or trust in an earthly ruler. This is especially relevant during an election season, as many people feel they have so much at stake and want their candidate to win. But the true candidate is the Lord. Human leaders will come and go, but the Lord remains steadfast forever. He is our Sovereign; He is our God.
Would you make the Lord your king this day? Would you call upon His name and lift Him up? Trust Him with your heart. Find Him willing and able to save you, redeem you, and love you with an everlasting love.
“O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for saving us. Thank you for your grace and truth in my life. When my love fails, your love remains steadfast. Come now, Holy Spirit, reign in me. For you are my Lord and King. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen