365 Reflections

It must be noted that Saul is the answer to the people's request for a "king like all the other nations" around them. The reason this must be noted is that Saul is not a King like the Lord God. That will be revealed later in an unexpected character to come. So far in the narrative, we see the elements in Saul that the Israelites would have seen in the kings of other nations. First Saul is from a prestigious family. 1 Samuel 9:1 (ESV) There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. Second Saul is tall and handsome. 1 Samuel 9:2 (ESV) Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. It would be wise to remember Israel's history for being short and visually insignificant to the nations around them. Saul is the first Israelite noted for his stature. ...

Genesis 12:10–13 (ESV)   Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” On the surface of things, this moment in Abram's life is really bad. He totally gives in to the pressure of the circumstances by fleeing to Egypt. Then he connives his way to prosperity even using his wife as some kind of "slave-trade" leverage. He failed God. No doubt about it.  But let's be honest, Abram has been facing some severe pressures... and having nothing to eat was the last straw.  - He lost his father. - He left his homeland. - He couldn't settl...