In 1 Samuel 10, 11, and 12, our story has a back-and-forth feel like a game…a chess game. Each team now has a king. Team Israel has a king – Saul. Team God has a king – God and a voice — Samuel.
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The irony is that Israel should be on Team God but they are not. They want their own team. What they have forgotten is that Team God always wins. There is no point wasting time trying to play a game to replace God. Which is a great lesson for us!
Why try to play a game with God where we attempt to make up the rules to suit our own needs when we know we will not win! In the game of life, the rules have been laid out in the Bible. Any play outside what God has decreed good for us will be bad for us. God will let us play the way we want, that is our choice.
In the end, when we lose, get hurt, suffer consequences, sorrowfully regret or petulantly pout…God will not gloat as the victor, he will grieve. And like a parent, He will urge us to play again. On his team — Team God – With His rules, His way, and with His truth. For He is the way, the truth and the only way to win at life.
John 14:5
5 Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
In this Game of Chess, Team Israel made the first move by demanding a king. God responded by giving them Saul. Saul responded by questioning the call to be king. It is God’s move.
Scene 1: God Moves By Changing Saul’s Heart
In Scene 2: The Public Reveals Makes God’s Choice Clear
Scene 3: Saul Scores a Victory and the Peoples’ Approval
Scene 4: Everyone is Happy Except Samuel
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The author of this article is Hayley Mowatt, producer of Bible Book Club.
