1 Samuel 10:1-7: a reflection

1Then Samuel took the vial of oil and poured it on his head, then kissed him and said, “Hasn’t the LORD anointed you to be prince over his inheritance? 2When you have departed from me today, then you will find two men by Rachel’s tomb, on the border of Benjamin at Zelzah. They will tell you, ‘The donkeys which you went to look for have been found; and behold, your father has stopped caring about the donkeys and is anxious for you, saying, “What shall I do for my son?”’ 3“Then you will go on forward from there, and you will come to the oak of Tabor. Three men will meet you there going up to God to Bethel: one carrying three young goats, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a container of wine. 4They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive from their hand. 5“After that you will come to the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is; and it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with a lute, a tambourine, a pipe, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying. 6Then the LORD’s Spirit will come mightily on you, then you will prophesy with them and will be turned into another man. 7Let it be, when these signs have come to you, that you do what is appropriate for the occasion; for God is with you.

Samuel anoints Saul secretly, pours oil on his head, and tells him God has appointed him. Then he gives Saul a series of signs to confirm it, men he will meet, things they will say, and finally this: the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will be turned into another man. God does not just hand Saul a title; he promises to change him for it.

Notice that word: you will be turned into another man. God does not merely assign a task and leave you to muster the ability for it. When he calls, he also transforms, giving what the calling requires, making the person new for the thing he has appointed. And notice Samuel's freeing instruction: when these signs come, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. Not a rigid script, but a trusting freedom, act, and God is with you.

There is encouragement here for anyone who feels unequal to what God seems to be calling them toward. God's way is not to demand you become adequate on your own first, but to change you as you go, and to be with you in the doing. If God has put something in front of you that feels beyond you, hear both promises given to Saul: he will make you more than you were, and he will be with you. Do what your hand finds to do; God is with you.

Lord, you do not only call; you transform and accompany. When I feel unequal to what you set before me, change me for it as you go, and remind me that you are with me. Help me do what my hand finds to do, trusting your presence.