April 10th
In today’s reading—1st Samuel 9–12—we witness the beginning of Israel’s monarchy with an event that feels uncannily familiar but surprisingly reversed. Back on April 6, I mentioned the final spiral that set the stage for the emergence of a monarchy in Israel. I didn’t go into the details of Benjamin’s downfall at the time, but here’s a quick overview from 30,000 feet:
While a Levite was traveling through the territory of Benjamin, his concubine was brutally abused in the town of Gibeah. After she died, the Levite cut her body into twelve pieces and sent them to the tribes of Israel, saying,
Behold, you people of Israel, all of you, give your advice and counsel here.”
Every tribe except Benjamin responded in outrage. A civil war followed and the tribe of Benjamin was almost eradicated.
Fast-forward up to 300 years later. Samuel now anoints Saul—of the tribe of Benjamin—as Israel’s first king. The people had asked for a king to rule over them, and while God granted their request, not everyone was on board. “Worthless fellows” mocked Saul’s appointment. Perhaps their distrust stemmed from Benjamin’s historical baggage. But God is not bound by human history or cultural prejudices—He is the God of second chances for all those who surrender to Him. It is not enough to have a capable leader. Israel needed a king led by the Spirit. And Benjamin needed redemption—God gave both. In 1st Samuel 10:6 we read,
“Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.”
The opportunities for our transformation begin with the Spirit—not with the man. Saul was not merely stepping up; but was God stepping in.
Saul’s first test of leadership came quickly. When the Ammonites set themselves against Jabesh-Gilead, the town cried out for help. This time, the response didn’t come from a Levite with a corpse—but from a Benjamite filled with His Holy Spirit. Saul, living in Gibeah, heard the call and rallied Israel. He cut up a yoke of oxen, sent the pieces throughout Israel, and the result—A unified force of 330,000 Israelites and a decisive victory.
God had flipped the script: righteousness now came out of Gibeah. The town and tribe once shamed became the tribe and town that saved.
It’s worth remembering that Israel’s desire for a king was rooted in rebellion—they wanted someone other than God to lead them. Yet even in their rejection, God remained gracious, weaving redemption through the very tribe that had once nearly been erased. This pattern will repeat through the kings that follow, as God continues to offer Israel chance after chance to do what is right.
We’re reminded in 2 Corinthians 5:16–17 that this kind of transformation is not a once-in-a-generation phenomenon. Today it is available to all those who trust in Jesus.
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Takeaway: No matter what your past looks like, God can write a new story. Like Saul and the tribe of Benjamin, your history doesn’t define your present opportunity. The Spirit of God makes all things new. Don’t let shame silence your calling—let the Spirit shape your future.