Saul offered an unlawful sacrifice and had to face the consequennces of his sin. God rejects those who profane his holy things and refuse to follow his prescribed ways of worship.

Israel rejected God as their king in order to have a human king to deliver them from the hand of of their enemies. The problem was that they were helpless against their enemies without God. They needed him and so do we.

Do not trust in princes of the earth, for they will let you down. Do not trsut in things that cannot profit you nor deliver you. It's a waste. Rather, trust the Lord and he will be you God into eternity.

Samuel was a man of tremendous integrity. There was no charge to labeled against him, and because of that, he was well respected among God's people. Integrity matters in our lives as well.

For the first time during his reign, King Saul delivered his people from their enemies. By the power of God, he is beginning to take his place as leader and deliverer of his fellow Israelites.

Saul was "randomly" chosen to lead the people, or so it appeared to them. However, God is as sovereign over the random things in life as he is over those which appear to be clearly planned.

Samuel nointd Saul to be king over the people of Israel. He would deliver the peopel from their enemies and reign over the Israelites, and he'd receive the blessing from the Lord as long as he reamined in the Lord's will.

God prepared Saul for Israel and Israel for Saul. There was nothing left for chance in this momentous meeting between the prophet and future king. The people made their choice freely as did God.

1 Samuel 9 introduces us to the future king of Israel -- Saul. He has all the worldly qualificatios and looks the part. He's the most intimidating figure in all of Isarel, but is he qualified to lead in accordance with God's will?

Samuel told the people of Israel to be careful what they ask for when asking for a king. They wantedto be like every other nation around them; yet, they weren't like every other nation around them. They were the Lord's.