Daily Devotion 1st October 2018

Some might be thinking of a recent historical or even a 21st century model of monarchy; some envisaging a picture book royal family – king and queen sitting side by side on grand thrones, raised above the court by a few steps, and each with a little gold crown on their heads; yet others might be considering Scriptural and liturgical models.  Many may have other equally valid images.

The common ground is that every king will have been in some way called to and selected for the role. Monarchy is as much about being as doing, as much about personhood and relationship as role, rule and regulation.

Here we see the process Samuel used to establish this first human monarchy in Israel.  Saul was relatively unknown and had no great experience or achievements behind him and yet he was the one chosen in a very thorough selection procedure.

This being a first monarchy there may have been many and varied expectations of the King but chosen in a model of transparency and clarity which still stands up even to 21st Century scrutiny.  The gradual narrowing of the field undertaken in such a way that everyone knew what was happening. The role descriptor and job description prepared, written and laid before the Lord again available to all or at least to all those who could read.

It excites me that here in Scripture and in a description of some of the earliest history of the Hebrew people we are seeing such a powerful three-way model of transparency, responsibility and accountability to the King, the people and to God. “The Word has yet more light and truth…………”