Day 106: Saul is Chosen

Today's readings: 1 Samuel 9-10 and Proverbs 6:23-35.

I. 1 Samuel 9 recounts how Saul is chosen and becomes king in Israel. It begins with Saul looking for lost donkeys, and after failing to find them, he is advised to consult a "man of God," the prophet Samuel. At the end of the chapter, and into the beginning of the next, Saul is anointed king by Samuel.

In the next chapter, after Saul is anointed by Samuel, the latter tells him where to go to confirm God's calling and that his lost donkeys will be found. It is said that "God gave him another heart," and Saul prophesied with the prophets he was supposed to meet, astonishing others. Saul returns home and lets his family know the donkeys have been found, but he says nothing else. Soon afterward, Samuel calls all the people together in Mizpah and lets them know that Israel now has a king, as they wished. It is Saul.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, notes:

When Samuel anoints Saul, he says the Spirit of God will come upon him and make him a new creation. This is what happens in Baptism: through water and anointing, we are made new in the Holy Spirit and are anointed to share in Christ's threefold ministry as priest, prophet, and king. We can identify with Saul. Even though he is not the most heroic of characters, he is not thoroughly corrupt. Like many of us, he is wounded and cares too much about what other people think. (p. 228)

II.  In Proverbs 6:23-35, we again get advice to young men and finally reach the end of this proverb. As the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

Again the young man is warned against the wiles of the adulterous woman. He is put on guard against her seductive speech, her captivating beauty, and her flirtatious gestures. The price of giving in to lustful attraction is nothing less than his "life" (CCC 2351). (p. 969)

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

One does not need to indulge in sexual appetites, so fornication and adultery are always condemned. How often do we sin in seeking things we do not even need? This shows our brokenness. We must always ask the Lord for his mercy and forgiveness, as well as for reconciliation and healing, so we can avoid these sins in the future. (p. 228)

That's all for today!