Introduction

Samuel knew that Saul’s leadership was over. It probably troubled him a great deal to have to anoint a successor. It’s never comfortable telling someone they’re going to be replaced. But Samuel listened to God speaking to him and followed his strange guidance in selecting a replacement for Saul.

Samuel knew that Saul would not agree to giving up his power. In fact, Saul could probably be counted on to throw one of his famous fits and fly into a murderous rage. So the anointing would have to be in secret. And so it was. The symbolic act only marked out the man who was to be king; he did not become king immediately.

1. It’s God’s Choice

From start to finish the man who would in due course replace Saul was God’s choice. God chose to make the change. He chose the tribe - Judah. He …