Big Idea: The security of God’s covenant people depends on their allegiance to the Lord, who remains committed to them.

Understanding the Text

This chapter provides a fitting conclusion to the story of Saul’s accession to kingship. Facing a serious military threat from the Ammonites (12:12), Israel demanded a king like all the nations, for they thought such a king, supported by a standing army, would give them the security they so desperately needed (8:19–20). When the time came to choose this king, the Lord made it clear he was not going to give them what they wanted. He would give them a leader to deliver them from their enemies (9:16–17), but the king would be subject to the “regulations of kingship” provided in the law (10:25 AT; cf. Deut. 17:14–20). Saul, the Lord’s chosen king, app…