Can We Find God’s Will in Prayer? (1 Sam 10.22)

As we noted in the previous chapter, even though God did not want Israel to have a king, he did not abandon them to it. He chose the king himself and then put his spirit in him, just as he did for former judges and prophets. Even when God indulges us in something that is not best, he does not leave us alone like a jilted friend.

This story continues as God shows Samuel who he has chosen to be the king. Samuel gathers the people together, and warn them again that having a king is not a good idea. But God will grant them their wish if they insist.

What do we learn from this prayer? 

First, as we have discussed, there are times when God might indulge our requests, even if it is not good for us. In such cases, we should probably spend a lot of time trying to determine whether God really wants us to have it or not. We insist, he might give it to us, but should we insist? Even if he gives it to us, he is gracious enough to be with us through our mistake.

The second matter is the issue of Saul “inquiring” of God through the casting of lots. Casting lots was a common way of determining the will of God; not only in Israel but by all other religions, too. This is like a lottery in some ways, or perhaps throwing dice or the drawing of straws. The belief was that God (or the deity) would control the outcome. It’s still a valid way of praying? In this modern world, most of us probably think that games of chance are not the way to determine God’s will. 

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