It looks like Saul showed them. At the end of chapter 10, some malcontents had grumbled, “How can this one deliver us?” But by the end of chapter 11, Saul was victorious over the Ammonites, the descendants of Abraham’s nephew Lot who lived east of God’s people. Saul had cleverly divided his forces, successfully attacking the Ammonites from different directions early in the morning, catching them unawares (11:11). And at the end of the battle, Saul showed his magnanimity, refusing to take vengeance on those who doubted that he had been up to the job. Saul even gave all the credit to God for his victory (11:12-13).

But just because things ended well for Saul doesn’t mean he was completely in line with God’s will for his life. After all, the prophet Samuel had made it clear that he was to be the King of Israel (10:1), and Samuel’s word had been confirmed by the casting of lots (10:20-21). And “all the people” had agreed with God’s decision, shouting their support for Saul (10:24). Saul thus had both divine and popular support to judge the people and lead them into battle.

So isn’t it strange that, when the messengers came to report the urgent problem of Ammonite aggression against Jabesh-gilead, they found Saul plowing his field behind his oxen? Instead of taking the initiative to find out what was going on within his kingdom, and instead of organizing his troops so that they could be ready to defend against an enemy attack, Saul continued to be oblivious to his people’s problems. Moreover, it seems that the only reason he left his plow and went into battle was because the “Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily” (verse 6). In short, God seems to have had to overcome Saul’s resistant will, compelling Saul to do his duty.

And notice the tactics Saul used to muster his army. Instead of depending on his popularity or appealing to his divine appointment, instead of rousing the loyalties of the people and exhorting them to trust in the Lord, Saul resorted to the use of fear: if anyone didn’t show up for the battle, his oxen would be cut into pieces. And just to show how deadly serious he was, Saul butchered his own animals and sent the pieces as gruesome warnings throughout all the territory of his kingdom (11:7).

Oh, yes, Saul’s reluctance to fight was eventually overcome, and his bullying ways ended up being effective. And in the same way, God continues to be sovereign over all the circumstances of our lives. God can even use us to accomplish His will, in spite of our sin and regardless of our contrary desires. But wouldn’t it be better for us to do God’s will with confidence and joy – because we want to?

I Samuel 10:27-11:15 (NASB)

27 But certain worthless men said, “How can this one deliver us?” And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But he kept silent.

11:1 Now Nahash the Ammonite came up and besieged Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us and we will serve you.”
2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “I will make it with you on this condition, that I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you, thus I will make it a reproach on all Israel.”
3 And the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to deliver us, we will come out to you.”
4 Then the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and spoke these words in the hearing of the people, and all the people lifted up their voices and wept.
5 Now behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen; and he said, “What is the matter with the people that they weep?” So they related to him the words of the men of Jabesh.
6 Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and he became very angry.
7 And he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” Then the dread of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
8 And he numbered them in Bezek; and the sons of Israel were 300,000, and the men of Judah 30,000.
9 And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus you shall say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance.'” So the messengers went and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
10 Then the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.”
11 And it happened the next morning that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp at the morning watch, and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And it came about that those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
12 Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is he that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.”
13 But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has accomplished deliverance in Israel.”
14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come and let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.”
15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they also offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.