 |
1 Samuel 10:27 - "But some worthless fellows said, 'How can this man save us?' And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace."
READ ALSO:
There are moments in life when God clearly lifts a man, and yet men clearly try to pull him down. There are seasons when heaven says "This is the one" and earth says "How can this one save us?" That was the exact story of Saul, the first king of Israel.
God chose Saul to be a king and to lead the nation of Israel after they requested for a king. While many Israelites were happy and gave their full support to him, some rebelled against his appointment. They made their opinion public by questioning his ability to lead the nation. As a clear act of rejection, they scorned him and refused to bring him gifts. The nation had never had a king before. So, it was unlikely they could choose any man the whole nation could completely support. Saul, understanding the situation, reacted wisely by holding his peace. He completely ignored those who were against him. But he waited for an opportunity to prove them wrong.
That last line is where our lesson lives: But he held his peace.
THE BACKGROUND OF THE TEXT
To understand this verse, we must understand the moment Israel was in.
Israel had never had a king. From the time they left Egypt, God Himself was their King. He led them through Moses, Joshua, and then through judges like Deborah, Gideon, and Samuel. But in 1 Samuel chapter 8, the elders of Israel came to Samuel and said, "Give us a king like other nations." It was not a request born out of faith, but out of comparison and fear. They wanted to be like the Philistines and the Ammonites.
God told Samuel, "They have not rejected you, they have rejected Me." Yet in His mercy, God gave them what they asked for. And God Himself chose the king. He did not allow Samuel to pick politically. He led Samuel to Saul, the son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin.
Saul was not looking for a throne. He was looking for his father's lost donkeys. He was humble. The Bible says he was taller than everyone else, handsome, and from a humble family. In 1 Samuel 9, God revealed him to Samuel. In 1 Samuel 10, Samuel anointed him privately, and then publicly presented him to all Israel at Mizpah.
When Samuel presented Saul, the people shouted, "Long live the king!" There was celebration. There was joy. Most of the nation was excited. They had wanted a king and now they had one who looked like a king.
But not everyone celebrated.
The Bible says, "But some worthless fellows" - in Hebrew, bene Beliyaal, sons of Belial, worthless, lawless, empty men - said, "How can this man save us?" They despised him and brought him no present.
In ancient culture, when a new king was crowned, it was customary to bring gifts as a sign of allegiance, honor, and submission. To refuse to bring a gift was not a small thing. It was a political statement. It was a public boycott. It was saying, "You are not our king. We do not recognize you."
They questioned his capacity: "How can this man save us?" They questioned his background: He is from Benjamin, the smallest tribe. They questioned his experience: He is just a farmer's son. They questioned his ability to deliver them from the Philistines and Ammonites.
If Saul had been insecure, this would have crushed him. If he had been proud, this would have provoked him to fight. But Saul did something extraordinary. He held his peace. He kept quiet. He acted as if he did not hear them.
The Hebrew word used there is charash, which means to be silent, to hold your peace, to be deaf to it. He chose intentional silence over impulsive reaction.
THE UNIVERSAL LAW OF REJECTION
Saul's experience teaches us a universal spiritual principle that every leader, every believer, every person called by God must learn:
Divine calling will always attract human criticism.
The moment God anoints you for something, there will be two groups of people. One group will celebrate you. Another group will tolerate you, and a third group will despise you. No calling from God has ever received 100% approval from men.
Think about it:
Joseph was called by God through dreams to be a leader, and his own brothers rejected him and said, "Shall you indeed reign over us?" Genesis 37:8.
Moses was called to deliver Israel, and Israel themselves rejected him, saying "Who made you a prince and a judge over us?" Exodus 2:14.
David was anointed king over Israel while Saul was still alive, and his own brother Eliab despised him and said, "Why have you come down? I know your pride." 1 Samuel 17:28.
Jesus Himself, the Son of God, came to His own and His own did not receive Him. John 1:11. The Pharisees said, "How can this man save us? Is this not the carpenter's son?"
Even Paul the Apostle said in 2 Timothy 4:16, "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me."
So why are you surprised that not everyone claps for you? Why are you discouraged because some people did not bring you presents? Why are you hurt because some people questioned, "How can this man, how can this woman do this?"
Rejection is not a sign that you are not called. Many times, rejection is the confirmation that you ARE called. If you were not a threat to the enemy, no one would bother to talk about you. Worthless fellows don't waste time discussing worthless people. They only discuss people who carry something valuable.
WHY DO PEOPLE REJECT US?
The men who rejected Saul are called "worthless fellows." The Bible does not say they had a valid reason. Their rejection was not based on facts. It was based on their own worthless nature.
People reject us for many reasons:
- Because of Jealousy: Sometimes people cannot stand that God chose you and not them. They were in the tribe too, but Samuel did not pick them. Jealousy made Cain kill Abel.
- Because of Familiarity: Saul was from a small tribe. People knew his father Kish. They said, "We know him. How can he be king?" Familiarity breeds contempt. Jesus could not do many mighty works in Nazareth because they knew Him as the carpenter's son.
- Because of Insecurity: When God lifts you, it exposes that others have not been lifted. Your promotion reminds them of their stagnation. So instead of celebrating you, they try to pull you down to feel better.
- Because of Ignorance: They did not know that God had spoken to Samuel about Saul. They judged by outward appearance, by tribe, by human standards. Many people reject you because they don't know what God has told you in secret.
- Because they are tools of the enemy: The devil always plants sons of Belial in every gathering to discourage the called. Their assignment is to make you abandon your assignment before you even start.
Whatever the reason, the truth remains: Not everyone will celebrate and support our calling, leadership, progress or success. Some will question our worth or doubt our capacity. The rejection or criticism may be very glaring. But let us learn to remain quiet and focused.
THE WISDOM OF HOLDING YOUR PEACE
What does it mean to hold your peace in the face of rejection? It does not mean you are weak. It does not mean you agree with them. It does not mean you are a fool.
Holding your peace is a deliberate spiritual strategy.
First, it shows that you understand the source of your appointment.
Saul knew that it was God who chose him, not men. If God chose him, then men’s opinion cannot un-choose him. When you know that God appointed you, human disappointment becomes secondary. Human approval becomes secondary when we are chosen by God. God's appointment is unaffected by human opinion.
If a company CEO appoints you as a manager, you don't lose sleep because the cleaners in the office did not clap for you. Your appointment came from a higher office. In the same way, if God has called you to start that business, to lead that department, to pastor that church, to marry that person, to go to that mission field, what mortal man says is irrelevant compared to what God has said.
Isaiah 54:17 says, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn." Notice, tongues will rise. People will talk. But you shall condemn them, not by arguing, but by outliving their criticism.
Second, holding your peace shows strength, not weakness.
The world thinks that answering back is strength. The Bible says silence is strength. Proverbs 17:28 says, "Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."
It takes more power to keep quiet than to shout back. Anyone can insult. It takes discipline to ignore an insult. Saul could have said, "Arrest those men. How dare you insult the king?" He had the power. Samuel was right there. The majority of the people supported him. But he chose to be deaf.
Jesus is our perfect example. Isaiah 53:7 says, "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth." When He was accused before Pilate, He answered nothing. When He was reviled on the cross, He did not revile back. He held His peace, and God vindicated Him by raising Him from the dead.
In the face of ridicule, remaining silent shows strength rather than weakness. When you answer every critic, you reduce yourself to their level. You show that their words control you. When you hold your peace, you show that you are controlled by a higher purpose.
Third, holding your peace gives God room to fight for you.
Exodus 14:14 says, "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
When Saul held his peace, God gave him an opportunity to prove his critics wrong just a few days later. In 1 Samuel 11, the Ammonites came against Jabesh Gilead and threatened to gouge out the right eyes of all the men. The people of Jabesh sent for help. When Saul heard it, the Spirit of God came upon him powerfully, and he mobilized all Israel and defeated the Ammonites completely.
After that great victory, all the people who had supported Saul said to Samuel, "Where are those men who said, 'How can this man save us?' Bring them so we can kill them." But Saul, in his finest hour, said, "No one shall be put to death today, for today the Lord has accomplished salvation in Israel." 1 Samuel 11:13.
God vindicated Saul without Saul having to lift a finger against his critics. When the time comes, God will justify you.
This is why you must not be deterred by rejection. Resistance is a part of every calling but God will fight your battles if you remain calm. Let us focus our attention on God and those who are willing to support us.
There are people who brought presents to Saul. There were valiant men whose hearts God had touched who went with him (1 Samuel 10:26). Why should Saul waste his time on the worthless fellows when there were valiant men ready to follow him? Why should you focus on those who despise you when God has given you people who believe in you?
Focus on your supporters, not your critics. Focus on your assignment, not your antagonists.
PRACTICAL WAYS TO REMAIN CALM IN REJECTION
How do we practice this calmness today? The workplace, the family, the church, even social media is full of rejection.
- Remember that rejection is not final: Saul was rejected on the day of his coronation, but he went on to reign for many years. People's opinions change. The same people who rejected you today may celebrate you tomorrow after God gives you victory. Don't make a permanent decision based on temporary rejection.
- Don't explain yourself to everyone: Saul didn't call a press conference to defend himself. He didn't try to convince the sons of Belial that he was qualified. Stop trying to convince everyone that you are called. Those who know you don't need explanation. Those who hate you won't believe explanation.
- Let your work speak: Saul allowed his future victory over the Ammonites to answer his critics. Let your results answer. Let your marriage succeed. Let your business grow. Let your ministry flourish. Success is the best answer to insult.
- Guard your heart from bitterness: If Saul had allowed bitterness to enter his heart, he would have started his kingship with a purge, killing his own people. Instead, he forgave. Hebrews 12:15 warns us lest any root of bitterness spring up and defile many. Rejection can make you bitter if you don't handle it well. Choose forgiveness.
- Stay connected to your Samuel: Saul had Samuel. He had a prophet who believed in him and anointed him. In times of rejection, stay close to those who know your calling - your pastor, your mentor, your godly friends. Don't isolate yourself with your critics.
- Keep bringing your own present to God: They refused to bring Saul presents. But Saul still had to bring his sacrifice to God. Don't stop serving God because men refused to honor you. Keep praying. Keep studying. Keep obeying. Your obedience to God should be your response.
CONCLUSION: GOD WILL HAVE THE LAST WORD
Beloved, are you facing rejection today? Did you get a promotion and some colleagues are not happy? Did God call you to do something and your own family is saying "How can you do it?" Did you start a work for God and some people despised you and refused to support you?
Take courage from Saul's first response. He held his peace.
Your silence is not your burial. It is your seed. God is watching how you handle rejection. If you handle it with calmness, humility and focus, He will lift you higher.
The sons of Belial asked, "How can this man save us?" Just a few chapters later, it was this same man who saved Jabesh Gilead. The question they asked in mockery became the testimony of his ability. God turned their question into his qualification.
The same people who ask today, "How can this man succeed? How can this woman lead? How can this boy preach? How can this girl start a business?" will tomorrow be forced to say, "Indeed, God used this man to save us."
Therefore, do not fight back with words. Fight with calmness. Fight with focus. Fight with obedience. Let God do the talking.
Human approval becomes secondary when we are chosen by God.
Let us pray.
Prayer: Gracious Lord, give me grace to remain focused and humble in the face of rejection. When men despise me and question my calling, help me to hold my peace and trust You to fight for me. Remove bitterness from my heart and help me to focus on You and on those You have given to support me. In Jesus name, Amen.
Insight: True leadership endures criticism with patience. The loudest critics are often the emptiest vessels. Your calmness in rejection is proof that you know who called you.
Operation Cover to Cover: Haggai 1 - 2
Take time today to read Haggai chapters 1 and 2. See how God encouraged the people who were discouraged in rebuilding the temple, and how He promised that the glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former. Your latter glory will be greater than your present rejection.
0 Comments