1 Samuel 16:4

1 Samuel 16:4
We are so used to a rule of law. We do not have personal experience with a rule of men. Maybe with Obama we might get to experience it. But that's another story.

Men can be capricious. It is scary when so much power is invested in one man.Israel has come to regret perhaps demanding a king.

Saul, we are going to see later, can be very capricious. By this time have the people already experienced some of it.

So 1 Samuel 16:4 brings a chuckle to my heart. Why? The elders tremble to meet Samuel. This is sort of a meeting of state with a man no longer in power. Samuel is like a former president or a former prime minister. You still give him respect but it is awkward.

But the people of Bethlehem know Samuel is not in favor with the new king. What has occurred between the confrontation described in chapter 15 and the events of chapter 16? Has Saul forbid Samuel from traveling? Saul, as king, has the power of life or death. It is scary for one man to have such power. So that is why the elders of Bethlehem tremble when they meet Samuel and ask if he comes in peace.

What does it mean to come in peace? Do they suspect that Samuel might foment revolution. In a sense, a real sense, Samuel is not telling the truth here. Samuel has come to commit treason. He is planning to anoint a new king. This is certain to be the same as fomenting revolution. He may come in God's peace but it means the opposite of peace to Saul and his descendants.

1 Samuel 16:2 - Samuel also fears Saul. Something must have gone on between the last visit that we read about in chapter 15 and now. We do not know why Samuel would fear traveling. Samuel hears God and responds with a comment. God does not disagree with Samuel's assessment of the situation. God comes up with a solution. He essentially travels with a cover story. He is like a spy in a modern movie.