阅读经文 

当文化群体和国家谈到他们的第一位君王时，他们的故事往往都是很感人的。神话般的出生、漫长艰难的寻觅、英勇的成就和不可思议的仪式，都是故事中的某些情节。可是，今天的经文谈到以色列民第一次立王时，它的口气却出人意料之外。

耶和华藉着撒母耳说的话，听起来显示出祂的心差不多被伤透了。（参撒上 8）在耶和华策划之下，藉着掣签的方法，扫罗被拣选作王。当扫罗被选出来后，众人便去找寻他，但他却躲藏起来。从某个角度来看，这个故事竟然在以色列历史中出现，实在令人感到惊讶。

事实上，谁是以色列民的第一位君王？以色列民第一位和真正的君王不是别人，乃是耶和华自己。扫罗只不过是地上的临时代表，在扫罗之后每一个在地上有缺点的君王也是如此。以色列君王的历史中，总有张力和矛盾存在。这个有耶和华作王的国家，应否同时寻找一个地上的君王呢？

然而，在这件事上，我们看到神美善、仁慈和长远的计划。人类需要神作他们的王，这是首要的，但人类也需要一个有血有肉的君王。这个矛盾一直是一个谜，直到耶稣的王权到来，才解开了这个谜。神差遣祂的儿子——有完全的神性和完全的人性——成为我们第一位和永远的君王！

When cultures and nations tell about their first king, the stories are often impressive. Mythical births, epic quests, heroic achievements, and magical ceremonies fit into the mix. But today's passage tells us of the first time Israel gets a king, and the tone is surprising.

The Lord speaks through Samuel and sounds almost heart-broken . (see also 1 Samuel 8) The choosing of Saul as king is orchestrated by the Lord through a method of casting lots. When Saul is chosen and the people look around for him, he is hiding. In a way, it's remarkable that this story is even mentioned in Israel's history.

Who is actually Israel's first king? Israel's first and true king is none other than the Lord. Saul is merely a temporary, earthly stand-in. And so are all the flawed, human kings who come after Saul. There is a tension and paradox in the history of Israel's kings. Should a nation with the Lord as King also seek a human king?

But in this we see God's good, gracious, and long-term plan. Humanity needs God as King first of all. But humanity also needs a human king. The paradox remains a riddle until it is solved in the kingship of Jesus. God sent his Son—fully God and fully human—to be our first and forever King!