Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over his inheritance? – 1 Samuel 10:1

Today’s Scripture Reading (January 19, 2016): 1 Samuel 10

President Zachary Taylor’s campaign in the 1848 American Presidential Election was “For President of the People.” Taylor considered himself a fierce independent, in spite of the fact that he shared many beliefs similar to the Whig Party in the United States. But there were also some inconsistencies in the man. He was a southern land owner who openly said that he would sign a bill prohibiting the practice of owning slaves if such a bill ever reached his desk. He was staunchly against secession as a way of handling national disputes, but also seems to have developed a non-interference policy with the Latter Day Saints that were now inhabiting what was the Utah Territory. He seemed to genuinely want to live up to the campaign slogan, he hated the political elite and despised patronage and political games. His opponents never really considered him worthy candidate of the office. And during his short reign as President, he seemed to sincerely want to live up to his campaign slogan. He was not the President of the United States or the President of the Whig Party (or any other Party). He was also not the President of the South. He was the President of the People – all of the People. As President he heard their voices, but he did not restrict his policies to simply what the people might have wanted. He would endeavor to make decisions that would benefit the people as a whole. Of course, we will never know how well Taylor might have been able to do at that task. He died just over seventeen months after taking office. Conspiracy theorists still question whether his death might not have been at the hands of his enemies who assassinated by the President by using some kind of poison. But for seventeen months he got to be the “President of the People”

And Zachary’s theme has become the platform for other aspiring political candidates. The cry that “I represent the People” or even “I am the Voice of the People” is a common one in modern elections. Now, with opinion polls and other devices, we can begin to measure the response of the people to various comments made by the candidates. The polls become an incredibly important tool in every election. The voice of the people remains important to anyone who might aspire to the “President of the People.”

Saul is anointed by Samuel. But as Samuel anoints him, he reminds him that his position might have been different from any other king on earth. His kingship was not a result of his military prowess, although he proved to be an able military leader. His kingship was not dependant on his political success. He was king because God had placed him in that position. And he would rule over the people as a servant of God. He would now be the visible presence of God in Israel. And while every other nation belonged to the king who ruled over it, that was not the case with Israel. Saul might be king, but Israel was still the possession of God. And while the people were important, it was God who was the most important – and it was God’s voice that Saul need to hear. Israel was, and always would be, the inheritance of God. And the king needed to make that understanding his priority. He needed to lead Israel the way that God would lead them. Nothing else was appropriate for the nation that was the inheritance of God.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 11