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（参看撒母耳记上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。人类需要神做他们的王，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！
主耶稣基督，祢是阿拉法和俄梅戛，祢统管地上所有的君王。我们赞美祢，因为祢是我们第一位和永远的君王。阿们。
撒母耳记上 10:17-24
17撒母耳将百姓招聚到米斯巴耶和华那里，
18对他们说：“耶和华以色列的神如此说：‘我领你们以色列人出埃及，救你们脱离埃及人的手，又救你们脱离欺压你们各国之人的手。
19你们今日却厌弃了救你们脱离一切灾难的神，说：“求你立一个王治理我们。”’现在你们应当按着支派、宗族都站在耶和华面前。”
20于是，撒母耳使以色列众支派近前来掣签，就掣出便雅悯支派来；
21又使便雅悯支派按着宗族近前来，就掣出玛特利族；从其中，又掣出基士的儿子扫罗。众人寻找他却寻不着，
22就问耶和华说：“那人到这里来了没有？”耶和华说：“他藏在器具中了。”
23众人就跑去从那里领出他来。他站在百姓中间，身体比众民高过一头。
24撒母耳对众民说：“你们看耶和华所拣选的人，众民中有可比他的吗？”众民就大声欢呼说：“愿王万岁！”
"You have now rejected your God . . . and have said, 'No, appoint a king over us.'" - 1 Samuel 10:19
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!
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Alpha and Omega, the ruler of the kings of the earth. We praise you as our first and forever King. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
