Saul and the Asses

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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The man of the people's choice—the man who was the result of their carnal tastes—now appears. Remarkably, he first comes before us in connection with asses, in striking contrast with the man of the Lord's choice, who had the care of sheep and lambs (Psalm 78:70-7270He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 72So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. (Psalm 78:70‑72)). Saul even lost the asses, and although they were ultimately recovered, it was not he who found them (1 Sam. 9:2020And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? (1 Samuel 9:20)). David, on the other hand, at serious risk to himself, recovered a lamb from two ferocious enemies, a lion and a bear (1 Sam. 17:3737David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. (1 Samuel 17:37)). How suggestive are the lessons here! The ass is the symbol of poor, turbulent flesh, “For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt” (Job 11:1212For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. (Job 11:12)); and the offspring of man in Israel had to be redeemed with a lamb just as did the offspring of the ass (Ex. 13:1313And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. (Exodus 13:13)). Sheep and lambs, on the contrary, are the symbols throughout the Word of God of God's own true people. For these, Saul had neither the heart nor the fitness to care. A captain he might be; a shepherd he was not.