Tall Is Not All There Is

Sometimes God gives us what we ask for to show us it is NOT what we need.   ~~~   From the introduction in 1 Samuel 9, it seems to us like Saul is a good choice to be king over Israel. Wealthy, strong, handsome. What is not to like? But embedded within each of the next several scenes are very undesirable characteristics that the first audience would have picked up on, and that we need to pick up on, so that we might see and understand that sometimes God gives us what we ask for to show us it is NOT what we need. One of the first noticeable features that we learn about Saul is that he is the most handsome man in Israel and incredibly tall. What a sight to behold! But the first audience would have picked up on something. They would have known their bible and they would remember that Saul is the first Israelite noted as being especially tall. All the other people recognized for their physical stature and size were Israel’s enemies, men and people who did not follow after God. Numbers 13:33—“we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers (in comparison to them)” Deut. 1:28 “the brothers have made our heart melt saying, “The people are greater and taller than we.” Deut. 2:10 “(the Emim formerly lived there, a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim.) Deut. 9:2 “…a people great and tall, the sons of Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you have heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the sons of Anak?’” 1 Samuel 17:4—Goliath—nearly 9’ What are to learn from this? Is this just a coincidental circumstance? Are all tall people evil? No. Remember, the people wanted a king like the other nations, and what they saw was that might and strength were wrapped up in physical appearance and height. If you were tall it was understood that you were to be mighty and strong. Just like in some third world countries, an overweight person is thought to be wealthy because they have means to eat abundantly. Listen, there is nothing wrong with Saul being tall. The fault comes in that the people believed that made him a great leader. They are getting what they desired, but what they desired is not what they needed, as we will soon see.