As king, Saul had no preparation.? When he left the presence of Samuel, God had prepared for him a means of governing the nation of Israel.? Samuel had told him he would meet a band of prophets and the Spirit of God would come upon him ?and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.? 1 Samuel 10:6?? Many are the confusing thoughts coming from Bible scholars about the reason Saul received the Spirit.? Verse 9 gives the answer so clearly we cannot but help to understand.? ?And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.?
???? Usually, when studied, the anti-type of this incident gives us great information.? There are many who do not understand the effects of the ?gift of the Holy Spirit? on the newly ?born again? child of God after baptism, if, in fact they believe there is any effect at all!!? As with Saul, so with the new born-they are not prepared for the journey of faith about to be undertaken! ?As with Saul, so with us, we need help!!? The forgiveness of sins brought about by the burial in water will not prepare us for the life in Christ.? The incident we are studying with Saul gives the best explanation I have seen for the purpose of this GREAT gift. ?In the example, Saul had been looking for the donkey of his father-not the kingship of Israel.? He had wondered all over the place looking for the animal.? His heart was truly in the right place?but to prepare him for kingship his heart was not prepared. ??Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying ?Tomorrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over My people Israel, that he may save My people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon My people, because their cry is come unto Me.? 1 Samuel 9:15-16?? Saul was coming to see Samuel, but about an entirely different matter, Saul was looking for his father?s donkey!! ?
???? On the day of Pentecost the Jews had gathered together to celebrate one of three religious observances of their religion.? Their purpose was celebrate the harvest of food they anticipated by planting.? God was going to start the Church of Christ in Jerusalem, that day.? They were totally unprepared for that that was coming!!? Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit preached them Jesus.? 3,000 men obeyed the gospel, their sins were forgiven, and they were added to the Church of Christ by the founder and head, Jesus Christ.? Leaving the company of the apostles, this group of believers would not be able to ?continue faithful unto death.?? God gave them a gift that would allow them to be what they had become!!? As with Saul, there was celebration afoot that day.? The prophets were coming down from the high place with psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe.? ?Then they that gladly received the word were baptized.?? ?And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied? or ?when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, ?What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets??? ??????????????
???? Unfortunately for Saul, like Simon Magus-his heart quickly turned again to the corruption from which it had been delivered.? Saul went on to attempt the murder of David many times as did his counter-part Simon.? Simon, as history records, hounded Peter the rest of his time and it was at the bust of Simon Magus, on the Appian Way that Paul the apostle was beheaded.? Simon Magus had become a ?god? in Rome.?
???? No one is trying to equate the ?new heart? of Saul to the ?new birth? of the saints of God, but there WAS a change that took place, for a while.
