Unsuccessful son becomes commander-in-chief

Prior to his getting into government, he had not exactly been an overwhelming success.

He was given a job, but he was clueless and ended up having to rely on the hired help for direction and even for pocket change.

But then, strange things happened and he became the commander in chief.

So we hear in today’s first reading (1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1), as Saul fails to find the lost animals he had been charged with recovering, even with the help of one of his father’s hired hand.

He could not find his something-or-other with one hand.

And then he becomes king.

What were his qualifications? He was tall and handsome and that was about it.

The people had wanted a king, Saul looked the part, God gave them the favor they asked, and they would bear the consequences.

We too need to be careful what we ask for, especially in prayer.

The people rejected the will of God and yet asked God for what they wanted, through Samuel his agent, with ultimately tragic results.

This is an important reminder that in our prayers must be attuned to the will of God, not to our own desires (which are often shallow and misdirected).

First and last, when we speak to God, our prayer must be Thy will be done.