{"id":57568,"date":"2019-06-16T16:37:56","date_gmt":"2019-06-16T13:37:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/?p=57568"},"modified":"2023-01-08T16:48:14","modified_gmt":"2023-01-08T14:48:14","slug":"samuel-empowers-saul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/samuel-empowers-saul\/","title":{"rendered":"Samuel Empowers Saul"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In verse six of this chapter Samuel informs Saul about his impending ascendance to the status of prophet and then king. Regarding the former, Samuel says that when Saul begins to prophesy, \u201cthe spirit of God will pass over you and you will be transformed into another person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his <\/span>Seven Principles of Jewish<\/span> Leadership<\/span><\/em> speaks of the difference between prophets and kings. Kings have power, which lifts a king above his people, while prophets wield influence, which lifts people above their former selves. Samuel alludes to this transformative nature of prophecy by applying that principle to the prophets themselves. By the very act of prophesying, in addition to the influence he will have over others, Saul himself will be transformed into a different person.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the very next verse (v7) Samuel counsels Saul to \u201cdo as your hand shall find (\u201cact when the occasion arises\u201d – JPS), for God is with you.\u201d Rav Amnon Bazak (Virtual Beit Midrash) theorizes that Samuel is giving Saul independence to act according to his own best judgement. In essence, Samuel is stepping back to make room for a new leader, while expressing his faith in his successor. Another of Rabbi Sacks\u2019 <\/span>Seven Principles<\/span><\/em> is believing in the people you lead. Here Samuel is demonstrating his faith in the person he is preparing for leadership, effectively practicing positive mentorship. Samuel is enabling Saul\u2019s success by articulating his ability to lead as well as his autonomy to do so, giving Saul faith in himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Artscroll translation of verse seven is \u201cdo for yourself as best you can.\u201d Though this translation also implies that Saul should use his own judgement to influence his followers, it includes what is perhaps the second most powerful gift a leader can give a follower or successor. Assuming the necessary skills and motive are in place, leaders need permission to believe that their best effort is an authentic representation of the most they can give.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the most powerful piece of Samuel\u2019s advice to Saul is \u201cfor God is with you\u201d. It hearkens back to the Exodus story of Nachshon Ben Aminadav who had to take the first step into the roiling Red Sea before God could split the water, or the Genesis story of Jacob who had to physically prepare for war before praying for God\u2019s help. In this case Saul needs to genuinely do the best he can, using his best judgment, and then know that God will be with him. <\/span><\/p>\n

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