Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

Saul Publicly Acclaimed King
The anointing of Saul as king had not been made known to the
nation. God's choice was to be publicly revealed by casting lots.
Samuel called the people together at Mizpah for this purpose. Prayer
was offered for divine guidance, and then the solemn ceremony of
casting the lot followed the prayer. The multitude waited for the
choice in silence . One by one, the lot designated the tribe, the
family, and the household, and then Saul, the son of Kish, was
pointed out as the individual chosen.
But Saul was not in the assembly. Burdened with a sense of the
great responsibility about to fall on him, he had secretly withdrawn.
He was brought back to the congregation, who noticed with pride
that he had a kingly bearing and noble form, being "taller than any
of the people from his shoulders upward." Samuel exclaimed, "Do
you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like him
among all the people?" In response one long, loud shout of joy arose
from the throng, "Long live the king!"
Samuel then explained to the people "the rules of the
kingdom," stating the principles upon which the monarchical
government was based. The king was not to be an absolute monarch,
but to hold his power in obedience to the will of the Most High. This
message was recorded in a book. Though the nation had despised
Samuel's warning, the faithful prophet still tried to guard their
liberties as far as possible.
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