Daily Devotional

“And Samuel said to all the people, ‘Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?’ ” (1 Samuel 10:24). 

Just a few months after King Richard III’s skeleton was discovered un- der a parking lot in Leicester, England, a team of craniofacial identification specialists recreated a 3-D digital bust from the 500-year-old skull. Richard III ruled England between 1483 and 1485 during the Wars of the Roses. He was killed by the army of Henry Tudor and was quickly buried by Franciscan monks of Grey Friars at their church. His remains were rediscovered in September 2012. 

The facial reconstruction team from the University of Dundee used blind-tested methods to make the model of King Richard III’s face. Portraits were not used as a reference—only his remains. When it was unveiled, Caroline Wilkinson, the professor leading the group, commented, “It doesn’t look like the face of a tyrant. He’s very handsome.” 

When Samuel announced the new king of Israel, he cast lots until a man from the tribe of Benjamin was revealed. His name was Saul. In today’s vernacular, we would say that he was tall, dark, and handsome. Without hesitation the people shouted, “Long live the king!” Saul had many admirable qualities that fit his royal role. He was of large stature. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, which was centrally located in Israel. This made his position more appealing to the tribes in the north and south. 

Saul was born into a wealthy family. He had all the marks of a leader desired by the children of Israel. He looked like a king. These were the characteristics that people wanted in their commander. They were not disappointed. Soon after, he showed himself a capable military leader by defeating the Philistines. But the external bearing of this tall monarch fell short of the internal qualities needed to lead wisely. 

We are naturally attracted to handsome kings and beautiful queens, but we should always remember that God values most “the hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4). 

Lord, may I grow inwardly into Your likeness, conducting myself as a child of the King.