1 Samuel 10:9–12 (ESV)
When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. 10When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. 11And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 12And a man of the place answered, “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
1 Samuel 10:26–27 (ESV)
Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. 27But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.
Saul’s initial moments after being anointed and then made king were a mixed bag. On one hand, God had touched him, he was given another heart, God’s Spirit rushed upon him and he prophesied. God stirred the hearts of men to go with him and support him when he was declared king. On the other, some people outright refused to believe in his authority and follow him. They questioned, “What happened to this guy? Who’s family is he from? How can he save us?”. And that’s why the last sentence is key: “but he held his peace”.
Saul could have been swayed by that moment. He could have caved into other’s opinions when he later had a victory and the people around him suggested he should deal with the haters. But he held his peace. He didn’t let anyone take it from him. He didn’t let it be ripped away. He held it.
This stands out so much because later, after he makes multiple mistakes and God takes His Spirit away from Saul, Saul no longer can hold his peace. He’s totally reliant on others and good situations to have peace. David playing his lyre gave him peace. But once he started to get jealous of David, his peace was gone again. His life was defined by a lack of peace. Chasing David around like a madman. Being so up and down in his emotions and thoughts that peaceful is the last adjective anyone would ever use to describe him.
To contrast him with David again, which really is the story of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, David was a man who lived in peace. Not always in peaceful situations. Whether due to being chased by Saul, war, mistakes he made, betrayal from his family, there were plenty of times outwardly he wasn’t in peace. But inwardly, in his heart, with God, he had peace. We read over and over in Psalms the torment and storms he felt, yet there always comes a turning point where he declares his peace from God. His confidence that with God his time of trial wouldn’t be for nothing or be the end. Even as his child died due to his own sin where did David go? To worship God. To return to peace knowing God is almighty, and just, and in control, and with him.
If we want to be people of peace, we have to hold onto it by continually being close to God. Holding onto Him. Holding onto His truth. Holding onto His grace and mercy. That’s how we hold our peace.