1 Samuel 9

Chapter Introduction

This great adventure has no accidents, only callings, purpose, meaning, and opportunity. We must have eyes to see, ears to hear, and faith to respond humbly.

The wise God serves very great and certain purposes by seemingly small and casual affairs. Let us therefore remember that promotions come not by chance and that faithfulness and humility on the path of present duty are the key to exaltation at the hands of God.

Brooks, K. (2009). Summarized Bible (p. 59).

There is a sense of foreboding as Saul is called to be king. He is portrayed as somewhat inept and spiritually ignorant, but he is perfect to give Israel what they desire.

1 Samuel 9:1-2

Saul is introduced as a man from Benjamin, similar to the introduction of Samuel’s father. We’ll see several contrasts between Saul and Samuel along the way. Keep your eyes and ears open. What do you see?

Saul was an impressive, imposing figure, a head taller than anyone else. His father was a mighty man of power. This meant he was wealthy and influential. He was a Benjamite – a tribe of small influence and power due to its past (Judges 20). They were not a priestly or kingly tribe.. If the qualifications for being King said impressive, tall, good-looking man of influence and wealth, then Saul was the guy.

Unfortunately, those are the qualifications of the nation’s kings whom they were emulating. God’s counsel was missing from these first few verses, indicative of the spiritual state of the people in the land at this time. They were far from God and seeking leaders of the same state.

1 Samuel 9:3-5

Saul is first seen as an incompetent shepherd who can’t find his animals to care for them. We’ll later see David introduced as a faithful and competent shepherd. Many of the great leaders of the Bible are described as good shepherds, and their faithfulness and obedience to God are included.

Saul was sent looking for his father’s donkeys. His trip through these various territories was about sixty miles, quite a trek for three days. He looked until he became frustrated and decided to go home before his dad started worrying.

1 Samuel 9:6-10

The servant accompanying Saul knew of a man of God and suggested they ask him what direction to go. It's somewhat fascinating that these servants suggested going to the man of God. It wasn't because they were God-fearing men but because they knew of this man, Samuel. They knew that whatever Samuel said happened, so maybe he could tell them which way to go.

We can see that Saul did not know of Samuel, though he lived a short distance from Samuel’s home and was well within the circuit he judged. The servant didn’t know his name, only that he was a man of God. He knows him by rumor and reputation only. Saul didn’t seem to know of Samuel at all. The servant is presented as the one having wise instincts.

Saul didn’t see how it was possible to see the man of God without taking a gift. Though he didn’t know Samuel, he was aware of a custom to present something to the man of God as his provision. Again, we see the servant is wise and prepared. A quarter shekel was equal to a week or so of wages. This would be an appropriate gift for help finding valuable donkeys.

1 Samuel 9:11-14

In that day, it was typically part of a woman’s day to go to the well to draw water. Yet, this motif also connects to the stories of the patriarchs. The town was probably Ramah, Samuel’s hometown. Shilo had been destroyed, and the Ark was either in exile or at Kirjath Jearim at Abiniadab’s home. Samuel had set up a place of worship. This was probably a building that functioned as a temple.

The women indicate that Samuel had just returned to town and was preparing a sacrifice. He would offer a blessing before the meal. We should note that women now lead the unwise and incompetent shepherd.

1 Samuel 9:15-21

God had told Samuel that a man who would be their king was coming. This information was put in his ear. This doesn't mean Samuel audibly heard the Lord, but the Lord made him hear.

Samuel didn’t know Saul, but the Lord pointed him out. Saul approached Samuel and asked about the prophet, showing that he didn’t know Samuel and displaying his spiritual ignorance. Saul may have thought it a coincidence that he ran right into the man he was looking for, but we know this is a divine appointment.

Before Saul could ask about the donkeys, the answer was given. He was invited to dinner at the high place, and Samuel promised to tell him all he wanted to know. In addition, Samuel hinted that Saul was the desire of Israel.

Saul's answer was humble. He was from Gibeah, where the men had committed one of the most heinous acts imaginable (Judges 19:22-26; 20:35, 48). The tribe of Benjamin had been nearly wiped out. It was the least in size and esteem.

1 Samuel 9:22-26

There was Saul, a poor farm boy looking for his donkeys and suddenly the guest of honor at this high place. He was seated in the place of honor, and then the thigh, customarily reserved for the officiating priest, was presented to Saul.

Samuel invited Saul to his house to the roof – the coolest part of the house to sleep. They got up at dawn and Samuel woke Saul to send him on his way.

1 Samuel 9:27-

Samuel had Saul send his servant ahead so he would have a word alone. The prophet was going to speak the word of God into Saul's life. How amazing this must have been. Instead of hunting donkeys, he was going to hear from the Lord.

Saul’s head must have been spinning. The journey to retrieve donkeys had turned into so much more. A prophet was going to speak God’s word to him. The mundane circumstances of the beginning of that week turned into a sacred and divine encounter.

Are you ready? Do you anticipate hearing from the Lord? You don't need to read deep spiritual meaning into the mundane, but we shouldn't ignore that God can use the mundane and speak into our lives.

Most of us won't hear words that shake the land or move the earth. Instead, we will hear Him speak from His word, through other people, through circumstances in countless ways, all in little ways to move our lives and relationships and use us in His kingdom.

Big Idea

Our lives are not molded by a series of great events but by the seemingly mundane nonevents of everyday life. The pattern of our lives is established by a million small decisions made in obedience, service, and humility before the Lord.

While we know our destination, our journey is all-important. We have a present call to duty and service. Do you know that call? Are you faithful to serve? Today, we don’t live and look for that great moment of exaltation, but we exalt God in the small moves of faithfulness among the mundane.

1 Samuel