Saul Chosen to be King I Samuel 9

I Samuel 9:1-2 "Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a might man of power. And he had a son, whose name was Saul a choice young man, and a goodly and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he; from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people."

We need to take a look at Saul the man. He was a big fellow. No doubt, that was a great advantage in battle. He was also of the tribe of Benjamin, the tribe that was almost wiped out when Israel came up against them after they tried to protect a city that had gone against God. See Judges chapter 19-20.

Saul also had a pedigree. He could trace his heritage through many generations. On his mothers side, he may have been one of the wives given to the Benjamites after the great battle in Judges or his mother may have been one of those captured as they danced. Judges 21:20

V3 "And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses."

The Lord is leading Saul to Samuel to be anointed king. Saul, of course, does not know this plan. He only seeks the donkeys for his father. I think there is a lesson here. Often, it is unlikely things that take us where we need to be. Saul looked for donkeys until he found the man of God, Samuel. It is also true that many times the answer is near but not always. Saul left the land of Benjamin in his search.

v10 "Then said Saul to his servant, Well said: come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was."

They were far from home. They were concerned about their family v7. They were without bread. v7 Saul listened to advice, in this case, his servant who happened to have a few cents to give to the seer (prophet).

So they came to Samuel who was expecting them. v15 Samuel met them at the gate. v14 He invited them to eat. v19 v23 He consoled them concerning the donkeys they sought. v20 Samuel gave them rest. v25-26

v26 "And they arose early; and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. v27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God."

The rest of the story will be in the next chapter. It is good to note that Samuel showed Saul the word of God before he anointed him. I also like the servant: He stuck close to Saul. He carried a little extra (the money) and he gave good advice. He was a trusted servant.

Psalm 123:2 "Behold as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us."

keywords: Bible study, Old Testament, Samuel, Saul, Israel, servant, Milton Southerland