1 Samuel 9

1 Samuel 9:1

9:1-14 Now Saul, the son of Kish (a Benjamite), enters the picture. While searching for his father’s donkeys, he and his servant decided to inquire as to the animals’ whereabouts from a man of God in a nearby city. With a small gift in hand, they approached the city and found out from some young women that the seer they were looking for would make an appearance that very day at a religious festival. As they hurried along, they met the man they sought. Little did Saul realize that the prophet was also looking for him! 9:15-21 On the preceding day the LORD had promised to direct Samuel to the man who was to be king. Now it was revealed to him that Saul was the man. But the prophet did not tell Saul immediately. First he invited him to a feast. The high place (i.e., a place set apart for worship) was usually connected with the worship of idols, but in this case it was for the worship of Jehovah. Samuel then told the tall, handsome Benjamite that he would have some important news for him in the morning.

Apparently without being told of Saul’s mission, Samuel told him that the donkeys had been found, and that he was not to be anxious. What were a few donkeys, anyway? He was soon to possess “all that is desirable in Israel.” Saul took this statement with apparent modesty. Benjamin was certainly the smallest . . . tribe in Israel. In the past their numbers had been reduced to 600 because of their wickedness (Judg. 20). 9:22-27 At the banquet Saul was given the place of honor and was served the choicest cut of meat. In the evening Samuel had a long talk with him. The next day Samuel detained Saul as he was leaving the city and revealed the word of God to him.