The Search For a King
October 3, 2019
Commentary
Several characteristics we learn about Saul from this passage.
1. Saul was from a leading family (v. 1). “There was man of Benjamin whose name was Kish … a Benjamite, mighty man of power.” Saul was from the house of Benjamin, the smallest tribe of Israel, an unlikely source for future kings.
2. Saul was physically strong and attractive (v.2). “And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.”
3. He was obedient in the Small Things. (vv. 3-4) “Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, “Please, take one of the servants with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.”
4. He was sensitive enough to be concerned for others (v. 5). “…. Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us return, lest my father cease caring about the donkeys and become worried about us.” He was aware that if he was gone too long his father would worry.
5. He was secure enough to listen to advice (v. 6). “And he said to him, “Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go.”
6. He was concerned about giving something to the man of God (vv. 7-8). …"there is nothing to bring to the man of God.” The servant replies, “I have a shekel of silver that I will give to him.”
Saul was looking for the person who would give visions to the prophets (vv. 9-10). He and his servant went to the town where the prophet lived (v. 11). As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to get water, and they said to them, “We’re looking for the man who can see visions. Is he in town (v. 12)?” “Yes, he is,” they replied. “He’s in town today because there’s going to be a sacrifice and a sacred meal at the place of worship. In fact, he’s just ahead of you. Hurry and you should find him right inside the town gate (v. 13). He’s on his way out to the place of worship to eat with the invited guests. They can’t start eating until he blesses the sacrifice. If you go now, you should find him.” As they went to the town, and just as they were going through the gate, Samuel was coming out (v. 14).
Application
I need to recognize that even the little things that happen in my life have a purpose and I need to be ready to learn the lesson that God wants to teach me.
1 Samuel 9:1– 14 (NET)
1 There was a Benjaminite man named Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. Kish was a prominent person. 2 He had a son named Saul, a handsome young man. There was no one among the Israelites more handsome than he was; he stood head and shoulders above all the people.
3 The donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off, so Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go look for the donkeys.” 4 So Saul crossed through the hill country of Ephraim, passing through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. So they crossed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he crossed through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them.
5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come on, let’s head back before my father quits worrying about the donkeys and becomes anxious about us!” 6 But the servant said to him, “Look, there is a man of God in this town. He is highly respected. Everything that he says really happens. Now let’s go there. Perhaps he will tell us where we should go from here.” 7 So Saul said to his servant, “All right, we can go. But what can we bring the man, since the food in our bags is used up? We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” 8 The servant went on to answer Saul, “Look, I happen to have in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God and he will tell us where we should go.” 9 (Now it used to be in Israel that whenever someone went to inquire of God he would say, “Come on, let’s go to the seer.” For today’s prophet used to be called a seer.) 10 So Saul said to his servant, “That’s a good idea! Come on. Let’s go.” So they went to the town where the man of God was.
11 As they were going up the ascent to the town, they met some girls coming out to draw water. They said to them, “Is this where the seer is?” 12 They replied, “Yes, straight ahead! But hurry now, for he came to the town today, and the people are making a sacrifice at the high place. 13 When you enter the town, you can find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people won’t eat until he arrives, for he must bless the sacrifice. Once that happens, those who have been invited will eat. Now go on up, for this is the time when you can find him.”
14 So they went up to the town. As they were heading for the middle of the town, Samuel was coming in their direction to go up to the high place.