Saul Chosen as King
1 Sam 9:1 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 mighty man of power.
Kish, was not a wealthy man, nor a man of influence, though some disagree, but a man of physical strength and courage. The family was of the tribe of Benjamin.
1 Sam 9:2 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.
Saul's father was mighty in frame. He himself was favored, being taller and more handsome than any of his people. For those seeking a king by appearance, Saul was the man. Israel wanted a king that they could admire as he rode into battle, Saul fit that description. You can see God giving the people exactly what they wanted, but do we want what we want? Or do we want what God wants? God sometimes gives us what we want, and we suffer for our bad choice. Saul was good-looking, this with wealth, go together to elect presidents today, in our country. The name "Saul" means "asked of God." They asked for a king like the other countries, they didn't ask for a king who followed God. When we ask of God we should never demand our will, but God's will be done.
1 Sam 9:3 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 beginning of the Kings of Israel, starts in a peculiar way. Saul looks for his father's lost donkeys. The ordinary events of life sometimes are used by our God to bring about extraordinary happenings.
1 Sam 9:4 And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.
Saul could not find the donkeys, yet the donkeys were following God's direction. This is similar to the two cows who pulled the ark into Israel, they were led by God. “It is important for us to learn that the smallest trifles are as much arranged by the God of providence as the most startling events. He who counts the stars has also numbered the hairs of our heads.” (Spurgeon)
1 Sam 9:5 And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
1 Sam 9:6 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can show us our way that we should go.
The servant of Saul advises Saul to seek the prophet in the city in the land of Zuph. Perhaps he will send us to where the donkeys are. Samuel had a good reputation: "a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass." It would be good to be known as an honorable person of God, a person that can be trusted to hear from God. This is our goal, to be like Jesus and to be used of God.
1 Sam 9:7 Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?
1 Sam 9:8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.
1 Sam 9:9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)
The modern day psychics, like many of the ancient ones were in it for money. This "seer" was God's prophet, he was not interested in payment. The word "Seer" was given to those who could see things in the future. Still it was the custom to bring an offering to a seer. Prophets were seers, they saw the future as God revealed it to them. Moses was a prophet, yet Samuel was called the first of the prophets that would come who revealed what they heard from God. Remember in Chapter 3, that there was no new hearing or vision from God.
1 Sam 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
1 Sam 9:10 Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.
1 Sam 9:11 And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?
1 Sam 9:12 And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:
Samuel sacrificed peace offerings to the Lord at Ramah, where Samuel had built an altar. The people feasted at this time.
1 Sam 7:17 And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.
1 Sam 9:13 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.
It was the right time to meet Samuel, he had just returned to the city. God knows how to arrange meetings, they are not by chance. Many online were saved by appointments with God as a servant was waiting to share the gospel message with them.
1 Sam 9:14 And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
1 Sam 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
Samuel heard from God, as one receive a whisper in the ear, meant for them to here alone. Saul had no connection with God, though chosen, he was wandering around looking for his donkeys. Saul was want to find donkeys, Samuel was about to choose a king. Saul would find more then he had ever dreamed.
1 Sam 9:16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
The time was given, tomorrow about this time. One way to know if a prophet is of God is to pay attention to times that they speak of something happening. If nothing happens, they are false prophets. Samuel was to expect a man out of the land of Benjamin. He was to be anointed as captain or king, of God's people, to save his people out of the hands of the Philistines. He was the first king to be anointed with oil as King. God was to use Saul as the leader to defeat the Philistines, for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me. They feared the Philistines who were building garrisons at their borders. They wanted a strong king to battle against them. By now Samuel was aged, and his sons were corrupted by money. God gave them want they asked for. We must be careful what we ask for. Always, our trust is in the Lord.
This sounds like when God spoke to Moses.
Exo 3:9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
Exo 3:10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
1 Sam 9:17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
The Holy Spirit revealed who God had chosen for his people. The Holy Spirit did the seem with John the Baptist, revealing the savior Jesus. God reveals his will through his Spirit.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
1 Sam 9:18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.
1 Sam 9:19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.
1 Sam 9:20 And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house?
Samuel puts Saul to ease about the lost donkeys and then speaks something totally too marvelous to hear. Israel had chosen Saul and his family. God gave Israel the king they desired, a man of men, a movie star in looks. His whole family would be elevated. Later, his uncles son, Abner would be a general in his army.
1 Sam 9:21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
Saul spoke with humility. He said his family was nothing special, the least of the families in wealth and prominence. He lived in the land of the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe, his family had the least inheritance, the smallest of wealth and authority, though his father was mighty in stature.
1 Sam 9:22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.
Saul was honored with the seat of honor. Each seat was placed according to the authority of those attending, Saul was given the chief seat. He looked the part, and usually people know when they are good looking and take pride in this.
I spoke to two self proclaimed goddesses in Internet chat, they said the mirror declared that they were goddesses. This seems to fill the need of a vain person's heart. God had chosen someone like Israel had wanted in their vain hearts.
1 Sam 9:23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
1 Sam 9:24 And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
If Saul was given the right shoulder, this was reserved for the priest. Possibly Samuel gave his priestly portion, though a Levite, he was as a priest in these unstable times.
Saul was honored with a "special" portion of the meal. Much as Joseph honored his younger brother Benjamin, as they sat for dinner before him. Bless this mess?
Gen 43:34 And he took and sent messes (food) unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
1 Sam 9:25 And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.
The roofs were flat, a place to be alone and converse.
1 Sam 9:26 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.
1 Sam 9:27 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 show thee the word of God.
Samuel was alone with Saul. He would speak to him the word of God: the prophetic message that he was chosen to be captain of his people. He was to be the king, a man that the people had cried for. Someone to admire, as the other kingdoms had kings, Saul was to be the first King from the men of Israel. Beginning in the flesh, the kingdom will be fulfilled in the Spirit. Jesus shall be the last, and eternal King.
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