1 Samuel 9:3

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the asses {H860} of Kish {H7027} Saul's {H7586} father {H1} were lost {H6}. And Kish {H7027} said {H559} to Saul {H7586} his son {H1121}, Take {H3947} now one {H259} of the servants {H5288} with thee, and arise {H6965}, go {H3212} seek {H1245} the asses {H860}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Once the donkeys belonging to Kish Sha'ul's father got lost. Kish said to his son Sha'ul, "Please take one of the servants with you, go out, and look for the donkeys."

Berean Standard Bible

One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants and go look for the donkeys.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 9:3 serves as the deceptively ordinary genesis of Saul's journey towards becoming Israel's inaugural king. This verse details Kish, Saul's father, dispatching his son to retrieve their lost donkeys—a seemingly mundane, yet economically significant, household task in ancient Israel. This common errand, however, is divinely orchestrated, acting as the precise catalyst that propels Saul away from his familiar surroundings and into an unexpected, destiny-altering encounter with the prophet Samuel, thereby initiating the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan for the nation. It powerfully illustrates how the Almighty often employs everyday circumstances and faithful obedience to simple duties as the very means to bring about extraordinary divine appointments.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the initial introduction of Saul in [1 Samuel 9:1-2](/1_samuel/9-1-2 "1 Samuel 9:1-2 - Introduction of Saul"), where he is presented as a man of impressive physical stature and noble lineage. The narrative swiftly transitions from his physical description to a domestic crisis: the disappearance of his father's valuable donkeys. This seemingly trivial event is the narrative engine that propels Saul out of his familial sphere and into the path of Samuel, the prophet, thus initiating the process of his anointing as king. The text carefully establishes Saul's character not as a pre-ordained warrior or a man of ambition, but as a dutiful son engaged in an ordinary task, thereby emphasizing the divine providence behind his eventual elevation. The contrast between the mundane search and the momentous discovery underscores God's unexpected ways.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, donkeys were far more than mere animals; they were indispensable economic assets. They served as the primary means of transportation for people and goods, were crucial for agricultural labor such as plowing, and symbolized a family's wealth and status. The loss of these animals would have represented a significant financial blow to a household like Kish's, necessitating an immediate and thorough search. Kish's directive for Saul to "take now one of the servants with thee" reflects the practical realities of travel and security in that era; journeys were often long, arduous, and potentially dangerous, making a companion essential for assistance, protection, and witness. This command also highlights the patriarchal structure of the society and the expected filial obedience, portraying Saul as a responsible son.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces and reinforces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout the book of 1 Samuel and beyond. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Providence**, showcasing God's sovereign hand at work even in the most mundane and seemingly random events. The lost donkeys are not an accident but a divinely appointed means to bring Saul to Samuel, aligning perfectly with God's plan to give Israel a king, as explicitly stated in [1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - The Lord Grants a King"). Secondly, **Obedience and Responsibility** are highlighted through Saul's immediate compliance with his father's command. His faithfulness in a small, practical duty foreshadows the greater responsibility he will soon be given, echoing the biblical principle found in [Luke 16:10](/luke/16-10 "Luke 16:10 - Faithfulness in Little Things"). Lastly, the theme of **Humble Beginnings** is powerfully established. The future king of Israel is introduced not on a battlefield or in a palace, but diligently searching for lost livestock, a common man engaged in a common task. This mirrors God's consistent pattern of raising leaders from obscurity, as later seen with David, who was called from tending sheep in [1 Samuel 16:11](/1_samuel/16-11 "1 Samuel 16:11 - David Called from the Sheep").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **asses (Hebrew, _ʼâthôwn'_):** This term (H860) specifically refers to a female donkey, often valued for its docility and ability to bear offspring, making it a significant and valuable asset in an ancient Israelite household. The loss of these animals would have represented a considerable economic setback, underscoring the urgency and importance of the search commanded by Kish.
* **lost (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** Derived from the primitive root (H6) meaning "to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)," this word indicates a state of being truly missing or strayed, not merely misplaced. It implies a need for an active and diligent search, as the animals were not expected to return on their own. This "lostness" is the direct and divinely orchestrated catalyst for Saul's journey and subsequent encounter.
* **seek (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** This primitive root (H1245) means "to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for)." Here, it is a direct imperative, emphasizing the active, purposeful, and diligent nature of the task. Saul is not merely to look casually but to embark on a determined quest, which ultimately leads him far from home and into his destiny.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost."**: This opening clause immediately establishes the central problem that sets the entire narrative in motion. It introduces Kish, Saul's father, and highlights the economic significance of the lost donkeys. The passive voice "were lost" subtly suggests an event beyond immediate human control, hinting at a divine hand in orchestrating the circumstances that would lead to Saul's anointing.
* **"And Kish said to Saul his son,"**: This clause transitions from the problem to the paternal directive. It underscores the patriarchal authority of Kish and the filial relationship with Saul, setting the stage for Saul's obedient and immediate response. The direct address emphasizes the personal nature of the instruction, a common interaction within family units of the time.
* **"Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses."**: This is Kish's direct, imperative command to Saul. The instruction to take a servant highlights the practicalities and necessities of the journey – the need for assistance, companionship, and security for what could be an extended and arduous search. The series of imperative verbs – "Take," "arise," "go," "seek" – conveys urgency and the expectation of immediate action, propelling Saul out of his ordinary life and onto a path of divine appointment, unbeknownst to him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning and foreshadow future events. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the seemingly mundane task of searching for lost donkeys subtly hints at the much grander "finding" that awaits Saul: the kingdom of Israel. There is a strong element of **Divine Irony** or **Providence**, where a trivial domestic problem becomes the precise mechanism through which God's sovereign plan unfolds. The search for literal donkeys leads directly to the discovery of a spiritual kingdom and a royal destiny. Furthermore, the verse serves as an important instance of **Character Introduction**. Saul is presented not as a pre-ordained hero or a man of great ambition, but as a dutiful and obedient son engaged in a humble, everyday task. This portrayal emphasizes God's ability to elevate individuals from ordinary circumstances, highlighting that divine calling often begins in unexpected and unimpressive ways, far from the spotlight of human expectation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 9:3 profoundly illustrates the theological concept of divine providence, demonstrating that God's sovereign hand is actively at work not only in grand historical events but also in the seemingly insignificant details of everyday life. This verse teaches that God can use the most ordinary circumstances, even a lost animal, as a precise catalyst to bring about His extraordinary purposes. It underscores the importance of faithfulness and diligent obedience in our daily duties, no matter how mundane they may seem, as these very acts of diligence can position us for divine appointments and greater responsibilities we could never anticipate. God's ways are often hidden, unfolding through natural events and common tasks, requiring us to trust His unseen hand in all things, knowing that He orchestrates even the "lost" moments for His ultimate glory and our good.

* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")
* [Psalm 37:23](/psalms/37-23 "Psalm 37:23 - The Lord Establishes Our Steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly simple verse offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is intimately involved in the intricate fabric of our daily lives, orchestrating events and circumstances in ways we often cannot perceive or comprehend. We are encouraged to embrace our present responsibilities, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, with diligence, faithfulness, and a spirit of obedience, understanding that even the most ordinary tasks might be the very path God is using to lead us to His greater purpose. Saul's immediate and unquestioning obedience, even to a burdensome and inconvenient task, positioned him for a divine encounter that radically altered his life and the course of a nation. This narrative calls us to cultivate an attitude of availability and responsiveness to God's leading in all things, trusting that our faithfulness in the "small things" can open doors to unexpected divine appointments and opportunities for service that extend far beyond our current imagination. Our focus should be on obediently fulfilling the duties before us, rather than anxiously seeking grand callings, for God often reveals His grand design through our humble faithfulness in the mundane.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our perception of "important" tasks in God's plan, especially when compared to seemingly "mundane" or "trivial" duties?**
* **In what "ordinary" or "inconvenient" areas of your life might God be preparing you for something greater or leading you to a divine appointment that you haven't yet recognized?**
* **How can we cultivate a heart of immediate obedience and diligent faithfulness in our daily responsibilities, trusting God's unseen hand to work through them for His sovereign purposes and our ultimate good?**

### FAQ

**Why were lost donkeys so significant in ancient Israel?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, donkeys were far more than just animals; they were vital economic assets and indispensable for daily life. They served as the primary means of transportation for people and goods, were crucial for agricultural tasks like plowing and milling grain, and were a significant indicator of a family's wealth and social status. Losing donkeys represented a substantial financial blow to a household, equivalent to losing a valuable vehicle or a significant portion of one's income today. Therefore, Kish's command for Saul to "go seek the asses" was not a trivial errand but an urgent and economically critical task, demanding immediate and diligent attention from Saul and his servant. The narrative underscores the seriousness of the loss, which in turn highlights the extraordinary nature of the divine intervention that uses this mundane crisis as a catalyst for Saul's anointing, demonstrating God's meticulous [providence](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps") and His ability to work through ordinary circumstances.

**Does this story imply that God orchestrates every single detail of our lives, even trivial ones?**

Answer: This story strongly suggests God's comprehensive [providence](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good"), indicating His sovereign involvement even in the seemingly mundane circumstances of life. While it does not negate human responsibility or free will, it powerfully illustrates that God can and does use ordinary events, even those that appear random, inconvenient, or trivial from a human perspective, to achieve His ultimate and overarching purposes. The lost donkeys were not an accident from God's perspective; they were the precise means by which Saul was led to Samuel and his destiny as king. This narrative encourages believers to recognize God's hand in all of life's details, trusting that His overarching plan can incorporate and utilize every circumstance, large or small, to bring about His good and perfect will. It underscores that God is not limited to working only through dramatic or overtly spiritual events but is actively engaged in the fabric of our daily existence, weaving together seemingly disparate threads into His grand design.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Saul's call, initiated by a mundane task and leading to an unexpected encounter with divine purpose, beautifully foreshadows the broader pattern of God's redemptive work culminating in Christ. Just as Saul was called from obscurity and a humble task to be king, Jesus, the true and eternal King of Israel, came not with earthly fanfare or political power, but in the humblest of circumstances, born in a manger in Bethlehem ([Luke 2:7](/luke/2-7 "Luke 2:7 - Birth of Jesus")). He consistently chose and called ordinary individuals—fishermen, tax collectors, and common laborers—to be His disciples ([Matthew 4:18-22](/matthew/4-18-22 "Matthew 4:18-22 - Calling of the First Disciples")), demonstrating God's consistent choice of the seemingly unimpressive to accomplish His greatest works. Furthermore, the theme of "seeking the lost" finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Saul was dispatched to seek lost donkeys, Jesus explicitly declared His mission to "seek and to save the lost" humanity ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - Jesus Came to Seek the Lost")). He is the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one lost sheep ([Matthew 18:12-14](/matthew/18-12-14 "Matthew 18:12-14 - Parable of the Lost Sheep")), embodying God's relentless, compassionate pursuit of His creation. Thus, Saul's journey, initiated by a search for lost animals, points forward to the ultimate divine search and rescue mission accomplished through the obedient Son, Jesus Christ, who came to restore lost humanity to God's eternal kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 10:2

When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

Judges 5:10

Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.

Judges 10:4

And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which [are] in the land of Gilead.