Saul, a tall Benjamite, is sent by his father Kish to find lost asses. After an unsuccessful search, his servant suggests consulting a "man of God" in a nearby city. Unbeknownst to Saul, the prophet Samuel has been divinely informed that Saul is the man appointed to lead Israel. Samuel meets Saul, assures him the asses are found, and honors him, preparing to reveal God's word.
There was a man from Binyamin named Kish the son of Avi'el, the son of Tz'ror, the son of B'khorat, the son of Afiach, the son of a man from Binyamin. He was a man of substance and brave as well.
He had a son named Sha'ul who was young and good-looking; among the people of Isra'el there was no one better-looking than he; he stood head and shoulders taller than anyone else in Isra'el.
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."
He went through the hills of Efrayim and the territory of Shalishah, but they didn't find them. Then they went through the territory of Sha'alim, but they weren't there. They went through the territory of Binyamin but didn't find them there either.
On reaching the territory of Tzuf, Sha'ul said to his servant with him, "Come, let's go back; otherwise my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us."
His servant replied, "Here now, there's a man of God in this city, a man who is highly respected, and everything he says proves true. Let's go to him; maybe he can tell us something about where we should go."
"But look," Sha'ul said to his servant, "if we go to the man, what can we bring him? We've used up all the bread in our packs, and there's nothing for us to give the man of God - what do we have left?"
The servant replied again to Sha'ul: "See, I have here in my hand a silver quarter-shekel [one-tenth of an ounce]. I will give it to the man of God to tell us which way to go."
(In Isra'el, back in the old days, when someone went to consult God, he would say, "Come, let's go to the seer"; because a person now called a prophet used to be called a seer.)
The girls answered them, "He's here, he's right ahead of you. Hurry now, he just came into the city today, because the people are sacrificing today at the high place.
Find him as soon as you enter the city, before he goes up to the high place to eat; because the people won't eat until he comes and blesses the sacrifice. Afterwards, the ones invited will eat. So go on up, because this is when you will find him."
"Tomorrow at about this time I will send you a man from the territory of Binyamin. You are to anoint him prince over my people Isra'el. He will save my people from the power of the P'lishtim, because I have seen my people's situation, and their cry of distress has come to me."
Sh'mu'el answered Sha'ul, "I'm the seer. Go up ahead of me to the high place, because you are going to dine with me today. In the morning, I will let you leave; and I will tell you everything that is on your heart.
As for your donkeys that got lost three days ago, don't worry about them; they've been found. Now, who is it that all Isra'el wants? Isn't it you, and all your father's household?"
Sha'ul replied, "I'm only a man from Binyamin, the smallest tribe in Isra'el; and my family is the least important of all the families in the tribe of Binyamin! Why are you saying such a thing to me?"
Sh'mu'el took Sha'ul and his servant, brought them into the room and had them sit in the place reserved for the most important of the invited guests, who numbered about thirty persons.
The cook took the thigh and the adjoining meat and served it to Sha'ul. Sh'mu'el said, "Here, this is what remains! Put it in front of you and eat - it was kept especially for you until the right time; because I said, 'I have invited the people.'" So Sha'ul dined with Sh'mu'el that day.
They got up early. About daybreak, Sh'mu'el called out to Sha'ul on the roof, "Get up, so I can send you on your way." Sha'ul got up, and both of them -he and Sh'mu'el - went out.
As they were going down, at the edge of the city, Sh'mu'el said to Sha'ul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead"; so the servant went on. "But you, stand still now, because I want you to hear what God has said."
Study Notes for 1 Samuel 9
Verse 1
Kish is described as a 'mighty man of power,' indicating Saul came from a family of wealth and status within the tribe of Benjamin.
Verse 2
Saul's impressive height and good looks are emphasized. This fulfills the people's desire for a king who would physically stand out, contrasting later with God's selection criteria (1 Sam 16:7).
Verse 3
The entire subsequent narrative hinges on this mundane event. This illustrates the principle of divine providence, where God uses ordinary circumstances to orchestrate monumental historical changes.
Verse 6
The servant suggests seeking a 'man of God' (a prophet) for practical information. This shows that prophets were consulted for everyday matters, demonstrating their role as divinely connected sources of wisdom.
Verse 8
The 'fourth part of a shekel' (about a quarter of an ounce of silver) was a small, typical fee for consulting a prophet for advice or a minor oracle.
Verse 9
This parenthetical note explains the shift in terminology. The older term 'seer' (*ro'eh*), emphasizing divine sight, was gradually replaced by 'prophet' (*navi*), emphasizing divine speech.
Verse 12
The 'high place' was a local sanctuary used for sacrifices and communal meals, permissible before worship was centralized in Jerusalem (Deut 12:13-14). Samuel was presiding over this religious function.
Verse 15
This verse is pivotal, revealing that the entire encounter was orchestrated by God. Saul's search for lost animals was divinely directed toward his destiny.
Verse 16
The term 'captain' (*nagid*) signifies a divinely appointed leader or prince, often with military implications, rather than the dynastic term 'king' (*melek*). Saul is chosen specifically to deliver Israel from the Philistines.
Verse 18
Saul approaches Samuel unaware of his identity or purpose, asking for directions to the seer's house, setting up Samuel’s dramatic revelation.
Verse 20
Samuel immediately provides the information Saul sought (the asses are found) and then delivers a cryptic prophetic message, redirecting Saul's attention from his personal loss to the destiny of Israel.
Verse 21
Saul responds with genuine humility or disbelief, referencing the small size of his tribe (Benjamin, which was nearly destroyed in Judges 20-21) and the low status of his family.
Verse 24
The shoulder was typically the portion of honor reserved for the most distinguished guest or the priest. By setting it aside for Saul, Samuel publicly designates him as the guest of honor, foreshadowing his kingship.
Verse 25
Communing 'upon the top of the house' provided privacy, allowing Samuel to impart the crucial divine message and prepare Saul for the anointing away from the public eye.
Verse 27
This command sets the stage for the secret anointing (10:1). Samuel separates Saul from his servant to 'shew thee the word of God,' emphasizing that the kingship is a divine commission, not a political maneuver.
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The Calling of Disciples
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