1 Samuel9

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.

Introduction of Saul

1
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. ​
2
He had a son, whose name was Saul, an impressive young man; and there was not among the children of Israel a better person than he. From his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. ​

The Search for Kish's Asses

3
The donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, “Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go seek the donkeys.” ​
4
He passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them: then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they weren’t there: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them.
5
When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, and let us return, lest my father stop caring about the donkeys, and be anxious for us.”

Saul and His Servant Seek the Seer

6
He said to him, “See now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man who is held in honor. All that he says comes surely to pass. Now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go.” ​
7
Then Saul said 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 do we have?”
8
The servant answered Saul again, and said, “Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.” ​
9
(In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, “Come, and let us go to the seer”; for he who is now called a prophet was before called a Seer.) ​
10
Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said. Come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.
11
As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?”
12
They answered them, and said, “He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he has come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place. ​
13
As soon as you have come into the city, you shall immediately find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he come, because he blesses the sacrifice. Afterwards those who are invited eat. Now therefore go up; for at this time you shall find him.”
14
They went up to the city. As they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place.

The Lord Reveals Saul's Coming to Samuel

15
Now the LORD had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, ​
16
“Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he shall save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked on my people, because their cry has come to me.” ​
17
When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! this same shall have authority over my people.”

Saul Meets Samuel

18
Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.” ​
19
Samuel answered Saul, and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today. In the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart.
20
As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don’t set your mind on them; for they are found. For whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you, and for all your father’s house?” ​
21
Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me like this?” ​
22
Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons.
23
Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.’”
24
The cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Saul. Samuel said, “Behold, that which has been reserved! Set it before yourself and eat; because for the appointed time has it been kept for you, for I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. ​

Private Instruction and Departure

25
When they had come down from the high place into the city, he talked with Saul on the housetop. ​
26
They arose early: and about daybreak, Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, “Get up, that I may send you away.” Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
27
As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant pass on before us” (and he passed on), “but stand still first, that I may cause you to hear the word of God.” ​

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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