The children of Israel have just asked Samuel to find them a king. They didn't realize that God had been their king and they were rejecting Him. Samuel tried to tell them what would happen if they crowned a human as their king, but they didn't care. They wanted to be like everyone else.
So, God was going to show Samuel who it was that the people would accept as their first king.
I Samuel 9:1-2- 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. 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 was from the smallest tribe in Israel- the tribe of Benjamin, but Saul was also the tallest man in all Israel. God was going to bring this young man, Saul, into Samuel's path so that he could be crowned king.
I Samuel 9:3-6- 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. 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. 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. 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 shew us our way that we should go.
God made Saul's family's donkeys run away. Saul and a servant was sent out to find them. They searched in a few places, and then Saul wanted to go back home. But, the servant knew that Samuel was close by and he suggested going to ask Samuel where the donkeys were.
Back then, you didn't just show up and ask questions. There was certain protocol that you followed when you wanted something from a prophet. You brought him a gift. And he wasn't called a prophet back then, he was called something else.
I Samuel 9:7-10- 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? 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. (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire 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.) Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.
Samuel was known as the Seer. The servant said that he had a silver shekel that they could give to the Seer. So, Saul and his servant went to the city where Samuel was.
But, God was also talking to Samuel.
I Samuel 9:15-16- Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, 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.
As Saul was coming close to the city, God was moving to make sure that both he and Samuel came together. First, God was going to send some girls to tell Saul where to go.
I Samuel 9:11-14- 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? 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: 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. 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.
Next, God was going to tell Samuel that Saul was the young man about to approach him.
I Samuel 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.
Now, everyone was right where God had wanted them. And God was going to change one man's life forever.
I Samuel 9:18-20- Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is. 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. 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 told Saul that the donkeys were back home. He also told Saul that God had big plans for him.
Saul was a young man. At this point in his life he was humble and he didn't think that he was anyone the Lord could use.
I Samuel 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 didn't understand that God likes to use the humble people who don't think they can do anything. When God uses those people He gets the glory.
I Samuel 9:22-25- 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. And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee. 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. And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.
Saul ate with Samuel that evening. And then, Saul and Samuel got to talk about all the stuff that was in Saul's heart. Anything Saul wanted to ask the Seer he could.
I Samuel 9:26-27- 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. 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 shew thee the word of God.
In the morning, before Saul and his servant were about to leave. Samuel was going to tell Saul exactly what it was that the Lord wanted from his life.
I Samuel 10:1- Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
Samuel told Saul that he was chosen to be the king of Israel. He then told him what would happen on his way home. As soon as all the things that Samuel said would happen came to pass, Saul would know that Samuel was telling the truth.
I Samuel 10:6-9- And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do. And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
What an amazing thing! God gave Saul another heart. Do you know what that means? God made him into the man that He wanted to lead His people.
When we get saved God makes us into a new person, too. He gives us another heart. We are no longer children of this dark world; we are now children of the creator of the universe, the bringer of the flood, the God who sent the plagues on Egypt, the One who delivered Israel from all her enemies- He is now our Father!
This new Saul now had a chance to be a great influence to everyone in the land of Israel!
I Samuel 9:14-16- And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel. And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you. And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.
When Saul's uncle asked him about his trip, he didn't tell him that he had been annointed to be king. Perhaps he was embarrassed. Maybe he didn't think he was worthy of such an honor. Or, there could be a chance that he thought Samuel had made a mistake. We really don't know the reason.
When God saves you and makes you a new person, you should not be embarrassed to tell others. It's our job to let others know what God has done for us!
Saul was going to have to learn this.
