Birth of a King - Pt 2
1 Samuel 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.
1 Samuel 9:2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: [or good looking] and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier [better-looking] person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
Saul was a young man who came from a prominent family of the tribe of Benjamin. The Bible says that he was both good looking and tall, in fact, a head taller than anyone else.
Search for the Donkeys
1 Samuel 9:3 And the [donkeys] 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 [look for] the [donkeys].
1 Samuel 9:5 And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, [look, let’s go back;] lest my father [quit] caring for the [donkeys], and [start worrying about] us.
The Seer
1 Samuel 9:6 And he [the servant] said unto him, Behold now, [look] 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’s go there;] [maybe] he can shew us [the] way that we should go. Verse 10.
1 Samuel 9:10 Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; [sounds good to me, let’s go]. So they went [to] the city where the man of God was. Verse 14.
Saul meets Samuel
1 Samuel 9:14 And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out [to meet] them, [oddly enough] [on his way] up to the high place.
1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
1 Samuel 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 [or king] 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 LORD had spoken this to Samuel in his ear the previous day. Notice. Samuel did not go out looking for a man to anoint as king. The Lord brought the man to him, by way of a few missing donkeys.
Samuel merely did whatever the LORD wanted. He did only what he saw the LORD do, you might say. Could that have been a key to his success? Absolutely. Would that be good for us to do as well? Yes.
1 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.
The LORD is talking to Samuel as he goes through his day. The Bible says that the sons of God are supposed to be led by the Spirit of God. That’s what Samuel was doing. And did Samuel ever miss it? No. It says that none of his words ever fell to the ground. And when we’re led by the Spirit, we won’t go wrong, either. We’ll get it right every time.
1 Samuel 9:18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.
Samuel gives Saul Information
1 Samuel 9:19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I AM the seer: [and do this for me, if you would, please] 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 Samuel 9:20 And [oh, by the way] as for [the donkeys] 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?
Is Samuel a prophet, or what? He tells Saul exactly what he came to find out. And, for some strange reason, he wants Saul to come and eat with him and stay overnight.
And so, they go on up to the high place where the sacrifice is going to be held. Vs 22.
Saul eats with Samuel
1 Samuel 9:22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour [the dining hall], and made them sit in the chiefest place [the most honorable place] among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.
Now, who were these thirty people? They would certainly have been thirty high-ranking leaders and elders of Israel, whom Samuel had invited to the meal, a meal that he planned out before he even met Saul.
1 Samuel 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.
Samuel has already set aside Saul’s portion of meat.
1 Samuel 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.
A scriptural parallel
Is this one a scriptural parallel? Remember the story of Joseph, when he was the leader of Egypt and his brothers came during the famine looking for grain, and he invited them to his house for a meal at noontime? [They were not expecting that.]
Of course, they didn’t know he was Joseph, their brother. And it says that the food he set before Benjamin was five times greater than any of the other brothers, indicating that somehow Benjamin was a very important and special person.
Saul, the guest of honor
What’s this meal with Samuel all about? The same thing. It’s about optics. These elders have asked Samuel to make them a king.
So, Samuel, by the LORD’s leading, set up a banquet for them. And he brings in this good-looking young man, taller than anybody in the room. And he sets him and his servant in the most honorable seats.
Saul is probably thinking about now, why did I listen to that servant of mine? What a mistake! I just wanted to go home. What am I doing here? Why am I the guest of honor? God, get me out of here, please.
But the message Samuel is sending to these 30 statesmen is that this young man is a very important person. He’s a VIP. And so, they finished their meal. Vs 25.
1 Samuel 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.
They chatted for a while, at Samuel’s house, no less, and then retired for the evening, at Samuel’s house. They’re hanging out with the seer himself and they’re sleeping at his home.
And it says that Samuel came to Saul at about daybreak and said, get up, so that I can send you away. And so , Samuel walked with him down the street. Verse 27.
1 Samuel 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 [you] stand still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.
I’ve got a word from the LORD for you, Saul. Send your servant ahead.
1 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?
Saul, here’s the word I have for you from the LORD. The LORD says He has anointed you to be king over Israel.