The big picture
Israel, the nation led by the prophet Samuel, has demanded a king. God has allowed that request after warning what royal rule will cost. Saul, a tall young man from the tribe of Benjamin, knows nothing of the role ahead. His father Kish sends him to find missing donkeys. A servant's suggestion brings them toward Samuel, who has already received word from God about the man he is to meet.
In this chapter
- Lost Donkeys Lead to a New Plan 1 Samuel 9:1-10
Kish, a man of standing, sends his son Saul and a servant to look for missing donkeys.
- God Identifies the Coming Ruler 1 Samuel 9:11-17
Young women carrying water direct Saul and his servant toward Samuel.
- Saul Receives Unexpected Honour 1 Samuel 9:18-24
Saul asks Samuel where the seer lives.
- Samuel Stops Saul for God's Message 1 Samuel 9:25-27
After the meal, Samuel speaks with Saul on the roof of the house, an open space used for daily life.
Central truth
Saul sets out to recover his father's donkeys, while God directs events toward his appointment as Israel's ruler.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Samuel · King James Version · 271 Samuel 9:1-10
Lost Donkeys Lead to a New Plan
Kish, a man of standing, sends his son Saul and a servant to look for missing donkeys. They search several districts without finding them. Saul wants to return before his father starts worrying about them instead. The servant suggests asking a respected man of God in the nearby town. Saul worries that they have no gift to bring, but the servant has a small piece of silver. They agree to go. The search for livestock now becomes a visit to a prophet.
In everyday life
A delivery driver's son walks another lane looking for the family's escaped dog. His companion suggests asking the keeper at the nearby animal shelter. The son wants to go home before his father worries, but they decide on one last stop. That small choice changes whom they meet. Saul's meeting has already been arranged by God.
Notice
1 Samuel 9:6 The servant proposes consulting the man of God. A supporting figure supplies the idea that carries Saul toward an appointment he does not expect.
1 Samuel 9:1-10
King James Version1Now 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.
2And 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.
3And 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.
4And 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.
5And 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.
6And 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.
7Then 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?
8And 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.
9(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.)
10Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.
1 Samuel 9:11-17
God Identifies the Coming Ruler
Young women carrying water direct Saul and his servant toward Samuel. He has arrived for a sacrifice and its shared meal, which the guests will not begin until he blesses it. As the two men enter town, Samuel comes toward them. God had told Samuel the previous day that a man from Benjamin would arrive. Samuel must anoint him, pouring oil on him to mark his appointment as ruler. God now identifies Saul as the man who will help rescue Israel from the Philistines.
In everyday life
The vocational tutor waits by a training centre door for an applicant whose arrival the director announced yesterday. The young man asks where to find the tutor, unaware that his name is already on the day's interview sheet. An ordinary arrival carries prior purpose. God identifies Saul for national leadership, beyond a planned job interview.
Notice
1 Samuel 9:16 God says he has heard his people's cry. Even within their flawed request for a king, his concern for their suffering remains present.
1 Samuel 9:11-17
King James Version11And 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?
12And 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:
13As 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.
14And 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.
15Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
16To 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.
17And 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.
1 Samuel 9:18-24
Saul Receives Unexpected Honour
Saul asks Samuel where the seer lives. Samuel identifies himself, invites him to the meal, and tells him the donkeys have been found. Then he speaks of Israel's hopes resting on Saul and his family. Saul protests that his tribe is small and his family has little standing. Samuel seats him and his servant in the place of honour among about thirty guests. The cook brings Saul a portion reserved in advance. The visitor receives treatment prepared before he knew to expect it.
In everyday life
An unknown apprentice enters a guild dining room expecting to ask about a lost toolbox. The organiser leads him to the head table and brings a meal set aside for him. He looks around at older workers, unsure why he has been honoured. Saul's welcome points toward kingship, not recognition of a trade skill.
Notice
1 Samuel 9:24 The cook has already reserved Saul's portion. This detail lets Saul see that the honour is planned, even before Samuel explains his appointment fully.
1 Samuel 9:18-24
King James Version18Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.
19And 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.
20And 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?
21And 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?
22And 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.
23And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
24And 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.
1 Samuel 9:25-27
Samuel Stops Saul for God's Message
After the meal, Samuel speaks with Saul on the roof of the house, an open space used for daily life. At daybreak they rise and walk out together. Near the edge of town, Samuel tells Saul to send his servant ahead. Saul must remain for a while so that Samuel can give him God's message. The public meal gives way to a private conversation. The missing donkeys are no longer the main issue, though that search brought Saul to this point.
In everyday life
One retiring mechanic walks a young colleague out through the workshop gate after the others leave. He asks the colleague's helper to take the van ahead. Then he stops beside the shutter, ready to explain a responsibility that has not yet been announced. Samuel's private message carries God's choice, not a business succession plan.
Notice
1 Samuel 9:27 Samuel sends the servant ahead before speaking. The separation creates a private moment for God's message before Saul's role becomes publicly known.
1 Samuel 9:25-27
King James Version25And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.
26And 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.
27And 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Samuel 9:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
1 Samuel 9:13 forms a natural hinge: “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…”
The final note
1 Samuel 9:27 leaves the reader with “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…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Saul, Samuel, city, people, place, servant help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- seer
- An older title for a prophet, a person who receives God's message.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
