1 Samuel 9 reveals Saul chosen by God and anointed as Israel's king. Learn how divine sovereignty guided the selection of Israel's first monarch.
The ninth chapter of 1 Samuel introduces one of the most significant transitions in Israel's history. The nation had demanded a king to rule over them like the surrounding nations, and God had granted their request. The man chosen for this role was Saul, the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. His selection was not the result of political maneuvering or human ambition but was orchestrated by divine providence. The events that brought Saul to the prophet Samuel demonstrate God's sovereign control over human affairs.
The story of Saul's selection is a remarkable example of how God works through ordinary circumstances to accomplish His purposes. Saul was searching for his father's lost donkeys, a seemingly mundane task that led him to the prophet Samuel. Unbeknownst to Saul, God had already revealed to Samuel that this man was the chosen king. The divine appointment was confirmed through prophetic instruction, a private anointing, and public acclamation. Saul's physical stature, described as "a head taller than any of the others" (1 Samuel 9:2), made him an ideal candidate in the eyes of the people.
Saul chosen by God and anointed as Israel's king recorded in 1 Samuel 9 reveal that God sovereignly directs the course of history to fulfill His purposes. The selection of Saul was not a divine mistake but a response to the people's demand and an object lesson about the dangers of rejecting God's rule. This pattern of divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, reminding believers that God's purposes are accomplished even through human failures.
The Background of Saul's Selection
Israel's Demand for a King
The demand for a king arose from Israel's desire to be like other nations. The elders of Israel approached Samuel and said, "Make us a king to judge us like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). Despite Samuel's warning about the consequences of monarchy, the people persisted in their request.
God instructed Samuel to heed the people's voice, saying, "They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them" (1 Samuel 8:7). The demand for a king was a rejection of God's direct rule over His people. Yet God would use this human decision to accomplish His purposes.
The divine response demonstrates that God works through human choices, even when those choices are motivated by unbelief. The establishment of the monarchy would be part of God's plan for the nation, and He would raise up a king who would lead His people.
The Tribe of Benjamin
Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest of the tribes of Israel. This selection was significant because it removed any grounds for jealousy among the other tribes. A king from Benjamin would not threaten the status of the larger tribes.
The tribe of Benjamin had been nearly destroyed in the civil war recorded in Judges 20-21. The selection of a king from this diminished tribe demonstrated God's willingness to use the humble and the weak. Saul's own words reflected this humility: "Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?" (1 Samuel 9:21).
Benjamin was also known as a warlike tribe (Genesis 49:27), making it a fitting choice for a king who would lead the nation in battle. The selection of Saul from Benjamin was a combination of divine wisdom and practical consideration.
The Divine Orchestration of Events
The Search for the Lost Donkeys
The story begins with a mundane event: Kish's donkeys were lost, and he sent his son Saul to find them. The text states that "the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost" and Kish instructed Saul to "arise, go seek the asses" (1 Samuel 9:3). This simple task set in motion a chain of events that would lead to the throne.
Saul and his servant traveled through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalisha, the land of Shalim, and the land of Benjamin, but they could not find the donkeys. After an extensive search, they were near the land of Zuph, where the prophet Samuel lived.
The servant suggested they consult the man of God, saying, "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" (1 Samuel 9:6). The servant's advice was providentially guided, leading Saul to the very person God had chosen to anoint him as king.
God's Revelation to Samuel
One day before Saul arrived, God had revealed His plan to Samuel. The text states, "Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came" (1 Samuel 9:15). This divine communication was part of the prophet's intimate relationship with God.
The Lord said to Samuel, "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" (1 Samuel 9:16). The message was clear: Saul was chosen to deliver Israel from the Philistines.
The divine revelation demonstrates God's sovereignty over human affairs. While the people had demanded a king for their own reasons, God had a purpose for the monarchy. He would use Saul to deliver His people from their enemies.
The Meeting of Saul and Samuel
The Encounter at the Gate
When Saul arrived in the city, Samuel came out to meet him. The Lord said to Samuel, "Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people" (1 Samuel 9:17). The meeting was not a coincidence but a divinely orchestrated appointment.
Saul approached Samuel and asked, "Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is" (1 Samuel 9:18). Samuel responded, "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" (1 Samuel 9:19).
Samuel also assured Saul that the donkeys had been found and gave him a hint of his future: "And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to thee, and to all thy father's house?" (1 Samuel 9:20). The question was a veiled reference to Saul's destiny as king.
The Feast and the Private Conversation
Samuel invited Saul to the high place, where a feast had been prepared. The text states that Samuel brought Saul into the parlour and set him in the chiefest place among the guests (1 Samuel 9:22). The honor was a sign of Saul's future status.
After the meal, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house (1 Samuel 9:25). The private conversation likely included the revelation of Saul's destiny and instruction about the duties of a king. The intimacy of the setting allowed Samuel to prepare Saul for his calling.
The feast and the private conversation were a transition from Saul's past as a farmer to his future as king. The events confirmed that God was at work in Saul's life, preparing him for the role he would assume.
The Private Anointing
The Anointing with Oil
The following morning, Samuel anointed Saul privately. The text in 1 Samuel 10:1 records, "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?" The anointing was a symbolic act that signified divine appointment and empowerment.
The anointing with oil was a practice associated with consecration to God's service. The oil represented the Holy Spirit's empowerment, enabling the person to fulfill the role to which God had called them. The private nature of the anointing allowed Saul to prepare for his future without public pressure.
The anointing was also a direct confirmation of God's choice. Despite the people's demand for a king, God would make His selection known through the prophet. Saul was not chosen by the people but by God.
The Signs of Confirmation
Samuel gave Saul three signs to confirm his calling. These signs included encounters with men near Rachel's tomb, three men at the great tree of Tabor, and a group of prophets at Gibeah. Each sign would be fulfilled exactly as Samuel predicted.
The signs served multiple purposes. They confirmed to Saul that God was truly calling him. They also strengthened his faith for the challenges ahead. The fulfillment of the signs would demonstrate that God's hand was upon Saul.
One of the most significant signs was Saul's encounter with the prophets, where "the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man" (1 Samuel 10:6). This transformation would equip Saul for his new role as king.
The Lessons of 1 Samuel 9
The Sovereignty of God
The story of Saul's selection reveals the sovereignty of God. The events leading to Saul's anointing were not random but divinely orchestrated. God used a search for lost donkeys to bring Saul to Samuel, and He had already prepared Samuel to receive him.
The sovereignty of God is a source of comfort for believers. The psalmist wrote, "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased" (Psalm 115:3). God is in control of all events, and His purposes will be accomplished.
The New Testament also emphasizes God's sovereignty. The apostle Paul wrote, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). God works through every circumstance to fulfill His plan.
The Danger of Outward Appearances
Saul was chosen in part because of his outward appearance. He was described as "a choice young man, and a goodly" and was "higher than any of the people" (1 Samuel 9:2). His physical stature made him an ideal candidate in the eyes of the people.
However, the emphasis on outward appearance was also a warning. The people wanted a king who looked like a king, but God looks at the heart. Saul's later failures would demonstrate that outward appearance is not a reliable indicator of character.
The New Testament warns against judging by outward appearances. The apostle Paul wrote, "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Believers are called to look beyond appearances and to trust in God's evaluation.
The Importance of Divine Calling
Saul's selection was not based on human ambition but on divine calling. He was not seeking the throne but was chosen by God. His anointing was a confirmation that God had set him apart for a specific purpose.
Divine calling is essential for any service to God. The apostle Paul wrote, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). Believers are called to serve God according to His purpose.
The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of calling. The apostle Peter wrote, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Believers are called to declare God's praises.
Conclusion
1 Samuel chapter 9 records the selection of Saul as Israel's first king. The events were divinely orchestrated, from the search for the lost donkeys to the private anointing by Samuel. Saul was chosen not because of his own ambition but because of God's sovereign plan. His anointing confirmed his divine calling and set the stage for his public proclamation as king.
Saul chosen by God and anointed as Israel's king recorded in 1 Samuel 9 reveal that God sovereignly directs the course of history to fulfill His purposes. The selection of Saul was not a divine mistake but a response to the people's demand and an object lesson about the dangers of rejecting God's rule. This pattern of divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, reminding believers that God's purposes are accomplished even through human failures.
The story of Saul's selection encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and to recognize His hand in the events of their lives. The same God who orchestrated the meeting of Saul and Samuel is able to guide His people today. By learning from Saul's example, believers can recognize the importance of divine calling and the dangers of judging by outward appearances.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why was Saul chosen to be Israel's first king?
Saul was chosen to be Israel's first king because of a combination of divine appointment and physical qualifications. God revealed to Samuel that Saul was the chosen one, saying, "Thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines" (1 Samuel 9:16). Saul's impressive stature and appearance also made him an ideal candidate in the eyes of the people. He was described as "a choice young man, and a goodly" and was "higher than any of the people" (1 Samuel 9:2). However, his selection was ultimately an act of divine sovereignty, not human ambition.
2. How did Saul come to meet Samuel?
Saul came to meet Samuel through a series of providential events. Saul was searching for his father's lost donkeys, and his servant suggested they consult the man of God in the nearby city. The servant said, "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" (1 Samuel 9:6). Unbeknownst to Saul, God had already revealed to Samuel that he would send a man from Benjamin to be anointed as king. The meeting was divinely orchestrated.
3. What was the significance of the private anointing of Saul?
The private anointing of Saul was significant because it symbolized divine appointment and empowerment. Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on Saul's head, saying, "Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?" (1 Samuel 10:1). The anointing with oil represented the Holy Spirit's empowerment for the king's role. The private nature of the anointing allowed Saul to prepare for his future without public pressure and confirmed that his calling was from God, not from the people.
4. What signs did Samuel give Saul to confirm his calling?
Samuel gave Saul three signs to confirm his calling. These included encounters with two men near Rachel's tomb, three men at the great tree of Tabor, and a group of prophets at Gibeah. Each sign would be fulfilled exactly as Samuel predicted. One of the most significant signs was Saul's encounter with the prophets, where "the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man" (1 Samuel 10:6). The signs confirmed that God's hand was upon Saul and strengthened his faith for the challenges ahead.
5. What lessons can believers learn from Saul's selection as king?
Believers can learn several important lessons from Saul's selection as king. First, God's sovereignty is evident in the events leading to Saul's anointing, demonstrating that God works through ordinary circumstances to accomplish His purposes. Second, outward appearances are not a reliable indicator of character. Saul's impressive stature did not guarantee faithfulness. Third, divine calling is essential for service to God. Saul was chosen by God, not by human ambition. Believers are called to trust in God's sovereignty, look beyond outward appearances, and recognize the importance of divine calling in their own lives.
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