1 Samuel 9

This chapter opens the account of the beginning of Israel's monarchy in 1 Samuel. In 1 Samuel 8, the people demand a king, and the LORD grants their request. In this chapter Saul, the future king, appears for the first time and meets Samuel.

Outline

• Verses 1–2 Kish, a mighty man of the tribe of Benjamin, and his son Saul are introduced. Saul is a choice and goodly young man, taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.
• Verses 3–10 Saul and a servant travel through several regions in search of lost donkeys and come to the land of Zuph. The servant suggests that they go to the man of God and offers the fourth part of a shekel of silver as a gift. Verse 9 adds the explanation that the one now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.
• Verses 11–14 Young women going out to draw water tell them that the seer has come to the city because of a sacrifice at the high place. As Saul and his servant enter the city, they meet Samuel.
• Verses 15–17 The day before, the LORD had told Samuel to anoint a man coming from the land of Benjamin as leader. When Samuel sees Saul, the LORD tells him that this is the man.
• Verses 18–21 Samuel identifies himself as the seer and tells Saul that the donkeys have already been found. When Samuel says that the desire of all Israel rests on Saul and his father's house, Saul replies that his tribe is the smallest and his family the least.
• Verses 22–24 Among about thirty guests, Samuel seats Saul in the chief place and has the portion that had been set aside, the thigh (KJV "shoulder"), placed before him.
• Verses 25–27 The two men talk on the housetop. Early the next morning, as Samuel sends Saul on his way, he has the servant go on ahead at the edge of the city and tells Saul that he will make known to him the word of God.

Key Verses

• 1 Samuel 9:16: "thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines" — This shows that the appointment of Saul is the will of the LORD and that its purpose is to deliver the people from the Philistines.
• 1 Samuel 9:9: "he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer" — This shows how the title used for a prophet changed over time.
• 1 Samuel 9:21: "Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?" — This reflects the humility Saul displayed at first.

Characters and Places

• Saul: The son of Kish, who will become the first king of Israel.
• Samuel: The man of God called the seer. In this chapter his name first appears in verse 14.
• Kish: A mighty man of the tribe of Benjamin and the father of Saul.
• The servant: The servant who accompanies Saul. His name is not given.
• The land of Zuph: The region containing the city where Samuel was staying. The text does not name the city.
• The high place: A place of sacrifice set on elevated ground. In this chapter it appears as the setting where the sacrifice is blessed and then eaten together.

Points for Reflection

• Verse 16 uses the term "captain" (often rendered "leader") rather than "king." Some interpreters see in this a note of caution regarding the monarchy. Commentators also note the difference in tone between chapter 8, which portrays the demand for a king negatively, and this chapter, in which God Himself chooses Saul.
• The progression from the ordinary task of searching for donkeys to Saul's anointing is often read as a narrative illustrating providence.
• Verse 2 emphasizes Saul's physical appearance. This contrasts with 1 Samuel 16, where, in the choosing of David, it is said that "the LORD looketh on the heart."
• In the New Testament, Paul's sermon in Acts 13:21 mentions "Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin." Paul himself was also from the tribe of Benjamin, and his original name was Saul (Philippians 3:5; Acts 13:9).

In the Korean Church

The contrast of "Saul, who set out to find lost donkeys and was called to be king" is frequently cited in sermons on providence and calling.