1 SAMUEL 9 - Samuel anoints Saul 

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** Saul is sent by his father on an errand to find lost donkeys; during the search Saul is instructed, through his servant, to meet the seer of a local town so they can get direction from God where to look

• God orchestrated the choice of Saul as king over Israel

• The loss of several donkeys launched Saul on a trip that led, step by step, to Samuel

• God then identified Saul as the one He intended to govern His people  <R1795>

1 Samuel 9:3,5-6,9 NIV

[3] Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.” [5] When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.” [6] But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.” [9] (Formerly in Israel, if someone went to inquire of God, they would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.)

1 Samuel 9:14 NIV

[14] They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.

** God arranged and informed Samuel that he was to meet Saul and anoint him as leader over Israel; Saul was to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines in answer to the people's prayers

1 Samuel 9:15-16 NIV

[15] Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: [16] “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”

1 Samuel 9:17-19 NIV

[17] When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.” [18] Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?” [19] “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart.

** Samuel obediently honored the visitor Saul and prepared to deliver the message God had for him

1 Samuel 9:22-24 NIV

[22] Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited---about thirty in number. [23] Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.” [24] So the cook took up the thigh with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion from the time I said, ‘I have invited guests.’ ” And Saul dined with Samuel that day.

1 Samuel 9:25-27 NIV

[25] After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house. [26] They rose about daybreak, and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get ready, and I will send you on your way.” When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together. [27] As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”---and the servant did so---“but you stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.”