Who are Kish and Saul in this passage and why are they introduced this way?

Kish is introduced as a Benjamite and a “mighty man of power,” showing that Saul comes from a respected, though not leading, family in Israel. Saul is described as a “choice young man,” very handsome, and taller than anyone else. This tells us how people would naturally see him as king material based on looks and presence. The story starts with these details so we notice the contrast between what people tend to value in a leader and how God quietly works through ordinary tasks, like looking for lost animals, to raise up the person He has chosen.

Why are Kish’s donkeys lost, and why is that detail important in this story?

The lost donkeys seem like a small family problem, but they are the tool God uses to move Saul toward Samuel. Kish sends Saul and a servant to look for them, which shows Saul as an obedient son doing humble work, not acting like a powerful prince. As they wander through different regions and cannot find the animals, they end up near the city where Samuel lives. What looks like a frustrating and ordinary search is actually God guiding Saul to the prophet at exactly the right time to begin his calling as leader of Israel.

What does this passage show about seeking guidance from a man of God?

Saul is ready to give up the search, but his servant suggests going to see a “man of God” in the nearby city, known as an honourable man whose words always come to pass. This shows respect for God’s servants and the belief that God can use them to give direction, even in practical concerns. Saul worries about bringing a gift, which reflects the custom of honouring those who serve God. The story encourages us to value wise, godly counsel and to approach it with respect, while also reminding us that God’s help reaches into everyday needs.

What is the difference between a seer and a prophet in this passage?

The passage explains that in earlier days in Israel, people said, “Let us go to the seer,” but the person who was then called a seer is now called a prophet. A seer was someone God allowed to see things others could not, such as future events or hidden matters. A prophet is someone who speaks God’s message to people. Here, both words are used for Samuel, showing that he both sees what God reveals and speaks it. This note helps readers understand older language and shows how God’s way of guiding His people through His spokesmen remained the same over time.

How does God’s providence appear in the meeting between Saul and Samuel?

God’s providence shows up in quiet but clear ways. Before Saul arrives, the Lord has already spoken to Samuel, telling him that He will send a man from Benjamin at about that time the next day, and that this man is to be anointed as leader over Israel. While Saul thinks he is just chasing donkeys and listening to his servant’s suggestion, God is actually directing his steps. Even the timing of Samuel coming out of the city to go up to the high place matches Saul’s arrival. The story shows that God can work through ordinary decisions to carry out His plans.

Why does Samuel give Saul the best portion at the meal, and what does it mean?

Samuel seats Saul and his servant in the chief place among about thirty guests and has the cook bring out a special portion of meat that had been set aside ahead of time. Samuel explains that this portion was kept for Saul since he had invited the people. This public honour is a sign of Saul’s coming role and shows that God’s choice has already been made, even though Saul does not yet grasp it fully. The set-aside portion demonstrates that God prepared for Saul’s arrival before Saul knew anything about it, hinting at the kingly honour to come.

Why does Saul protest that he is from the smallest tribe and least family?

When Samuel hints that “all the desire of Israel” is toward Saul and his father’s house, Saul is surprised and humbled. He replies that he is a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe, and that his family is the least within that tribe. This shows that Saul does not see himself as important or powerful in Israel’s eyes. His answer reveals a sense of smallness and unworthiness, which at this point looks like humility. The passage reminds us that God often chooses people who do not see themselves as great, and that His plans do not depend on human status.

What does this passage teach about God’s care for His people Israel?

God tells Samuel that He is sending Saul so that he will be “captain over my people Israel,” to save them from the Philistines, because He has looked on His people and heard their cry. This shows that God is not distant from their struggles. He hears their prayers and sees their oppression. Even though their request for a king came from mixed motives, God still cares enough to give them a leader who will help defend them. The passage teaches that God’s choice of leaders is tied to His compassion and His desire to protect and guide His people.

How can this story about Saul and Samuel apply to my life today?

This story encourages you to see God’s hand in ordinary events. Saul was just obeying his father and looking for animals, yet God used that simple task to guide him into a whole new calling. It also reminds you to seek wise, godly counsel when you are unsure what to do, as Saul finally did by going to Samuel. You do not need large gifts or high status for God to lead you. He can use small things, daily duties, and even frustrations to bring you where He wants you to be, in His time.

1Sam.9.1

1 Samuel 9:1

KJV

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.

Saul Chosen as King

Saul’s Search

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.

2 And 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.

3 And 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.

4 And 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.

5 And 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.

6 And 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.

7 Then 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?

8 And 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.)

10 Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.

11 ¶ And 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?

12 And 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:

13 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, 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.

14 And 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.

God’s Choice for King

15 ¶ Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,

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 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.

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.

18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.

19 And 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.

20 And 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?

21 And 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?

22 And 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.

23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

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.

25 ¶ And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.

26 And 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.

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 stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.

Cross References

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