1 Samuel Chapter 9

God Leads Saul to Samuel

A. Saul searches for his father’s donkeys.

1. (1 Samuel 9:1-2) Kish, the father of Saul, and his son Saul.

“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. And he had a choice and handsome son, whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.”

Kish, Saul’s father, was described as “a mighty man of power,” which denotes not merely physical strength, but wealth, standing, and influence. The tribe of Benjamin had once been reduced almost to extinction after their civil war with the other tribes (Judges 20–21), yet by this time Kish’s family had regained prominence. Saul therefore came from a family of status and material success, one that commanded respect within Israel.

Saul himself was described as “a choice and handsome” young man. Outwardly, he appeared to be everything Israel would have wanted in a king. His height set him apart, as he stood head and shoulders above the rest of the people. His physical stature and appearance mirrored what the nation desired—a visible, impressive figure to lead them, someone who looked the part of a monarch who could “go out before them and fight their battles” (1 Samuel 8:20).

The name Saul means “asked for” or “requested.” This meaning carries a double edge, for while Saul was the king Israel had asked for, he was not the king God would have chosen for them had they trusted Him. The people had rejected God’s theocratic rule, demanding instead to be “like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5). In this sense, Saul was the physical embodiment of their request—an answer from God that allowed them to see the folly of their own desires.

The text also makes a subtle yet significant omission: there is no mention of Saul’s relationship with God. His lineage, wealth, and physical attributes are recorded in detail, but not his faith or devotion. This silence is telling. Outwardly impressive though he was, Saul’s heart was not aligned with the Lord. As God later said through Samuel, “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Saul’s introduction reflects the spiritual condition of Israel as a whole. The nation was captivated by externals—power, appearance, prestige—yet it lacked spiritual depth and faithfulness. They were still the covenant people of God, but their hearts had grown distant. Saul, the man they “asked for,” mirrored their spiritual emptiness. His rise to prominence, therefore, was both a divine concession and a test of Israel’s heart.

2. (1 Samuel 9:3–14) Saul and his servant search for his father’s donkeys and meet Samuel the prophet.

“Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, ‘Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.’ 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. 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.’ 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.’ 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?’ 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.’ (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.) Then said Saul to his servant, ‘Well said; come, let us go.’ So they went unto the city where the man of God was. 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?’ 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: 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.’ 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.”

Saul’s journey to find his father’s lost donkeys may appear to be a mundane errand, yet it was divinely orchestrated. The text reveals how the sovereignty of God works through what seems ordinary or even frustrating. The donkeys had wandered off, but the hand of the Lord was directing every step of Saul’s path toward the man who would anoint him king.

a. “Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost”:
Israel’s first king was led to his divine calling through a trivial domestic problem—lost donkeys. What seemed like a simple inconvenience in the household of Kish was in reality part of God’s larger providential plan. God often uses ordinary, even annoying, circumstances to guide His people toward His will.

There are, however, two common errors regarding divine guidance through circumstances. The first is to over-spiritualize every event of life, assuming each detail carries deep symbolic meaning. This can lead to superstition and confusion. The second is to ignore the hand of God altogether, dismissing His providence in daily affairs. The proper view is to recognize that while not every event is of grand significance, nothing lies outside God’s sovereign oversight. As Romans 8:28 teaches, “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.”

b. “They did not find them... they were not there... did not find them”:
The repeated frustration of not finding the donkeys demonstrates that Saul’s search was guided by divine delay. The donkeys could have turned up early, but God ensured that they remained lost until Saul reached the precise place and time appointed for his meeting with Samuel. What seemed like failure was God’s preparation. The donkeys were not lost to chance but moved according to God’s unseen hand. Ironically, the animals were more submissive to divine direction than Saul himself, who would later struggle to yield to God’s will.

c. “Look now, there is in this city a man of God... perhaps he can show us the way we should go”:
This remark from Saul’s servant shows the spiritual shallowness of both men. They did not think of Samuel as a spiritual leader or as one through whom the Word of God was revealed, but merely as someone who might help them locate their livestock. Nevertheless, their casual suggestion led them exactly where God intended.

Though their motives were small, the reputation of Samuel was great. He was known as “a man of God” and “an honorable man” whose words never failed. His integrity and prophetic accuracy were so well known that even the spiritually indifferent respected him. Every believer should aspire to this reputation—that one’s character and truthfulness bear public witness to the reality of God.

d. “There is no present to bring the man of God”:
Saul’s concern not to approach Samuel empty-handed reflects cultural courtesy rather than superstition. In ancient Israel, a small token of gratitude was often brought to prophets or seers as a gesture of respect (see 1 Kings 14:3 and 2 Kings 8:8–9). This was not payment for prophecy but acknowledgment of the prophet’s role as God’s representative. As the commentator Adam Clarke noted, the word seer (roeh) signifies one who perceives or sees into divine truth through revelation. While all seers were prophets, not all prophets were seers in the same visionary sense. Samuel stood among the greatest of both.

e. “Hurry now; for today he came to this city”:
In another striking example of divine timing, Saul arrived on the exact day that Samuel was in town for a public sacrifice. The servant’s suggestion, the women drawing water, the donkeys’ route—all converged under God’s providence. This was not coincidence but coordination by the sovereign Lord, who was leading Saul step by step without his awareness.

The young women’s excitement at seeing Saul—perhaps due to his commanding appearance—adds a human touch to the narrative, yet their directions confirm God’s perfect orchestration. At the very moment Saul entered the city, Samuel himself was coming out toward him, ready to meet the man God had chosen for Israel’s first throne.

In this passage, we see God’s invisible hand guiding through ordinary events. Saul thought he was chasing donkeys, but God was drawing him toward destiny. This truth reminds believers that the same God who ordered Saul’s steps also directs ours, often through unremarkable paths that lead to remarkable purposes.

B. Samuel and Saul meet.

1. (1 Samuel 9:15–17) God tells Samuel that Saul is the man who will be king.

“Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, ‘Tomorrow 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.’ 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.’”

In these verses, we witness the intersection of divine revelation and providence. While Saul’s journey seemed guided by coincidence—lost donkeys, a servant’s suggestion, and the timing of Samuel’s visit—God had already disclosed His purpose to Samuel. This demonstrates the perfect harmony between God’s sovereign plan and human activity.

a. “Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear the day before”:
Here we see the intimacy of Samuel’s relationship with God. While Saul, a man without spiritual discernment, was led by outward events, Samuel received direct instruction from the LORD. The phrase “had told Samuel in his ear” literally means “had uncovered his ear.” This expression, used also in Ruth 4:4, suggests the action of drawing near to whisper confidentially. It symbolizes personal, private revelation rather than an audible voice.

This quiet communication between God and His servant contrasts sharply with the way God guided Saul. God spoke to Samuel by revelation but led Saul by circumstance. The difference illustrates two kinds of people: those who know God’s voice through fellowship, and those whom God must direct through outward events because they lack inward communion with Him. As Psalm 25:14 says, “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant.”

b. “Tomorrow about this time”:
The LORD gave Samuel a specific word about timing and event. This was not vague foresight but precise prophecy. Samuel did not attempt to manipulate or fulfill the word himself; he simply waited to see God’s promise come to pass. Genuine faith allows God to bring about what He has spoken without human interference. This is the difference between presumption and faith—faith trusts that God’s timing is perfect, whereas presumption tries to hasten His will.

c. “I will send thee a man”:
Even in Israel’s rejection of divine kingship (as seen in 1 Samuel 8:7), God remained sovereign. Though the people desired a human ruler “like all the nations,” the LORD still orchestrated the arrival of that man. The phrase “I will send” reveals that Saul’s appointment, though born of human rebellion, was still under divine control. God may grant men their desires, even when they run contrary to His best plan, but He does so in a way that still fulfills His overarching purpose. As Psalm 115:3 declares, “But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.”

God’s sending of Saul is an example of divine concession—He gave Israel what they demanded but used that very choice to accomplish His providential plan. It reminds us that God’s sovereignty does not depend on human faithfulness; He remains in control even when His people rebel.

d. “That he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines”:
Despite Saul’s flaws and the tragic end of his reign, God still intended to use him for deliverance. Saul would indeed lead Israel to victory over her enemies and bring a measure of national security. The LORD calls Israel “My people” three times in this passage, a reminder of His steadfast covenant love. Even in their disobedience, He still regarded them as His own. His compassion was stirred by their suffering under Philistine oppression: “for I have looked upon My people, because their cry is come unto Me.”

This shows that divine mercy does not depend on human merit. Israel’s cry was not that of repentance, but of distress, yet God still responded in compassion. Similarly, God often helps His people not because they deserve it, but because His covenant love endures.

e. “And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him”:
The confirmation of God’s word followed exactly as He had declared. The next day, as Saul entered the city, God revealed to Samuel with perfect clarity, “Behold the man whom I spake to thee of.” The LORD’s voice is consistent—what He speaks in advance He later affirms in reality. True prophecy is never vague or uncertain; it comes to pass in precise detail, proving that it is indeed from God.

Here again we see divine initiative: God identified the man, arranged the meeting, and appointed the time. Israel’s request for a king was rooted in unbelief, but God still overruled it to fulfill His purpose. He would use Saul’s reign to teach His people the folly of trusting appearances rather than faith. Later, through Saul’s failure, the LORD would raise up David, a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).

This passage thus reveals the sovereign grace of God: even when His people choose wrongly, He remains faithful to direct history toward His redemptive plan.

2. (1 Samuel 9:18–21) Samuel and Saul meet.

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

This is one of the most striking scenes in Scripture, where divine providence and human ignorance meet face to face. Saul, unaware that he stood before the prophet who would anoint him king, approached Samuel at the gate in simple inquiry. Yet, before the day ended, Saul would learn that the destiny of a nation rested upon his shoulders.

a. “You shall eat with me today”:
Saul’s surprise must have been profound. He had been searching for lost donkeys and instead found himself standing before Israel’s greatest prophet. Not only did Samuel reveal himself as the seer Saul sought, but he immediately extended an invitation to dine with him at the high place—a privilege reserved for the most honored guests. Even more astonishing was Samuel’s promise: “Tomorrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.”

For a man like Saul, this must have been both thrilling and unsettling. To hear a prophet say, “I will tell you all that is in your heart,” would strike fear in most men, for it implies that nothing is hidden before God. As Hebrews 4:13 declares, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Saul was about to discover that God not only knew his path, but also his thoughts, ambitions, and fears.

b. “As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago”:
This statement confirmed Samuel’s divine insight. Before Saul could even mention the reason for his journey, Samuel revealed knowledge that only the LORD could have given him. In this, God assured Saul that His servant spoke with divine authority. It was as though God was saying, “If I can tell you where your donkeys are, I can also tell you where your life is going.”

God often uses small signs to confirm His greater purposes. The recovery of the donkeys was a token of God’s control over every detail. What Saul considered a minor problem was in fact the vehicle that brought him to his destiny.

c. “On whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you?”
With these words, Samuel hinted at Saul’s calling. The “desire of Israel” referred to the people’s longing for a king. Samuel was essentially saying, “The nation’s hope for leadership and victory rests upon you and your father’s house.” Though Saul did not yet grasp it, Samuel was preparing him for the revelation that he was to be Israel’s first monarch.

This statement also carries prophetic irony. The people’s “desire” for a king was rooted in rejection of God’s direct rule (1 Samuel 8:7). In fulfilling their request, God was both answering and judging their desire, giving them exactly what they asked for, so they might learn to long once more for His kingship.

d. “Why then do you speak like this to me?”
Saul’s reply was outwardly humble. He protested that he was from the smallest tribe, Benjamin, and from the least family within it. Historically, Benjamin was indeed the smallest tribe (see Judges 20:46–48), yet Saul’s family was by no means insignificant. His father Kish was a “mighty man of power” (1 Samuel 9:1), suggesting wealth and status. Saul’s modesty was therefore more rhetorical than factual—a humble posture rather than deep humility.

At this early stage, Saul’s humility seemed genuine, but it would later be proven superficial. As Adam Clarke wisely observed, “This speech of Saul is exceedingly modest; he was now becomingly humble; but who can bear elevation and prosperity?” True humility endures honor without corruption; Saul’s did not. His future downfall would reveal that his humility was circumstantial rather than spiritual.

This encounter demonstrates how God’s call can come unexpectedly and undeservedly. Saul was neither seeking kingship nor prepared for it, yet God’s providence placed him where he could not miss His appointment with destiny.

3. (1 Samuel 9:22–24) Samuel makes certain that Saul is honored at the feast.

“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. And Samuel said unto the cook, ‘Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.’ 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.”

Samuel’s deliberate actions at the feast were full of prophetic symbolism. Without publicly revealing Saul’s destiny, he ensured that Saul was treated as one chosen for great honor.

a. “Had them sit in the place of honor”:
In ancient custom, seating arrangements reflected rank. The highest place at a meal was to the right of the host, and Samuel directed Saul to this chief position. For a man of Saul’s unassuming background, this must have seemed bewildering. He had set out to recover livestock but was suddenly treated as a dignitary. This moment foreshadowed the elevation that awaited him—the shepherd of donkeys was about to become shepherd of Israel.

b. “It was set apart for you”:
Samuel instructed the cook to bring out the reserved portion of meat—the shoulder. This was significant. Under Mosaic law, the shoulder was one of the choicest parts of the peace offering (see Leviticus 7:32–33). Symbolically, it represented strength and authority, as though Samuel was saying, “This portion of leadership and responsibility has been set apart for you.” God had already prepared Saul’s place and portion before Saul even arrived.

We can see in this a lesson on divine preparation. Long before Saul’s arrival, the portion had been “set by.” God’s plans are always prepared in advance, waiting for His appointed time to be revealed. The believer may rest assured that what God intends for him is not random—it has been prepared long before he arrives at the moment of fulfillment.

c. Saul’s response to honor:
Though the text does not record Saul’s reaction, this event likely tested his character. How a person handles honor often reveals the heart. Some grow proud when elevated; others feign humility while inwardly delighting in praise. Samuel’s quiet observation of Saul at this feast may have been a test to see how he handled distinction before others. At this moment, Saul appeared modest and silent—but future events would show that humility, unanchored in submission to God, cannot endure the weight of honor.

4. (1 Samuel 9:25–27) Samuel and Saul talk together through the night.

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

This moment captures the private counsel between the prophet and the man who would soon become Israel’s first king. It was not a public ceremony but an intimate meeting between God’s servant and God’s chosen instrument. The night spent together on the rooftop was likely filled with serious instruction, prayer, and solemn reflection.

a. “Samuel spoke with Saul on the top of the house”:
The flat roofs of ancient Israelite homes were used as quiet places for conversation, rest, or prayer (see Acts 10:9). It was here, under the stillness of night, that Samuel privately instructed Saul about the gravity of his coming kingship. Samuel likely recounted Israel’s request for a king and the LORD’s reluctant granting of that request. The old prophet must have warned Saul about the spiritual dangers that accompany power and pride, urging him to remain a servant of God above all else.

We can imagine Samuel’s counsel resembling this: “Saul, you have much in your favor—stature, strength, family reputation, and the favor of the people. But these alone cannot make you a righteous king. Unless you give your heart fully to the LORD, your reign will fail. You must rule under God’s authority, not apart from it.”

These would have been fitting words, for Saul’s early humility would later be swallowed by disobedience and self-will. Samuel, discerning this potential even now, likely impressed upon him the necessity of obedience and reverence.

i. A Historical Illustration:
A fitting parallel is found in the resolve of young Queen Victoria. When she was eleven years old, her governess showed her a list of England’s monarchs with her own name written at the end. Realizing her destiny, she burst into tears, then composed herself and said, “I will be good.” In like manner, Saul was given the chance to respond with determination to the divine calling before him. If only Saul had resolved in his heart, “I will be good; I will obey the LORD,” his reign might have been long and blessed.

God often gives such defining moments to those He calls—times of private instruction before public elevation. The way one responds in that quiet, formative season often determines the kind of leader they will become.

b. “That I may announce to you the word of God”:
Samuel’s words introduced what was about to take place—the formal declaration and anointing of Saul as king. The expression “the word of God” emphasizes that what was coming was not Samuel’s idea, nor Israel’s scheme, but God’s decree. This was a divine appointment, spoken by the prophet of the LORD.

By sending the servant ahead, Samuel ensured privacy, signaling that this revelation was sacred and personal. The message that followed would not merely be a prophetic insight but a life-changing command. This private meeting shows God’s grace and order—He never places a man in leadership without first confronting him with His Word. Before Saul could rule Israel, he had to hear and submit to the Word of God.

In a sense, this night symbolized the two paths before Saul. On one side stood the opportunity to serve God faithfully and lead Israel righteously; on the other lay the temptation of pride and self-will. Samuel’s final words, “stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God,” remind us that divine calling always begins with stillness before God—listening before acting, receiving before ruling.