Samuel Anoints Saul 1 Sam 9:17-10:1

1 Sam 8:4-6 (ESV) Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah 5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. This morning, we’ll look at another piece of the story of Israel getting a king. How did this story start? Who was king? Who was Samuel?

1 Sam 8:7-9 (ESV) And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 8 According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. 9 Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.” How did God feel about Israel’s request for a king?

1 Sam 9:1-2 (ESV) There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. 2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. When Saul is first introduced in Scripture, what do we know learn about him?

1 Sam 9:1-2 (ESV) There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. 2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. When Saul is first introduced in Scripture, what do we know learn about him? Do we see anything about him that would lead us to think he is capable of leading Israel?

1 Sam 9:3-4 (ESV) Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.” 4 And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them. What quest is Saul sent on? Do we see anything about him that would lead us to think he is capable of leading Israel?

1 Sam 9:5-6 (ESV) When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us go back, lest my father cease to care about the donkeys and become anxious about us.” 6 But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go.” When they didn’t find the lost donkeys, what did Saul and his servant do? Do we see anything about him that would lead us to think he is capable of leading Israel?

1 Sam 9:10-12 (ESV) And Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was. 11 As they went up the hill to the city, they met young women coming out to draw water and said to them, “Is the seer here?” 12 They answered, “He is; behold, he is just ahead of you. Hurry. He has come just now to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today on the high place. From Saul’s perspective, how would this meeting with Samuel be described?

1 Sam 9:15-16 (ESV) Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: 16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.” From God’s perspective, how would this meeting be described?

1 Sam 9:15-16 (ESV) Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: 16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.” Who used to lead Israel in battle with the Philistines? Who will now?

1 Sam 9:15-16 (ESV) Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: 16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.” Who used to lead Israel in battle with the Philistines? Who will now? Even with this change in leadership, how does God describe the people of Israel?

1 Sam 9:15-16 (ESV) Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: 16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.” Who used to lead Israel in battle with the Philistines? Who will now? Even with this change in leadership, how does God describe the people of Israel? Does God relinquish His claim to the nation?

Ex 19:5-6 (ESV) Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” How did God describe the nation of Israel? Note: This was 3 months after delivering them out of Egypt. He repeats this description in Deut 7:6, 14:2, and 26:18.

1 Pet 5:1-3 (ESV) So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. If Israel was still God’s “treasured possession”, what job was God giving Saul? Is it really any different with the elders of the church today?

1 Sam 9:17 (ESV) When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.” When Samuel saw Saul for the very first time, _____(fill in the blank)_________.

1 Sam 9:17 (ESV) When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.” The NKJV describes Saul as “This one shall reign over my people.” “Reign over” or “restrain”?

1 Sam 9:18-20 (ESV) Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Tell me where is the house of the seer?” 19 Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. 20 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's house?” What does Samuel reveal in his greeting of Saul? What New Testament encounter does this remind you of?

1 Sam 9:18-20 (ESV) Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Tell me where is the house of the seer?” 19 Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. 20 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's house?” Put yourself in Saul’s sandals. What did you hear?

1 Sam 9:21 (ESV) Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?” Saul was definitely caught off guard, but he didn’t seem to miss the point. How would you describe his response?

1 Sam 9:21 (ESV) Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?” Saul was definitely caught off guard, but he didn’t seem to miss the point. How would you describe his response? Do you see something in his response that leads you to believe he is capable of leading Israel?

1 Sam 9:21 (ESV) Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?” “Like Gideon before him, Saul should recall that God is able to take the youngest and seemingly insignificant and elevate them to great prominence.” - Robert B. Chisholm, Jr 1 & 2 Samuel (Teach the Text Commentary Series)

1 Sam 9:22 (ESV) Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons. In this single verse, what do you see that shows how deeply Samuel trusted God?

1 Sam 9:23-24 (ESV) And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Put it aside.’” 24 So the cook took up the leg and what was on it and set them before Saul. And Samuel said, “See, what was kept is set before you. Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. What else do you see that shows how deeply Samuel trusted God?

1 Sam 9:23-24 (ESV) And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Put it aside.’” 24 So the cook took up the leg and what was on it and set them before Saul. And Samuel said, “See, what was kept is set before you. Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. How does Samuel treat Saul? Would you expect treatment like this in today’s world?

1 Sam 9:23-24 (ESV) And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Put it aside.’” 24 So the cook took up the leg and what was on it and set them before Saul. And Samuel said, “See, what was kept is set before you. Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. “By these actions Samuel was (1) signaling those present that they should be treating this man like a king; and (2) preparing Saul for the announcement he would make the next day. The news that Saul was treated royally that day must have spread rapidly through the land.” - James E. Smith 1 & 2 Samuel (The College Press NIV Commentary)

1 Sam 9:25 (ESV) And when they came down from the high place into the city, a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep. 1 Sam 9:25 (NKJV) When they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the top of the house. NKJV footnotes state: Following Masoretic Text and Targum; Septuagint omits “He spoke with Saul on the top of the house”; Septuagint and Vulgate add “And he prepared a bed for Saul on the top of the house, and he slept.” Either way, Saul and Samuel probably had some private time together. What do you think the talked about?

1 Sam 9:26-27 (ESV) Then at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Up, that I may send you on your way.” So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street. 27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to pass on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.” In these verses, Samuel’s private conversation includes ________________.

1 Sam 9:26-27 (ESV) Then at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Up, that I may send you on your way.” So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street. 27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to pass on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.” In these verses, Samuel’s private conversation includes ________________. What does this tell us about Samuel’s love for God? What does this tell us about Samuel’s love for Israel?

1 Sam 9:26-27 (ESV) Then at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Up, that I may send you on your way.” So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street. 27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to pass on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.” In these verses, Samuel’s private conversation includes ________________. What does this tell us about Samuel’s love for God? What does this tell us about Samuel’s love for Israel? Next year with our change of presidents, do you think their will be a similar conversation?

1 Sam 10:1 (ESV) Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage. “The sacramental act of anointing is a ritual of inauguration which designates an individual for a specific office consecrated by Yahweh … Here also, anointing stamps Saul with a special character and privilege because of a unique standing before God.” - Bill T. Arnold 1 & 2 Samuel (The NIV Application Commentary)

1 Sam 10:1 (ESV) Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage. What does the anointing show us about Samuel’s heart?

Although Israel’s push for a king stands as a reminder of their rejection of God, the Lord did not forget His people. Instead, He provided them with the leader they sought. It is not possible to read about the meeting between Saul and Samuel without seeing the hands of God at work. Saul began his journey in search of his father’s donkeys and ended it as the anointed king. Only God could orchestrate such a turn of events.

Samuel’s actions with regard to Saul are commendable. Although Saul was essentially replacing Samuel as Israel’s leader, the old prophet did not treat the young man with spite. Instead, Samuel graciously hosted a feast that served to indicate Saul was the one chosen to be king. Too, Samuel did not hesitate to share God’s Word with Saul. His actions indicate that he cared more for the well- being of God’s people than for his own position. Leaders would do well to imitate Samuel’s gracious behavior.

Samuel Presents King Saul 1 Sam 10:17-27