A mighty man named Kish (which means "power"), the son of Abiel, whose name means "father of might", had a son, Saul, a choice young man and a goodly. There was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he (by this we understand, goodly in appearance); from his shoulders and upward he was taller than any one. As far as looks went and to the natural eye, Saul was the best there was; this was the man God had chosen for the king that the people wanted. We shall find that he proved but a poor substitute for God, whom the people had now rejected as their King.
And now through a circumstance in which we might have thought God had no part, Saul and Samuel are brought together. Just so it is often in the history of God's people; by and by they will see (where not always do they see here) that God was in all their circumstances, working out His own gracious purposes of blessing. Saul, as he wearily pursued the missing animals, knew nothing of what God had purposed for him. But Samuel, the day before Saul came, had been told by God that tomorrow He would send him a man out of the tribe of Benjamin who should be anointed captain over His people Israel.
The oppression of the Philistines was still felt, though these enemies within the borders of Israel were humbled (chapter 7:13) for the "hill of God" was the location of a Philistine garrison (chapter 10:5). God had looked upon His people because their cry was gone up to Him. How surpassing the mercy of God, and His deep interest in those who belong to Him! The children of Israel had rebelled against Him all through their history; their journey through the desert from the shores of the Red Sea; and the years of their stay in the promised land were marked with many proofs that this people—redeemed from Egypt's slavery and brought into blessing had but little regard for God. But He had not given them up; He still followed them with pitying love.
Let us notice in verses 15 and 17 that the man who walks with God, learns the mind of God—Samuel was in himself a faithful servant of God, and we saw him acting for his divine Master in chapter 8. Now afresh directed by God, Samuel speaks to the future king, and detains him until the following day.
May this example be used of God to stir the hearts and consciences of those who are His, to seek a walk of closer communion with Himself!