1 Samuel 9:1-10:8
The Lord knew what kind of king the people wanted, so He chose one for them whom He knew they would like. Saul was a fine-looking man, head and shoulders above the rest of the people, and he was to be their king.
Saul’s father had lost his asses just at this time, and Saul went to look for them. After hunting for them for some time he began to realize that if he did not return home soon, his father would be looking for him, no longer caring about the asses. However, when he came to the place where Samuel was, he and his servant decided to go and ask him where the asses were. He felt Samuel would know because he was a man of God. Now the Lord had shown Samuel that the one who was to be the king over Israel would come to him that day. So when Saul came, Samuel knew he was to be king. Samuel told him that he was to eat with him that day, and the next day he would let him go. He told him also that the asses he was looking for had been founds and that he need not be concerned about them any longer. Instead of that, he said that the eyes of all the people were upon him. Saul could not understand this, for he was of the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel.
Samuel brought Saul into his parlor where thirty people were gathered together, and he gave him the chief seat. He also told the cook to give Saul the best portion of food, and so they ate together. The next morning Samuel and Saul arose very early, and Samuel went with Saul to the end of the city. Here he told Saul to bid his servant pass on, while he showed him the Word of God.
Samuel then took a vial of oil and poured it upon Saul’s head, anointing him in this way to be the king of Israel. He also gave him certain signs by, which he would know that God had chosen him. He said that he would meet two men by Rachel’s sepulcher who would tell him that his father’s asses had been found, and that his father was now anxious about him. After this he would meet three men going up to Bethel. Samuel even told Saul what each one would be carrying. They would give him two loaves of bread which he was to take from them. After this he would come to the hill of God where was the garrison of the Philistines. Then when he came to the city, he would meet a company of prophets who would prophesy. Samuel told him that the Spirit of the Lord would come upon him; he would also prophesy with them and be turned into another man. By this he would know that God was with him.
Surely these signs ought to have spoken to Saul. How they show that God knows everything beforehand. He understands our thoughts afar off. (Psalm 139:2.) He sees in the dark as well as in the light. He orders all things. May we never forget that we have to do with the living God.
But poor Saul was soon to show that he was unable to enter into the meang of these things. Signs never change what man is by nature. There must be new birth.
Samuel further told Saul that after he had seen all these signs, he was to go down to Gilgal and wait there seven days until he came to meet him, and then he would tell him what to do. Here the test was to come. It is one thing to listen to the Word of God, but the Lord Jesus said, “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28.
ML 06/13/1954