He came, too, of Benjamin—a tribe notorious for its stubbornness in evil (Judges 19:16-30), and now the smallest of Israel's tribes in consequence (1 Sam. 9:21). His name means asked, for he was the answer to the people's carnal demand. He thus represents the flesh in a remarkable way but was such a one really fitted to curb the restless evil of a revolted people? Flesh can never put down flesh; have we learned this in our assembly difficulties? But that which flesh can only aggravate, the power and grace of the Holy Spirit can entirely remove. How often the church of God has proved this!
Saul seemed unaware of the existence of Samuel and of the wonderful ways of God in connection with him. In this he reminds us of Belshazzar who in his moment of stress seemed ignorant of the existence of Daniel, in spite of the fact that Nebuchadnezzar, his father, had some very remarkable experiences in connection with him (Dan. 5:11). But then Belshazzar was a pagan, while Saul belonged to a people in relationship with the Lord. The fact is, flesh is never interested in what God is doing nor in the instruments that He is using. Flesh may hear of them in a languid sort of way, but no impression is made upon the heart. In reality, the Lord was more interested in Samuel at that moment than in any other person in the world, for he was the man who stood before Him on behalf of His erring people continually. Yet to Saul he appears to have been unknown!
In his difficulty, Saul had apparently no notion of inquiring of God. It is delightful to us to know that our God is interested in small matters as well as in great. The true child of faith today, if he lost his asses, would not consider the thing too trivial for the divine notice, for are we not invited in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to make our requests known to God? (Phil. 4:6). But Saul was favored with an excellent servant who told him there was a man of God in the city to which they were approaching, and he suggested that they should consult him about their journey. Servants played an important part in the blessing of Naaman, the Syrian (2 Kings 5), from which we may learn never to despise the counsel and ministry of even the humblest messengers.