1
There was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Bekhorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a man of standing.
2
He had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man; there was not among the children of Israel a more handsome man than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
3
Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the servants with you, arise, and go look for the donkeys.”
4
So they passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and they passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there; then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but they did not find them.
5
When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us return, lest my father stop thinking about the donkeys and become anxious about us.”
6
But he said to him, “Look, there is in this city a man of God, a man held in honor; all that he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now; perhaps he can tell us the way we should take.”
7
Then Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what shall we bring to the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no gift to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”
8
The servant answered Saul again, “Look, I have here a quarter shekel of silver; I can give that to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.”
9
— Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for the one now called a prophet was formerly called a seer. —
10
Then Saul said to his servant, “Your idea is good. Come, let us go.” So they went to the city, to the man of God.
11
As they were going up the ascent to the city, they met young women coming out to draw water. They asked them, “Is the seer here?”
12
The young women answered them, “Yes, he is there; just now he went ahead of you. Hurry now, for he has come to the city today, because there is a sacrifice for the people on the high place today.
13
As soon as you enter the city, you will find him at once, before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward the invited guests may eat. Go up now, for you will find him at once.”
14
Then they went up to the city, and as they were entering the city, Samuel was coming out to go up to the high place, and they met him.
15
Now the LORD had revealed to Samuel, the day before Saul came, saying:
16
“Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin; you shall anoint him to be prince over My people Israel, and he shall save My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon the affliction of My people, because their cry has come to Me.”
17
When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you; this one shall rule over My people.”
18
Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate and said, “Please tell me, where is the seer’s house?”
19
Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place. Today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.
20
As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not be anxious, for they have been found. And to whom does all that is desired in Israel belong? Is it not to you and to all your father’s house?”
21
But Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, of the smallest tribe in Israel? And is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me like this?”
22
Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, about thirty men.
23
Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion that I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.'”
24
So the cook took up the thigh and what belonged to it and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, “See, what has been kept is set before you; eat, for it has been kept for you for this appointed time, when I said, ‘I have invited the people.'” So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
25
Afterward they came down from the high place into the city. And Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof.
26
They rose early, and at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, saying, “Get up, that I may send you on your way.” Then Saul arose, and both of them went out, he and Samuel.
27
As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on before us, but you stand still for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.”
👑🐴🔍 Summary of 1 Samuel 9 – Saul Chosen as the First King of Israel
1 Samuel 9 introduces Saul, a young man from the tribe of Benjamin who was handsome, tall, and impressive, yet did not yet understand his calling. In searching for his father’s donkeys, God led him to the prophet Samuel. Without Saul realizing it, that ordinary journey became the beginning of an extraordinary destiny: he was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel.
📌 1. Saul: Young, Handsome, and Unaware (verses 1–2)
➡️ Saul was the son of Kish, a wealthy man from the tribe of Benjamin
➡️ He is described as the most handsome man and the tallest among the people
🎯 The Lord sometimes chooses someone from an ordinary background for an extraordinary task.
📌 2. The Search for the Lost Donkeys (verses 3–10)
➡️ His father had lost some donkeys, and Saul was sent with his servant to look for them
➡️ After searching for days, they did not find them
➡️ The servant suggested going to see the prophet (seer) who lived in a town near them
🎯 The Lord can use ordinary events to lead to a great calling.
📌 3. The Meeting with Samuel: Planned by God (verses 11–17)
➡️ Before Saul arrived, the Lord had already told Samuel that the future king would come
➡️ When Samuel saw Saul, God said: “This is the man who will rule over My people”
🎯 The Lord arranges events with divine precision — nothing is by chance.
📌 4. Samuel Honors Saul (verses 18–24)
➡️ Samuel welcomed Saul with great honor
➡️ He said that the lost donkeys had been found, but more important than that: “All the desire of Israel is upon you.”
➡️ Saul was confused — he was from the smallest tribe and a small family
➡️ Samuel told him to eat in the place of honor
🎯 The Lord often chooses the unnoticed to carry out His great plan.
📌 5. Separation and Secret Preparation (verses 25–27)
➡️ After the meal, Samuel spoke privately with Saul
➡️ The two walked together, and Samuel was ready to deliver the word of the Lord especially for Saul
🎯 Before a great promotion, God often prepares the heart in private and in silence.
📖 Main Teaching
- God chooses and prepares leaders according to His own plan and timing
- Ordinary events in life can become an entrance into a divine calling
- God sees the heart, not only background or status
- Submission and humility are important first attitudes in leadership
- God’s plan often begins in quietness, humility, and without display
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 1 Corinthians 1:27–28
“But what is foolish to the world, God has chosen…”
➡️ Like Saul from the smallest tribe, God uses the overlooked for great work.
📖 Romans 8:28
“All things work together for good…”
➡️ Even the search for donkeys became an instrument of God to fulfill His plan.
📖 Matthew 23:12
“Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
➡️ Saul was humble at first — and God lifted him high.
📖 Luke 1:52
“He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree.”
➡️ God confirms that He promotes according to His will.
🕊️ “This is the man who will rule over My people.” – 1 Samuel 9:17
🕊️ “The donkeys… have been found.” – 1 Samuel 9:20
🕊️ “Is not all the desire of Israel on you and on all your father’s house?” – 1 Samuel 9:20
🕊️ “Speak, so that I may tell you the word of God.” – 1 Samuel 9:27
