“From Ranch
hand to Ruler” (1
Samuel 9-10)
“On the one side Saul
was a man hunting for donkeys who instead found a kingdom; and on the other
side there was Samuel, who was looking for a suitable king and found a young
man of remarkable political unawareness.”—David Pain p.45
…their
[Israel’s] national failings and the inmost defect of their religious life:
that of combining zeal for the religion of Jehovah, and outward conformity to
it, with utter want of real heart submission to the Lord, and of true devotedness
to Him. -- Alfred Edershiem
The
people obtained precisely what they wanted … In truth, the history of Saul is a
summary and a reflection of that of Israel. -- Alfred Edershiem
SETTING 9:1-14
Introductions
·
Kish (1)
“Traditionally translations have identified
Kish as a “valiant warrior,” but the niv
“man of standing” is probably a better choice”
-- IVPBBC
Kish, the father of
Saul, was a man of wealth. The last
phrase hardly does justice to the Hebrew, gibbôr
hāyîl, which implies much more: ‘a mighty man of power’ (av). His long genealogy testifies to a
family of importance in Benjamin, and his son Saul had the added advantage of
unusually tall stature and extra good looks.
--Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
The
tribe of Benjamin was descended from the youngest son of Jacob. Its more recent
history was disreputable in that it had been nearly exterminated in a civil war
during the Judges period (Judges 20–21). Its tribal allotment was small but
strategically placed between the powerful tribes of Judah and Ephraim.
Jerusalem, not yet in Israelite control but destined for greatness, was in
Benjaminite territory.
-- IVPBBC
·
Kish,
the father of Saul, and Ner, the father of Abner, were brothers, the sons of
Abiel.(
Comp. 1 Sam. 14:51.) The former is described in the text as “a hero
of might,” by which, as in the case of Boaz, who is similarly designated (Ruth
2:1), were meant in those times men stalwart, strong, and true, worthy
representatives and, if need were, defenders of their national rights and of
their national religion. -- Alfred Edershiem
·
Saul (2)
Even after kingship evolved into
a permanent institution, the king who carried the aura of a great champion was
the pride of his people.
– IVPBBC
In chapters 9—11 the writer painted Saul as the ideal
man to serve as king from the human viewpoint. –Thomas Constable
No mention is here made of his
wisdom or virtue, his learning or piety, or any of the accomplishments of his
mind, but that he was a tall, proper, handsome man, that had a good face, a
good shape, and a good presence, graceful and well proportioned: Among all the children of Israel there was
not a goodlier person than he… --Matthew Henry
·
Servant (3)
·
Samuel (6)
It is intriguing that Saul, who
lives only a stone’s throw away from Samuel’s hometown and within the circuit
of Samuel’s territory, appears ignorant of this nationally renowned figure. – IVPBBC
One puzzling, often-noted feature
of the story is Saul’s ignorance of Samuel, but that may be to misinterpret the
writer’s intention. What he wants to convey is rather Saul’s lack of awareness
of the future. --Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
These holy men were supported by
the gifts of the villages they served and would have been consulted on any
number of minor personal matters.
-- IVPBBC
Mundane
Events (3-8)
·
Donkeys lost /
Fruitless Search (4-5)
And yet there was exquisite
simplicity about the family-life of these great, strong men. Kish had lost his
she-asses—a loss of some consequence in times of such poverty that a man would
consider “the fourth part of a shekel,” or a sus—about 61½d. of our
money—as quite an adequate gift to offer a “seer” in return for consulting him
(1 Sam. 9:8). -- Alfred Edershiem
Saul’s concern for his father’s peace of mind was commendable. It
shows a sensitivity that would have been an asset in a king (v. 5).
Likewise his desire to give Samuel a present for his help was praiseworthy
(v. 7; cf. 1 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 8:8-9). –Thomas Constable
But his obedience to his father
in it was very commendable. Seest thou a
man diligent in his business, and dutiful to his superiors, willing to
stoop and willing to take pains? he does as Saul stand fair for
preferment. –Matthew
Henry
·
Inquiry of the
Seer (6-14)
Most people would rather be told
their fortune than told their duty, how to be rich than how to be saved. --Matthew Henry
A quarter of a shekel of silver
would have been the equivalent of a week or so of wages for the ordinary
working man. This would be appropriate considering the value of the donkeys
that had been lost.
– IVPBBC
The fact that Saul arrived just
at the appropriate time to meet Samuel is another sign of providential
overruling. This impression is strengthened when, as Saul and his servant enter
the city gate, Samuel is just coming out.
--Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
For, amidst the guests gathered
there, the two strangers could have little expectation of finding access to the
president of the feast… -- Alfred Edershiem
APPLICATION: All the use they would make of the man
of God was to be advised by him whether they should return home, or, if there
were any hopes of finding the asses, which way they must go next—a poor
business to employ a prophet about! Had they said, “Let us give up the asses
for lost, and, now that we are so near the man of God, let us go and learn from
him the good knowledge of God,… Note, Most people would rather be told
their fortune than told their duty, how to be rich than how to be saved. --Matthew Henry
RISING
ACTION 9:15-10:16
The
fact that Saul arrived just at the appropriate time to meet Samuel is another
sign of providential overruling. This impression is strengthened when, as Saul
and his servant enter the city gate, Samuel is just coming out. --Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
Now
we hear the secret of what Yahweh is doing.
“I will send you a man.”” That
puts an entirely different face on matters! --Dale Ralph Davis 1
Samuel: Looking on the Heart
Saul
thought he was looking for donkeys. His
father thought he had sent him on an errand.
His servant had suggested a plan.
But God was working through all these people. --Africa
Bible Commentary
However,
we might ask: Does Yahweh’s providence only operate in the affairs of major
figures in salvation history (Saul in the case) or does his (mostly) invisible
wisdom follow my path as well? Prov.
16:9; 20:24
--Dale Ralph Davis 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart
The
Hints (19-24)
·
Donkeys found
(20a)
·
Mysterious
Complements (20b-21)
The lack of
ancestry could label one as an imposter or pretender.
It may also have
been considered good manners to play down one’s social standing, especially in
the presence of God’s prophet or messenger, but in Saul’s case there seems to
have been a modesty that was combined with a shy temperament (cf. 1 Sam.
10:22). --Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
Astounded, Saul could only reply that he was
unworthy of this high honor (v. 21). The transparency and humility of Saul are
evident at this stage of his career. -- Eugene H.
Merrill in BKC
·
Honored Position
at the Feast (22-24)
The portions of meat that were to
be eaten by the priests and the worshipers were at times required to the
premises (for example, Lev 7:6). Since feasting was an important part of
sacrifice and worship, be eaten on sanctuaries provided rooms for that
activity. –
IVPBBC
When
God makes a plan for you, your seat is reserved. You need not take another man’s place. . --Africa Bible Commentary
·
Rooftop Guest
(25-27)
Second stories (rooms on the
roof) were desirable for family activities and sleeping because they offered
better ventilation. --
IVPBBC
The rsv’s a bed was spread
for Saul follows the lxx
here, while the av and niv keep to the Hebrew, ‘he [Samuel], talked
with Saul’, which makes good sense.
The
Word of God / The Anointing / The Kiss
(9:27-10:1)
In the Old Testament anointing
with oil symbolized the setting apart of a person or even an object for divine
service (Ex. 30:23–33). -- Eugene H.
Merrill in BKC
Samuel explained that the reason
he was anointing Saul was because the
Lord has anointed you commander over his inheritance (10:1b). Israel was God’s inheritance, and he wanted
Saul to know this from the very start.
Anointing would not make him the owner of God’s people, but would only
make him a trustee who must care for them.
When God makes a plan for you, your seat
is reserved. You need not take another
man’s place. . --Africa
Bible Commentary (We should
always remember that we are God’s trustees, not owners.)
Saul received the anointing that
set him apart from all his contemporaries and symbolized the Lord’s endowment
of him to fulfil the role of prince
(Heb. nāgîd) over his people Israel. The rsv
has again followed the lxx;
the Hebrew has instead of people,
‘inheritance’, which more usually refers to the land of Canaan, but
nevertheless is also used of God’s people (e.g. 1 Kgs 8:53; 2 Kgs 21:14; Isa.
19:25). --Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
In Egypt the pharaoh was not
anointed, but he anointed his officials and his vassals. His anointing of them
established their subordinate relationship to him and indicated his protection
of them. This model would fit the idea of Saul being anointed as a vassal to
God. –
IVPBBC
These sacred unctions, then used,
pointed at the great Messiah, or anointed one, the king of the
church, and high priest of our profession, who was anointed with the oil of the
Spirit, not by measure, but without measure, and above all the priests and
princes of the Jewish church.
--Mathew Henry
It was likewise a kiss of homage
and allegiance; hereby he not only owns him to be king, but his king, and in
this sense we are commanded to kiss the Son,
Ps. 2:12.
--Mathew Henry
Again
the obvious verb, ‘rule’ (despite the rsv),
is avoided, and a verb which usually means ‘restrain’ (Heb. ʿāṣar) is used instead, indicating a special form of rule, under
the kingship of the Lord. --Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
Three
signs (2-6)
In order to assure Saul of the
Divine agency in all this, Samuel gave him three signs. -- Alfred Edershiem
Samuel gave Saul an
amazingly detailed prophecy of what whould happen on his way home (10:2-7) When this prophecy was fulfilled in every
detail (10:9-11), Saul must have been convinced that God was indeed calling and
anointing him through Samuel. When God makes a plan for you,
your seat is reserved. You need not take
another man’s place. .
--Africa Bible Commentary
The first of these
would have strengthened Saul’s confidence in God’s ability to control the
people under his authority (v. 2). The
second would have helped Saul realize that the people would accept him and make
sacrifices for him (vv. 3-4). The third would
have assured him that he did indeed possess supernatural enablement from God
(vv. 5-6). –Thomas Constable
v. 8 You shall wait seven days until I come to you and show yoe what you
should do. (nasb) The Spirit and the Word must nnever be
separated. What right have we to think
we can enjoy the Lord’s power and presence when we deny His Lordship by
trampling on His word (Luke 6:46)? --Dale Ralph Davis 1
Samuel: Looking on the Heart
·
2 Men Close to
Rachel’s Tomb / Good News about the Donkeys
(2)
There he would meet two men who
would inform him of the finding of the she-asses and of his father’s anxiety on
his account. This, as confirming Samuel’s words, would be a pledge that it was
likewise by God’s appointment he had been anointed king. --Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
Thus the first sign would convey
that his royalty was of God. -- Alfred Edershiem
·
3 Men Going up
to God / Goats, Bread, and Wine (3-4)
As
the Lord’s anointed he is a sacred person, and qualifies to eat ‘holy’ bread,
as did David (1 Sam. 21:6). --Joyce Baldwin
in TOTC
By
receiving consecrated bread, Saul is again being treated as a priest (see
comment on 9:23) and being recognized as an honored personage. --
IVPBBC
If, as seems likely, these three
men belonged to “the sons of the prophets,” the act was even more significant.
It meant homage on the part of the godly in Israel, yet such as did not
supersede nor swallow up the higher homage due to God—only two loaves out of
all the sacrificial gifts being presented to Saul. To Saul this, then, would
indicate royalty in subordination to God. -- Alfred Edershiem
·
A Group of Prophets
/ Is Saul Among the Prophets? (6, 10-13)
We should probably not interpret the reference to God changing Saul’s
heart (v. 9) to mean that at this time Saul
experienced personal salvation. This always takes place when a person believes
God’s promise, and there is no indication in the context that Saul did that at
this time. Probably it means that God gave him a different viewpoint on things
since he had received the Holy Spirit. … In Hebrew psychology the heart
was the seat of the intellect, emotions, and will. –Thomas Constable
The obvious import of this
“sign,” in combination with the others, would be: royalty not only from God and under God, but with God.
And all the more significant would it appear, that Gibeah, the home of Saul,
where all knew him and could mark the change…
-- Alfred Edershiem
But this “prophesying” must not
be considered as in all cases prediction. In the present instance it certainly
was not such, but, as that of the “elders” in the time of Moses (Num. 11:25),
an ecstatic state of a religious character, in which men unreservedly poured
forth their feelings. -- Alfred Edershiem
In the case of the prophets at
Gibeah and in that of Saul, this ecstatic state was under the influence of the
“Spirit of Elohim.” (Samuel
speaks of “the Spirit of Jehovah,” while in the actual narrative we read of the
“Spirit of Elohim.” Can the change of term have been intentional?) -- Alfred Edershiem
The
spirit of the Lord would cause Saul
to prophesy, and he would be turned into
another man (lit. ‘overturned’, ‘transformed’). These signs will be proof
that the Lord is with him, but he for his part must fulfil all that the Lord
directs him to do. In the context, this appears to be the meaning of the idiom whatever your hand finds to do. --Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
Further
evidence that Saul did not actually become a prophet lies in the stem of the
Hebrew verb here. He joined in their
prophesying means literally, “He acted like a prophet among them,” that is,
to all outward appearances he was a prophet because he was able to enter into
their activities. –Thomas
Constable
Yet before long Saul would be
opposing the prophet Samuel, hence the irony behind the remark, Is Saul also among the prophets?, which
became proverbial for an incongruous alliance.
--Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
The one the niv translates “lyre” is a ten-stringed
instrument, while the one translated “harp” is thought to have had fewer
strings. Both are hand-held with frames made of wood. The tambourine has been
identified in archaeological reliefs as the tambour, a small drum (leather
stretched over a hoop) that would not have the tinny rattle sound of modern
tambourines. The instrument translated as flute is likely a double pipe made of
either bronze or reed. --
IVPBBC
Music played an important role in
inducing a trancelike state (ecstasy) that was seen as making one receptive to
a divine message. --
IVPBBC
Kings in the ancient Near East
were often considered to have prophetic gifts. This was especially true in
Egypt, where the pharaoh was the representative of the gods and spoke for them.
Civil leadership in Israel up to this time has also often combined authority
for ruling with prophetic activity (Moses, Deborah, Samuel). – IVPBBC
And is He limited? Cannot he make
Saul a prophet, as well as any of them, if he please?”
… --Mathew Henry
-----------------------------------------------
In light of all this secrecy it
is interesting to observe that the verb mᾱşᾱ’,
(to find) occurs twelve times in our section.
Saul and his servant did not find the asses (9:4, twice); the servant
“found” the prophet’s fee (9:8), Saul and his servant find (i.e., meet) girls
going out of town to draw water (9:11), sho urge them to hurry so that they can
find (=meet) the seer(9:13, twice).
Smuel assures Saul that the asses have been found (9:20), as do the two
men Sal “finds” near Rachel’s grave (10:2; hence twice). Three men will find )meet) Saul near the oak
of Tabor (10:3). With God’s power upon him
Saul will “find” opportunities, presumably to put down Israel’s enemies
(10&). Then the word for uncle:
Samuel told us the asses had been found (10:16).
Now mᾱşᾱ’ is a rather common verb, so I do not want to press this
point. But it does strike me as ironic
to see the repeated us of this verb in a story about a secret. … Yahweh is
actively at work but few see what it is he is doing. --Dale Ralph Davis 1
Samuel: Looking on the Heart
------------------------------------------------
APPLICATION: Though the advancement of Saul would be the
deposing of Samuel, yet that good prophet was so far from envying him, or
bearing him any ill-will for it…
--Mathew Henry
CLIMAX
10:17-24
Israel
Presents themselves to Receive a King(17-19)
Samuel takes as his text words of
the Lord that echo the first words of Decalogue (Exod. 20:2; Deut. 5:6), the
foundation for Israel’s covenant commitment.
--Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
1. He shows them
(v. 18) how happy they had been under the divine government; Could the
mightiest man of valour do that for them which the Almighty God had done? –Mathew Henry
2.
He likewise shows them (v. 19) what an affront they had put upon God Those that can live better by sense than by
faith, that stay themselves upon an arm of flesh rather than upon the almighty
arm, forsake a fountain of living waters for broken cisterns. –Mathew Henry
The
assembly at Mizpah was a special, formal occasion for selecting or discerning
who was to be king over Israel. It was a
historic moment. Why did Samuel kick it
off on such a negative note? Why sour
the hour? ...sometimes the truth must
come before propriety. --Dale Ralph Davis 1
Samuel: Looking on the Heart
Lot’s Cast for Saul
(20-23)
The lot (v. 20) showed all Israel
that Saul was God’s choice, not Samuel’s (cf. Josh.
7:14-18). --Thomas Constable
It
is interesting to see the whole procedure of the lots being cast to discern
among all the tribes, families, and individual to see who would be king when
Samuel had already anointed Saul king earlier.
–Phil Martin
“If
Saul had been an ambitious person, he would have been at the center of
activity; and, even if he had been only an average person, he would at least
have been available on the fringes of the crowd. Saul, however, had hidden
himself, so that he would not be found.” --Wood, Israel’s United . . ., p. 81.
When the tribe
of Benjamin was taken, they might easily foresee that they were setting up a
family that would soon be put down again; for dying Jacob had, by the spirit of
prophecy, entailed the dominion upon Judah. Judah is the tribe that must rule as a lion; Benjamin shall only ravin as a wolf, Gen. 49:10, 27. –Mathew Henry
King Proclaimed
(24)
Undoubtedly the
scroll included the Mosaic regulations for kingship found in Deuteronomy
17:14–17. Interestingly valiant men
were immediately attracted to Saul in
Gibeah (see comments on 1 Sam. 9:1: Though a son of Kish, a man of
some influence (1 Sam. 9:1), Saul had little to commend him to the high
position of king except his physical
impressiveness (9:2).).[1]
There is nothing in this chapter
that actually depicts Saul as being crowned; he is merely acclaimed as the one
that has been selected (see comment on 11:15).
– IVPBBC
“Saul’s rise to
kingship over Israel took place in three distinct stages: He was (1) anointed
by Samuel (9:1—10:16), (2) chosen by lot (10:17-27), and (3) confirmed by public acclamation (11:1-15). —Youngblood p.623
APPLICATION:
Throughout these verses Saul behaved in
an exemplary fashion. However notice that the writer made no reference to his
regard for God or God’s Word. –Thomas Constable
RESOLUTION
10:25-27
Samuel
Sends Them Home (25-26a)
Two
Responses / Valiant and Worthless Men
(26b-27)
It may be to Saul’s credit that
he turned a deaf ear, but the reader feels unsure how this new king is going to
deal with the opposition, and pioneer a style of kingship in accord with
Samuel’s charter. As yet he still has to prove in action that he has what it
takes to lead Israel into battle, and an opportunity to do so quickly presents
itself. --Joyce Baldwin in TOTC
Thus differently are men affected
to our exalted Redeemer.
There is a remnant that submit to him, rejoice in him, bring him presents, and follow him wherever he goes…
But there are others who despise him, who ask, How shall this man save us? –Mathew Henry
There is a remnant that submit to him, rejoice in him, bring him presents, and follow him wherever he goes…
But there are others who despise him, who ask, How shall this man save us? –Mathew Henry
BIG IDEA/APPLICATION:
Indeed
Jesus so much as said that it was his mission to bring division (see Luke 12:51
in context). And there were those in
Esrael who said, “How can this fellow save us?”
“Isn’t this fellow Jesus, the son of Joseph – we know his father
andmother; how does he now say ‘I have come down from heaven’?” (John
6:42). What is so special about
him? --Dale Ralph
Davis 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart
Yet
God gave them a man with great personal strengths: wisdom, humility,
sensitivity, physical attractiveness, and wealth. His gift of Saul was a good
gift, as are all God’s gifts to His people (Luke 11:9-13).
God did not give Israel a time bomb just waiting to explode. Saul failed
because of the choices he made, not because he lacked the qualities necessary
to succeed. --Thomas
Constable
-------------------------------------
Convocation, 17
Accusation, 18-19
Selection,
20-21b
Frustration,
21c
Revelation,
22
Acclamation,
24
Discovery,
24
Direction, 25a
Dismissal, 25b-27
--Dale
Ralph Davis 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart
-------------------------------------
av English Authorized
(King James) Version, 1611.
rsv American Revised Standard
Version: Old Testament, 1952; New Testament, 21971.
lxx The Septuagint
(pre-Christian Greek version of the Old Testament).
av English Authorized (King
James) Version, 1611.
niv New International Version,
1978.
rsv American Revised Standard
Version: Old Testament, 1952; New Testament, 21971.
lxx The Septuagint
(pre-Christian Greek version of the Old Testament).
rsv American Revised
Standard Version: Old Testament, 1952; New Testament, 21971.
[1]
Eugene H. Merrill, “1 Samuel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,
ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985),
440–442.
