1 Samuel 9:1-21 All Things Happen for a Good Purpose

1 Samuel 9:1-21

There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. 2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome 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 young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys… but they did not find them. And Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us go back, lest my father cease to care about the donkeys and become anxious about us.” 6 But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go… So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place. 15 Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: 16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.” 17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.” 18 Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Tell me where is the house of the seer?” 19 Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. 20 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father’s house?” 21 Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way.

Background

God proceed to appoint a king for Israel according to what they desire in a king. God uses his wisdom and power to orchestrate the meeting between Samuel and Saul. What came out of an unfortunate event was a meeting that changed Saul’s life forever. Hence, if we would listen to God’s instructions and obey Him, we would not have to fear any circumstances.

Observation

There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he – The people insisted on having a human king to rule over them instead of God. God decided to let the people have their way by appointing a king according to the image of what they desired in a king. Hence, God chose a man who is tall and handsome in appearance as what they desired. God did not appoint a king who is after God’s heart because, that is not what the people wanted; they wanted the will of man to be done, but not God’s.

Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel – God somehow orchestrated the entire event that resulted in a chanced but fateful encounter between Saul and Samuel. Either the loss of the donkeys was divinely orchestrated or God took occasion of the lost donkeys to fulfill His purposes. But to have the servant suggests meeting the Seer and to have the women direct them to Samuel was a sophisticated operation that is nothing less than divine. God is able to work all things and circumstances according to His plans so that He may prosper His people.

Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people – This expression conveys God’s optimism and hope that this new regime might still work out. Despite the odds that were stacked against them, God is still wildly optimistic concerning this new king. It came across as if God has totally forgotten about Israel’s rebellion and He looked with excitement at the prospect of a new autonomous Israel. This speaks of God’s enduring love and patience, and in spite of having given up His ideals concerning Israel; He made the best out of the present situation.

And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father’s house? – The New Living Translation is: And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes. Samuel tells Saul that Israel would soon be looking to him to lead the nation and protect them from the enemies and Saul would be lifted to a position of prominence within Israel.

Truth

1. This is love: Even though man rejects God and His will, God continues to be involved in man’s life hoping to turn him back to Himself. He continues to keep His eyes on man even though he goes astray. God could have washed His hands off Israel and leave them to their devices. But still, God remained intimately involved by appointing their new king. However, God explicitly says that He would not intervene should their king abuse them and their nation’s resources. If their king rules in an unjust way and leads the people after evil, God will discipline the whole nation because a human king is what they wanted. For the king’s every action has a direct and imminent impact on the people’s lives.

Therefore, we must take note that certain decisions we make will in no uncertain terms permanently alter our life’s directions. In decisions pertaining to the election of a nation’s government, or when you are thinking about migrating to a different country, decisions concerning marriage have far-reaching and wide-ranging effects. And many of such decisions carry irreversible consequences. Hence, the citizens of any nation must vote wisely and not out of anger or personal gain. Do not migrate because of practical considerations, because economy and policies may change very quickly and God’s judgment will come upon immoral nations. Nevertheless, God will not forsake His people, but will bring the best out of their current circumstance despite their disobedience and wayward decisions.

2. If we would listen to God’s instructions and walk carefully, we will not fear dire circumstances trusting that things will eventually work out for good. Proverbs 3:5,6 says,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

The power and wisdom of God is revealed in that although He does not directly control the will of man, but yet He is able to control and predestine future events. God is able to align every detail in our lives from the start of the day to the end so that we will be fruitful and successful in all our endeavors. Some seemingly unfortunate events may carry a special and divine purpose. The lost of Kish’s donkeys may seemed unfortunate, their wanderings in search of the donkeys may seem purposeless, but they were perfectly timed for the fateful encounter with Samuel. Hence, we need to try to see God’s purpose in every situation, and not to be led by our immediate interpretation of the events.

3. God could choose any person He desires for His purpose regardless of their background and heritage. Man works by consensus, but God works by appointing the person of His choice and raise them up to prominence. God appointed Saul as king even though his family is insignificant in the eyes of the nation. Hence, believers must not perceive themselves according to how others think of them. Instead, we should see ourselves according to God’s truth and ordination for our lives.

Application

1. Do you sometimes choose to forsake those who did not listen to your advice? We take on either a you listen to me, or I forsake you kind of attitude. Even though the Israelites rejected God’s rule in preference for a human king, God remains faithful to them. Continue to remain close to those who stray from God’s path and pray that their spirit may be filled with God’s truth.
2. Do you have a tendency to worry over problems that have no solutions? Perhaps, these circumstances may be opportunities to discover God’s plans and encounter His miracle.
3. Do you some times see yourself through the eyes of public opinion? Hence, you feel good only when others speak about you favorably. The bible says that God has a specific calling for everyone and His days are ordained for him:

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written. The days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. Psalm 139:16

Hence, we must be confident in any situation knowing that God will help us overcome all circumstances.

Dear Lord, thank you for not forsaking me even in my disobedience. Help me to be faithful to those who have strayed from their path. In all circumstances, I believe you have ordained my future for greatness. Strengthen me to walk in obedience to your truth. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.