Bible Verse Synopsis 5-24-25
1st Samuel 9
We are introduced to Saul and told that he was a big guy. Both tall and broad and I would assume muscular. Saul is a man chosen by the flesh. That is not what we are called to follow, yet Israel desired this. Just because someone is big does not mean they are to be followed and trusted. They are to be big in spirit, not just big in stature. Who do you follow that is big in spirit?
Saul and a servant are sent after lost donkeys. They wander from place to place looking for his father’s donkeys. Verse 4 ends with “But they found them not.” Saul wanted to give up the search to not worry his father. The servant man with him tells him about Samuel. Saul seems to know little about the Prophet, let alone where we he was. Saul’s first instinct is to get something for Samuel upon their visit. “But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man?” - Verse 7. Saul thinks that he has to buy the favor of Samuel. A man of God does not need his favor purchased. Our redemption is given and does not require payment from us but our repentance. Christ paid the cost for us! Are you like Saul trying to pay for your Salvation? Or are you inspired by Christ and work for Him and to give Him the Glory?
The servant has some silver to offer the Prophet and then went to seek Samuel. Some maidens they had seen fetching water directed Saul and the servant to where Samuel was and that they needed to make haste before Samuel went up to the high place. The maidens are representative of us. We are supposed to show the way to world, just as the maidens showed the way to Saul. The Lord can use anyone to be part of His plan. Even a maiden and even you! Have you felt the call to show others the way of Christ?
The Lord spoke to Samuel the day before Saul was to arrive and told him how to treat Saul. Verse 16 - “and you shall anoint him to be captain over My people Israel, that he may save My people out of the hand of the Philistines” Saul is the one the people had asked for. In Verse 17, Samuel sees Saul for the first time and the Lord tells Samuel that this is the one. There can be no mistake when the Lord has the wheel. Samuel had given the Lord credence over this issue and because of that, the Lord was able to work through Samuel. Is the Lord able to work through you?
In Verse 18, we get another view into Saul’s ignorance. Saul does not know Samuel is the Prophet when he sees him and asks Samuel “Tell me, I pray you, where the Seer’s house is.” This cannot be a good omen. This man does not know God if he does not know his Prophet. There’s also a nice corollary here between Saul and ourselves. How easily blinded are we that we don’t recognize God and His works around us as Saul fails to see in Samuel. Where in our lives are we not seeing God?
Samuel directs Saul up to the High Place with him to eat there together and “will tell you all that is in your heart” - Verse 19. Samuel continues to address Saul and tells him not to worry about the donkeys. All of Israel wants you, even Samuel. Fallen into the path of the work of flesh. We would do well to avoid this. The flesh is temporary and should be treated as such; the spirit is eternal. Saul is confused as to why they desire Him. Verse 21 - “wherefore then speak you so to me?” He does not understand what is going on. Samuel had prepared for this in many ways. He set aside a portion of the offering that was made the day before verses 22-25 tell us that Samuel had been preparing since the Lord had talked with Him. Samuel and Saul spend the next day or 2 together and commune together as well. Samuel bids the servant to go on ahead of them, but asks Saul to hold still a while, “that I may show you the Word of God.” - Verse 27. Samuel will try to show Saul the way. I have a feeling it will fail. Do you stop your life to be with God as Samuel stopped Saul? The stopping here is just as important and the teaching. Without coming to a rest, our minds will not focus on Him. Find your rest and seek the Lord where He is. Are you ready to sit and seek?