1 Samuel 9

SECTION 1. The Birth, Rise, Prophetic Ministry And Judgeship of Samuel (1-12).

This first section of the book covers the life of Samuel from his birth to the setting up of Saul as king in response to the people’s request. The first three chapters deal with the birth and spiritual growth of Samuel. This is then followed in chapter 4 by the Philistine invasion in which the Ark of YHWH of hosts is lost to Israel, something which takes place while Samuel is still a youth. That loss indicates YHWH’s demonstration of the fact that He no longer sees Himself as king over an Israel that has forsaken Him. However, He then goes on to demonstrate His authority over the gods of the Philistines by bringing disaster on them, so that His Ark is restored to Israel by the Philistines, who also pay Him generous tribute. The Ark is then placed with due honour (after a previous unfortunate incident) in the house of Abinadab where it will remain for many years. It is a recognised symbol that YHWH is still present as King over His people, and will therefore, once they turn back to Him, act on their behalf through His appointed deliverers.

This will firstly be through Samuel in this section, then through Saul before he is finally rejected, in the next section, and then through the young David in the final section, until he is outlawed and then exiled as a result of Saul’s activities. As a result of his exile there will be a lull, and the Philistines triumph. But in the second part of the book David will become the Spirit inspired king, the Philistines will be defeated, and then the Ark will be restored for public worship, having been ‘purified’ by its period spent in the house of Abinadab. The Kingship of YHWH has triumphed.

C). The Judgeship of Samuel At The End Of Which The People Seek And Are Granted A Human King (7:15-12:25).

In this subsection from 7:15-12:25 the writer describes the desire of the people for a king and the way in which that king is appointed. Such an appointment would inevitably be a tricky one in Israel, for Israel was comprised of a number of semi-independent tribes, each of which was jealous for its own position, with Judah and Ephraim, the two largest, being especially protective about their rights. And yet someone had to be found who once appointed would have the support of them all. Furthermore, on top of this, Samuel would want to ensure that whoever was appointed was YHWH’s choice.

Samuel clearly recognised the dangers and therefore waited on YHWH’s guidance, and it is the reconciling of these different problems that explains the slow process towards the appointment of the king, a process which in fact went as follows:

1). Samuel waits and prays for YHWH to indicate the right man for the position. When YHWH brings that man to him he must have been relieved to discover that the man was a Benjaminite. They were only a small tribe (which would serve to prevent tribal jealousy among the larger tribes) and were famed for their warlike ability. So he first interviews him, and then secretly anoints him with oil as YHWH’s chosen appointee. The man’s name is Saul. This satisfies Samuel that he has found the right man (1 Samuel 9:1 to 1 Samuel 10:1).

2). He subsequently arranges for Saul to prophesy among the prophets indicating both to him and to others his suitability as a man of God, and that he is acceptable YHWH. This will serve to satisfy the righteous in Israel, and the prophets themselves, who seemingly had an important part to play in the running of affairs. They too are now satisfied that this is their man (1 Samuel 10:5-13).

3). The next step is to have him accepted in the eyes of popular opinion. So Samuel arranges for the assembly of the tribes of Israel to be called together and in view of the fact that there was no precedent for choosing a king, choice is then made by sacred lot in the sight of all. As expected by Samuel the lot falls on Saul. This method of choice by sacred lot was an accepted one in Israel and was seen as revealing the mind of YHWH. We can compare its use under different circumstances in Joshua 7:16-18. In view of the fact that the choice by sacred lot was seen as publicly revealing the mind of YHWH, was carried out before their eyes, and was accepted as a standard way of making such decisions in Israel, it would be enough to satisfy the people that Saul was their man. Thus this would satisfy the common people (1 Samuel 10:17-24).

However, there was inevitably some dissension, from some ‘worthless men’ who did not see how this upstart from a small tribe could ‘save Israel’. Nevertheless the vast majority were with Saul, and preparations would begin for having him officially enthroned and acclaimed in accordance with practise elsewhere.

4). Meanwhile an Ammonite invasion across the Jordan in Transjordan provides an opportunity for Saul to prove his suitability by gaining a victory over the invading Ammonites. This quells the dissension and makes him acceptable to all (1 Samuel 11:1-13).

5). Having been fully established as the right candidate Saul is then acclaimed as king at Gilgal before YHWH (1 Samuel 11:14-15).

6). Samuel resigns his judgeship and YHWH expresses His anger at the people’s decision with a storm at harvest time (1 Samuel 12:1-25).

By these means the acceptability of Saul as king was established, both among the prophets and throughout all the tribes. This would ensure that there would only be minimal dissension in the future, because Saul was now seen as ‘YHWH’s anointed’. All recognised that Samuel had selected him, that YHWH was pleased with him, that the lot had confirmed his acceptability to God, that he had proved himself a suitable war-leader (a most necessary qualification in those days), and that he had been finally and officially crowned and acclaimed.

The whole subsection may be analysed as follows:

a Samuel judges Israel faithfully and well (1 Samuel 7:15-17).

b Samuel’s sons prove unworthy and the people call for a King (1 Samuel 8:1-6).

c The manner of the King that they will receive (1 Samuel 8:7-22).

d Saul is brought to Samuel by God and is revealed and greeted by him as the new king (1 Samuel 9:1-21).

e Saul is feasted and then secretly anointed, and learns that the asses have been found (1 Samuel 9:22 to 1 Samuel 10:2).

f The signs of Saul’s acceptance and his coming enduing with the Spirit of YHWH (1 Samuel 10:3-7).

g Saul is to go to Gilgal and wait seven days for Samuel to come in order to offer offerings and sacrifices and to show him what he is to do (1 Samuel 10:8).

f The promised signs are fulfilled and the Spirit of YHWH comes on Saul (1 Samuel 10:9-13).

e Saul returns to his uncle and informs him that Samuel had told him that the asses had been found, but maintains the secret of the kingship (10:14-16).

d Saul is brought before the people, revealed as their king by lot and greeted by them as the king (1 Samuel 10:17-24).

c Samuel records ‘the manner of the kingship’ and writes it in a book (1 Samuel 10:25-27).

b YHWH delivers His people from the Ammonites through Saul and the kingship is finally confirmed at Gilgal (1 Samuel 11:1-15).

a Samuel hands back the judgeship to the people and charges the people to be faithful to YHWH (1 Samuel 12:1-25).

Chapter 9.

Saul Is Brought To Samuel By God And Is revealed And Greeted By Him As The New King (1 Samuel 9:1-21 ).

We are not told how long after the previous chapter this incident occurs, but it was clearly long enough for the Philistines to have again invaded the land and to have established a garrison there (1 Samuel 10:5). They had probably heard of what they saw as a rift between the people and the ageing Samuel whom they knew to have been aided by the dreaded YHWH, and saw it as their opportunity to regain lost ground.

In view of the attitude of the people towards YHWH, the hand of YHWH (1 Samuel 7:13) had clearly been withdrawn. YHWH was no longer ‘with them’. They had wanted a king. They would now have to depend on their king. It would be up to him to keep them safe.

The author, however, takes great care to make clear to us that He has not forsaken them altogether. Saul is to be appointed under the express guidance of YHWH, and it is specifically with defence against a recent incursion by the Philistines in mind (1 Samuel 9:16). It is because in spite of their attitude He has heard their cry. And the purpose of the detailed introduction is in order to indicate what a fine ‘young man’ God’s appointee is. Outwardly at least Saul is an ideal choice.

The seeking of missing animals was always an arduous task, but Saul is seen to have set about it willingly, and to have pursued the matter to the end. He reveals that he cares for his father’s asses. We can compare with this David’s concern for his sheep in the matter of the lion and bear (1 Samuel 17:34). Both candidates were thus seen to be dedicated carers of their animals, and as such, good candidates for kingship. Furthermore he is revealed as having consideration for his father’s feelings. He is clearly a man of integrity and honour.

From the subsequent history we are probably intended to gather that YHWH’s original purpose had been to introduce kingship in David. But the disobedience of the Israelites had forestalled His plan. This helps to explain why He provided them with Saul, a man who was outwardly a good choice, but was finally a disaster. Certainly outwardly they could have had no complaint. Humanly speaking at least the choice was a good one, and to begin with Saul unquestionably behaved in an exemplary fashion and was a great success (1 Samuel 14:47-48). But as with the people the problem would finally lay with his disobedience. They had wanted a king like all the nations, and that was precisely what they got. He had all the qualities, both good and bad, that such a king would have. Thus both Saul and the people are to be allowed to suffer together as a consequence of their joint disobedience, while at the same time the people are learning a lesson about what having a bad king means, and David is being prepared for his future role as God’s chosen king. In Saul God is bringing together all the strands of justice and mercy.

If we ask why God gave them a man like Saul who would become what he became we have to remember that it was not within a plan of His choosing. The people had rejected His methods. Now He had to provide for them from the material that was available. For what Saul became was not inevitable. It resulted from the pathway that he chose to follow.

So we should note that in both cases each chose their own path. In neither case did YHWH interfere to make things go the way that they did. He did not have to. He knew that He could trust the human heart to do that for Him. Certainly, however, we are to see in it that YHWH was sovereign over all, and that He had a lesson for His people to learn, and that lesson was that without God even the one who seemed most outwardly suitable would let them down in the end. They should have been patient and have waited for YHWH to act.

Analysis.

a Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjaminite, a mighty warrior (man of valour or wealth) (1 Samuel 9:1).

b And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a young man and well-fashioned (goodly), and there was not among the children of Israel a sturdier (goodlier) person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people (1 Samuel 9:2).

c And the asses of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, “Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go seek the asses.” And he passed through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they found them not, then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they were not, and he passed through the land of the Benjaminites, but they found them not. When they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, “Come, and let us return, lest my father leave off caring for the asses, and be anxious for us” (1 Samuel 9:3-5).

d And he said unto him, “Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man who is held in honour, all that he says always comes about. Now let us go there, there. Perhaps he can give us information concerning the journey on which we go.” Then Saul said to his servant, “But, look, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. what have we got?” And the servant answered Saul again, and said, “See, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us the way that we should take.” (Previously in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he said, “Come, and let us go to the seer,” for he who is now called a Prophet was previously called a Seer). Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said. Come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was (1 Samuel 9:6-10).

e As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young unmarried women going out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?” And they answered them, and said, “He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he is today come into the city, for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place. As soon as you are come into the city, you will immediately find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat, for the people will not eat until he come, because he blesses the sacrifice. Afterwards those who are bidden eat. Now therefore get yourselves up there, for at this time you will find him.” And they went up to the city, and as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out towards them, to go up to the high place (1 Samuel 9:11-14).

f Now YHWH had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin” (1 Samuel 9:15).

g “And you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines, for I have looked on my people, because their cry is come to me” (1 Samuel 9:16).

f And when Samuel saw Saul, “YHWH said to him, “Look, the man of whom I spoke to you! this same will have authority over my people” (1 Samuel 9:17).

e Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, “Tell me, I pray you, where the seer’s house is” (1 Samuel 9:18)

d And Samuel answered Saul, and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you will eat with me today, and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart” (1 Samuel 9:19).

c “And as for your asses which were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they are found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you, and for all your father’s house?” (1 Samuel 9:20).

b And Saul answered and said, “Am not I a Benjaminite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?” (1 Samuel 9:21 a).

a “And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?” (1 Samuel 9:21 b).

Note that in ‘a’ we are given Saul’s family tree and in the parallel Saul emphasises its unimportance (with typical Near Eastern humility). In ‘b’ Saul is the son of a Benjaminite and is tallest among Israelites, and in the parallel he argues that the tribe of Benjamin is the smallest in Israel. In ‘c’ the asses are lost and Saul goes to seek them, and in the parallel the asses are found. In ‘d’ they venture to approach the seer, and in the parallel they discover the seer. In ‘e’ they enquire after the seer and are told that they will find him as soon as they enter the city, and in the parallel they enquire after the seer as soon as they are in the city and discover that they have found him. In ‘f’ YHWH had said that on the morrow he would send a man to Samuel, and in the parallel says, ‘This is the man’. Centrally in ‘g’ the man is to be anointed as war-leader over Israel to save them from the Philistines because He has heard His people’s cry.