1 - 27 Samuel Meets SaulSaul was the son of Kish, a Benjaminite. He was the most handsome man in Israel (and tall!). Kish lost all of his asses, so he said to Saul, "Take a servant and find the asses." They traveled far without luck and Saul began to think about going back. The servant knew a man of God in Zuph who they should ask for advice. Saul wondered what they should bring the man. The servant had a fourth of a shekel of silver to give him.
As they arrived toward the city, they met some young maidens. He asked them if there was a seer. They advised that they find him before he went to the high place to eat. They went in and saw him going toward the high place to eat.
The day before Saul came, the Lord told Samuel that he would meet a man from the land of Benjamin and to anoint him prince over Israel. When Samuel saw Saul he knew who he was. He told Saul that he was to eat with him today and tomorrow he would tell him everything. As for the asses, they have been found. Saul was worried because he was a Benjaminite (the least house of Israel), but Samuel took Saul in, placed him at the head of the table. After dinner a bed was given to him on the room. The next day, Samuel said, "Tell the servant to pass on before us . . . and then I will make known to you the word of God."
2 comments:
You never know when God will call you to do something. One day you're looking for donkeys, the next your the guest of honor at the temple. It's always amazing to see God's plan working.
Notes say that Saul is introduced as a donkey wrangler which (intentionally or not) symbolizes his future as leader of the stubborn nation.
It was common to offer a gift to a "seer". Whether Samuel accepted the gife and whether he was dependent on gifts for a livelihood isn't clear. Notes indicate that false prophets would adjust their predictions according to the gift.
"high place" Notes indicate that a Canaanite custom was practiced to build local altars on hills in each town. The central place of worship (Tabernacle) wasn't functional since the Ark wasn't there.
Saul was from the smallest tribe and clan. If we have learned ANYTHING from our Bible study it's that God uses the humblest servants to do His will. Notes say that God uses the "powerless to promote" His kingdom. This proves that His kingdom isn't of this world. Benjamin was the last of Jacob's sons. This tribe had lost many people during the times of the judges.
Samuel gave Saul the leg of the sacrifice for dinner. This was reserved for the consecrated priest. This anticipates his anointment as king.
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