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Chapter Nine (ESV)

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?”

REFLECTION:

1. Saul’s origin was among the humblest in Israel. Benjamin was the last of Jacob’s sons, and the tribe had been greatly reduced in the time of judges (Jdg 20:46-48). He was obviously surprised by Samuel’s greeting. And his self-deprecating words to Samuel professed his unworthiness and humility. This is appropriate and seems genuine.
2. In the eyes of the people of Israel, Saul was the ideal king—tall and handsome (v.2)—someone who could match the kings of their neighbouring nations. However, inside Saul was not so good looking. During his rule, he kept swaying between his own feelings and commitment to God. He based his actions on his own interest. Later on when he encountered challenges, he didn’t want to face it, rather he made excuses and blamed others. Even though he had God’s calling, had mission in life, he never stopped struggling. He didn’t commit himself totally to God and never truly enjoyed God’s love. Therefore, he lived a life of discontent, jealousy, uncertainty, pride, deceit. And he never became a king after God’s heart.

PRAYER:

Dear God, I ask that You grant me faith in You, and not in myself, but to commit myself wholly to You for You “chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; and chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are: that no flesh should boast before God.”(Ref. 1 Cor 1:27-29 WEB)