Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”
“I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart.
As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?” (1 Samuel 9:18-20).
I’ve learned a lot from reading Henry Blackaby’s work. One of the key ideas I’ve taken away is the concept of an appointment. It’s crucial to understand what God has appointed us to do.
We can’t truly grasp our life’s worth until we know what God envisions for us. As Saul’s story unfolds, he discovers his purpose in life, which goes far beyond just finding a lost donkey.
Saul’s response to Samuel’s prophecy was much like Moses’ reaction to God at the burning bush.
Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?” (1 Samuel 9:21).
At a celebration dinner, Saul was given a special seat next to Samuel and was treated like royalty. After the meal and a night’s sleep, Samuel had an important message for the young man who had been searching for a donkey.
As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and the servant did so—“but you stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.”
Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over his inheritance?” (1 Samuel 9:27-10:1).
Saul might have doubted if he was meant to be Israel’s first king. Samuel gave him three signs to convince him that God had chosen him for this role.
(1) The first sign was men telling him that his father had stopped worrying about the donkeys and was now concerned about him.
(2) The second sign involved meeting men on their way to worship at Bethel. One would carry three goats, another loaves of bread, and another wine. They would greet him and offer him loaves of bread, which he should accept.
(3) The third sign would be the clearest of all. He would meet a group of prophets, and the Holy Spirit would come upon him. He would then prophesy just like those prophets.
The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person (1 Samuel 10:6).
These prophets were part of a movement that balanced the potential tyranny of the monarchy. Their main activity was usually seen as speaking in ecstatic phrases or similar expressions.
Reflections
There are several interesting parts to this part of Saul’s story. As we think about his call, let’s also think about ours.
- What is God’s call for us?
- Do we know what he wants us to do?
- What is his purpose for us?
Saul thought he was just looking for a donkey, but God had much bigger plans for him.
Let’s turn to the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came upon Saul and the other prophets in a very clear way. In our lives, the work of God’s Spirit might be more subtle, but it is just as real.
Here’s a truth: God gives us His Spirit to be with us, to live in us, to show us His plan for our lives, and to give us the power to follow it.
What are we waiting for? Let’s make sure to cooperate fully with every aspect of the Holy Spirit.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 