B. Samuel and Saul Meet
1. (1 Sam 9:15-17) God tells Samuel that Saul is the man who will be king
Now a day before Saul's coming, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel saying, "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have regarded My people, because their cry had come to Me." When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you? This one shall rule over my people."
The LORD had revealed this to Samuel: Literally, the Hebrew reads, "Had uncovered Samuel's ear". This is a figure of speech said to be derived from the practice of removing the hair or a corner of the turban from another's ear in order to whisper a secret into it. The same idiom is used in Ruth 4:4, "So I thought to inform you, saying, 'Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.' And he said, 'I will redeem it.'"
About this time tomorrow: God gave the prophet Samuel specific details regarding future events. Samuel received this guidance and looked for the fulfillment of God's words to confirm His choice for a king. Moreover, Samuel was very wise in that he did not manipulate circumstances to make what God had said come true. Samuel received God's word and patiently waited for the LORD to fulfill His prophecy.
I will send you: Even though Israel had rejected the LORD God as their king (1 Samuel 8:7), God was still on the throne. God did not bequeath His ultimate authority because Israel had asked Him to. Instead, God would give Israel a king, not a perfect king to lead Israel to peace and prosperity, but a king which fulfilled Israel's flawed ideals of what their king should be.
He shall deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines: This sentence maybe confusing for we are told in 1 Samuel 7 that the Philistines had been defeated. . Although Samuel had decreased the yoke of the Philistines by his prayerful victory at Mizpeh; yet, the Philistine power by no means had completely been broken (See 1 Samuel chapter 7). Many times in the historical books of the Bible, distant and ultimate results of a historical event are included in the account of it. In 1 Samuel 7:13 it reads, "So the Philistines were subdued and they did not come anymore within the border of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel." So we must conclude that the victory at Mizpeh did not fully defeat the Philistines. But rather, Saul's wars against the Philistines are included in the summary of events of 1 Samuel 7:13. Samuel's life ended near the end of Saul's reign as king.
Furthermore, Saul's office was essentially a military commander. This was in direct fulfillment of Israel's request for a king "that we also may be like all nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battle" (1 Samuel 8:20). So although the triumphal victory God gave Israel over the Philistines occurred in 1 Samuel chapter 7, Saul continued to fight a much weakened Philistine army until their ultimate defeat came during King David's reign.
Because their cry had come to Me: Although God would not hear Israel's cry to relieve them from the oppression of their kings ("Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day" 1 Samuel 8:18); yet God was so gracious as to make Israel's kings instruments of deliverance from the oppression of their invading neighbors.
When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him: The literal Hebrew translates as "the LORD answered him". When Samuel saw Saul, he perhaps wondered to himself if this was the man of God's prophecy. God answered the question posed by Samuel's heart with an affirmation.
This one shall rule over My people: The Hebrew phrasing here is a bit odd. The word translated as "rule over" is better rendered as coerce and restrain. Saul would rule Israel sternly and rigidly, with absolute power.
2. (1 Sam 9:18-21) Samuel and Saul meet
Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, "Please tell me where the seer's house is." Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is on your mind. As for your donkeys which were lost three days ago, do not set your mind of 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 household?' Saul replied, "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin Why then do you speak to me in this way?"
In the gate: The preposition used here is translated "into the city" in verse 14. Some commentators suppose that they have found a contradiction between verse 14 and verse 18. However, it must be remembered that prepositions constantly lose their original meaning when translated. The literal translation from Hebrew means "in the middle", but it commonly means simply "within". So a better translation of verse 18 would be, "Saul and his servant were just going within the city when they met Samuel coming out."
Go up before me to the high place: Samuel's desire to have young Saul precede him to the place of public sacrifice was a sign of honor. Samuel, being a highly respected prophet and judge, granting this special privilege would have been a huge honor for Saul. Moreover, the wording "go up before me" is in the singular. Samuel addresses this special mark of honor to Saul alone and does not include Saul's servant. We have a similar custom in our society. At dinners and other special occasion meals, it is always a high honor to precede someone famous and introduce them to the audience.
For you shall eat with me today: The Hebrew switches here back to the plural. Both Saul and his servant were to eat the special meal, but only Saul was to precede Samuel to the feast. The servant would have less honor shown to him by walking behind Samuel.
And tell you all that is on your mind: Again, the Hebrew switches back to the singular. This seems to be a remark of comfort by Samuel. Saul was probably very overwhelmed with the whole situation. Here, Saul and his servant had simply wanted to inquire with the seer about the lost donkeys. In an instant, Saul's world is flipped upside down. He is now being told he is to be the guest of honor and is invited to a lavish banquet. Samuel comforts Saul by stating he will tell Saul everything that he wants to know.
And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel?: These words are intended to indicate to Saul, albeit in an obscure manner, that the supreme power of Israel would be his. Samuel hints at Saul's destiny. All Israel desired a king, and Saul would be the answer to the desire. Saul would have probably understood the meaning of these words to mean he was chosen to be the king. Moreover, Saul is not to trouble himself about the donkeys. Although the donkeys were a valuable piece of property, Saul was about to become king, to whom would belong everything that was the best and most precious. A more modern paraphrase of this sentence would be: "Why care about the donkeys? They are found. And even if they were lost, what does it matter? Is not the best that Israel has to offer at your service?"
Of the smallest tribe of Israel: This was a well known fact about the tribe of Benjamin. It was in fact very small. During the time the tribes of Israel were numbered in the wilderness, only the tribe of Manasseh was smaller than Benjamin. Then, in Judges chapter 20, all but 600 men were killed after a civil war broke out between Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. After the decimation of the tribe of Benjamin, they never recovered. They were scarcely a tribe and often were thought of as a remnant of a tribe. When the division occurred dividing Israel into a northern and southern kingdom, the tribe of Benjamin was in-grafted into Judah. The tribe of Benjamin in a certain sense lost their identity and together with Judah were often counted as one tribe.
Why then do you speak to me in this way?: This was a humble and reverent response by Saul. Perhaps Saul's humility was one reason God chose Saul to be king. Unfortunately, during his time as king, his humble spirit left him and pride and jealously filled his soul.
3. (1 Sam 9:22-24) Samuel makes certain that Saul received the seat and portion of honor at the feast.
Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty men. Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, 'Set it aside.'" Then the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Here is what has been reserved! Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time, since I said I have invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
Then Samuel took Saul: Samuel gives Saul no answer to his question, in which Saul expressed his bewilderment that he, being one of such insignificance, should be chosen for such a high position. Instead, it appears Saul's question was ignored, and the group of three set out for the feast.
Gave them a place at the head of those who were invited: In the Eastern culture, dinners had a special seating assignment. The seat of honor was always on a particular side of the table next to the host. It would have been a great honor to be seated next the the prophet Samuel. Moreover, not only was Saul highly exalted in public, but his servant also. In the Hebrew tradition, it is held that Saul's servant was Doeg the Edomite. On this occasion, Doeg would have had a foretaste of his future position as one of Saul's great herdsmen. ("Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's shepherds" (1 Samuel 21:7).) Doeg also is the person who reports to Saul the whereabouts of David after David flees from Saul's service. Doeg subsequently is asked by King Saul to go to Nob and slay all the priests for their involvement in helping David by giving him food and prayer. (See 1 Samuel 22.) I can only imagine Doeg the Edomite, after killing all the priests and their families, probably received a nice promotion by King Saul.
About thirty men: Here we are given an important detail about the feast. It was limited to only 30 of the most distinguished people in the area. It is easy to see how the honor bestowed upon Saul is growing. First he is invited to the feast. Then, he is made to go ahead of Samuel. Then he is given a place of honor among the select few who were invited to the feast.
Samuel said to the cook: The meaning of the statement is this--all that took place in the meeting of the prophet and Saul at the sacrificial feast (and subsequent events) was arranged beforehand. Every event was foreseen and provided for, even the most trivial details.
Additionally, there is an error here in the English translation. Samuel's name is not given in Hebrew. Instead, the Hebrew reads the cook is the speaker. A more correct translation would be: "And the cook lifted up the thigh, with that which was upon it, and set it before Saul, and said, 'Behold, that which has been reserved is set before you onto the appointed time, of which he (Samuel) spoke, saying, I have invited the people.'"
Then the cook took up the leg: In addition to all the other previous honors, Saul is also given the best, most special portion. In the Eastern culture, every meal had a special portion which would be given to the one the host most wanted to honor. The portion very likely saved for Saul was the right thigh. The right thigh was reserved for the priest. ("You shall give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from the sacrifices of the peace offerings" (Leviticus 7:32).) The right thigh would have been Samuel's, but instead of the host eating the best portion, he allocates it to Saul. The meaning of the special portion would not have been lost on the invited guests. It would have been a clear statement to all who attended that a very great honor was being set upon Saul.
Additionally, the right shoulder portion may have been a secret sign of the tremendous burden about to be placed upon Saul. Enormous strength was going to be necessary for Saul reign as king. The shoulder is both the seat of burdens and the subject of strength.
4. (1 Sam 9:25-27) Samuel and Saul talk together through the night.
When they came down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof. And they arose early; and at daybreak Samuel called to Saul on the roof, saying, "Get up, that I may send you away." So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went into the street. As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Say to the servant that he might go ahead of us and pass on, but you remain standing now, that I may proclaim the word of God to you."
Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof: After the public sacrifice, in which tremendous honors were bestowed upon Saul, now we learn that Samuel has invited Saul and his servant to stay at his place for the night. The flat rooftop in the Eastern culture was a place for quiet conversation, rest and where the honored guest was frequently lodged.
That I may proclaim the word of God to you: Samuel is now going to reveal to Saul the word of God which Samuel had received. Saul is about to discover all of Samuel's abundant honors are just a foretaste of the innumerable privileges Saul will receive as king of Israel.
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