THE MAN CHOSEN TO BE KING (1 SAMUEL 9:1). 1 Samuel 9:1 ‘ 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).' We note that as with Samuel in 1:1 we are first i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE QUEST FOR THE ASSES (1 SAMUEL 9:3). The quest for the asses, and its consequence in Saul and his servant meeting up with Samuel, seems to describe just an everyday incident, but it is in fact made quite clear that their movements were guided by God in commencing the process of Saul's appointmen... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY GO TO SEEK HELP FROM THE PROPHET WHOM THE SERVANT KNOWS ABOUT (1 SAMUEL 9:6). 1 Samuel 9:6 ‘ And he said to him, “Look 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. Perhaps he can give us information... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY MEET SAMUEL WHO IS INFORMED BY YHWH THAT THIS IS THE MAN OF HIS CHOICE TO BE PERMANENT WAR-LEADER OF ISRAEL (1 SAMUEL 9:14). 1 Samuel 9:14 ‘ And they went up to the city, and as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place.' So they continued up... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIS SURPRISE SAUL IS TREATED AS THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE FESTIVAL THAT IS TAKING PLACE (1 SAMUEL 9:18). 1 Samuel 9:18 ‘ Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, “Tell me, I pray you, where the seer's house is.” ' Meanwhile Saul, unconscious of all this, approaches the unknown ma... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMUEL HONOURS SAUL AT THE FEAST AND THEN EXPLAINS TO HIM PRIVATELY WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT (1 SAMUEL 9:22). To the astonishment of Saul and his servant they now found themselves as guests of honour at the sacrificial meal, were seated in the chiefest place, and received the honoured portion. ANALYSI... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMUEL ANOINTS SAUL WITH OIL AS THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN SET APART BY YHWH AS PERMANENT WAR-LEADER (NAGID) OF ISRAEL (1 SAMUEL 9:27 TO 1 SAMUEL 10:1). 1 Samuel 9:27 ‘ As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Bid the servant pass on before us (and he passed on), but you st... [ Continue Reading ]