Background and Context

Saul, the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, is introduced in the biblical narrative as a young man of impressive stature and appearance. His account begins in 1 Samuel 9, during a time when Israel was transitioning from a theocratic system of judges to a monarchy. The Israelites had demanded a king to lead them, like the other nations, and God had instructed the prophet Samuel to anoint a king for them.

The Search for the Lost Donkeys

The narrative of Saul's search for his father's lost donkeys serves as a pivotal moment in his life and in the history of Israel. Kish, Saul's father, had lost some donkeys, and he sent Saul and a servant to find them. This search took them through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalisha, Shaalim, and the territory of Benjamin, but they were unable to locate the animals.

Decision to Consult a Seer

As Saul and his servant reached the land of Zuph, Saul suggested returning home to avoid causing his father further worry. However, the servant proposed seeking guidance from a "seer," a term used in ancient Israel for a prophet. The servant mentioned that there was a man of God in the city who was held in high esteem and that everything he said came true. This man was Samuel, though Saul was unaware of his identity at the time.

Saul expressed concern about what they could offer the seer, as their provisions were exhausted. The servant, however, had a quarter shekel of silver, which he offered to give to the man of God as a customary gift for his services. Saul agreed to the plan, demonstrating a willingness to seek divine guidance through the established means of consulting a prophet.

Encounter with Samuel

As Saul and his servant approached the city, they encountered young women drawing water and inquired about the seer's whereabouts. The women directed them to Samuel, who was on his way to a high place to offer a sacrifice. Unbeknownst to Saul, God had already revealed to Samuel that He would send a man from the land of Benjamin to be anointed as the leader of Israel.

When Saul met Samuel, the prophet informed him that the donkeys had been found and that the desire of Israel was upon him. Samuel invited Saul to a meal and later anointed him as the first king of Israel, marking the beginning of Saul's reign and the establishment of the monarchy in Israel.

Biblical References

· 1 Samuel 9:1-2 : "Now there was a man of Benjamin named Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite of standing. And he had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others."
· 1 Samuel 9:3-10 : This passage details the search for the donkeys and the decision to consult the seer.
· 1 Samuel 9:15-17 : "Now the day before Saul’s arrival, the LORD had revealed to Samuel, 'At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel. He will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon My people, for their cry has come to Me.' When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, 'Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.'"

Theological Significance

Saul's search for the donkeys and his subsequent encounter with Samuel highlight the providence of God in orchestrating events according to His divine plan. Despite the mundane nature of the task, it served as the means by which God introduced Saul to Samuel and initiated the anointing of Israel's first king. This narrative underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance and the role of prophets as mediators of God's will in the Old Testament.