1 Samuel 9:15-27
The Man Who Will Save My People
Read the passage
15Now on the day before Saul’s arrival, the LORD had revealed to Samuel,
16“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 save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”
17When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.”
18Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”
19“I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today. And when I send you off in the morning, I will tell you all that is in your heart.
20As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. And upon whom is all the desire of Israel, if not upon you and all your father’s house?”
21Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?”
22Then Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited—about thirty in all.
23And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.”
24So the cook picked up the leg and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, “Here is what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat, for it has been kept for you for this occasion, from the time I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul dined with Samuel that day.
25And after they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof of his house.
26They got up early in the morning, and just before dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get ready, and I will send you on your way!” So Saul got ready, and both he and Samuel went outside together.
27As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us, but you stay for a while, and I will reveal to you the word of God.” So the servant went on.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The day before Saul arrives, the LORD has told Samuel that He will send a man from Benjamin whom Samuel must anoint as ruler over Israel. The LORD says this ruler will save His people from the Philistines because He has seen their oppression. Samuel is waiting for Saul before Saul knows that anything larger than lost donkeys is happening.
When Samuel sees Saul, the LORD identifies him as the man He spoke about. Saul approaches Samuel at the gate and asks where the seer's house is. Samuel tells him that he is the seer, asks him to go up ahead to the high place, and tells him that he and his servant will eat with Samuel that day. He also says that the donkeys lost three days earlier have been found.
Samuel tells Saul that the desire of Israel rests on him and his father’s house. Saul answers by naming his small tribe and his clan’s low position. He asks why Samuel would say such a thing to him. The honor he is receiving is far beyond the help he came to seek.
At the meal, Samuel gives Saul the leg and the portion set aside for him. Saul is seated in the place of honor among about thirty guests. Afterward, Samuel goes down from the high place with Saul and speaks with him on the roof. The public meal is followed by a private conversation, preparing the way for what God will reveal next.
At dawn they leave the city together. Samuel tells Saul to send the servant ahead and stay to hear the word of God. The LORD has already heard His people’s cry and arranged this meeting for their deliverance. Saul must now hear what that means for him.
Questions
1 Why does the LORD say He will send a ruler to Samuel?
AnswerHe has looked upon His people because their cry has reached Him. The man Samuel anoints is to save them from the Philistines.
2 What does Samuel tell Saul about the missing donkeys?
AnswerThey have been found. Samuel relieves the concern that brought Saul to him before speaking of a much larger responsibility.
3 How does Saul respond to the honor Samuel describes?
AnswerHe points to Benjamin as the smallest tribe and his clan as the least within it, asking why Samuel would speak this way to him.
4 Why does Samuel ask Saul to stay while the servant goes ahead?
AnswerHe is going to reveal the word of God to Saul. The meal and conversation lead to a moment when Saul must hear the LORD’s message.
What This Means for Us
Saul is still thinking about his father's worry when Samuel says that Israel's desire is turned toward him. The passage does not make him instantly wise or power-hungry. It invites us to notice how responsibility may arrive before a person understands its full weight.
Treat ordinary tasks and ordinary people with respect. A household can practice this by listening to the person who brings a small concern, sharing hospitality without using it to flatter, and testing new responsibility by God's purposes rather than by the honor it brings. A calling is not permission to stop being accountable.
Prayer
God who guides ordinary steps, help us receive responsibility with humility. Make us attentive to people whose concerns seem small and generous in our hospitality. When You lead us into work we did not seek, give us wisdom to serve rather than hunger for honor. Amen.
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