When God is Not King
Read 1 Samuel 9:1-27
“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 has come to Me.”1 Samuel 9:16
Introduction
The Israelites demanded a king to lead them into battles, desiring to be like all the other nations. By doing so, they rejected God as their King—the One who had fought for them and delivered them (1 Samuel 8:7). Yet, even in their rejection, God’s love for His people remained steadfast. He yielded to their request and anointed Saul as their king, choosing him to act on God’s behalf to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines.
Mundane Work
Saul’s story begins with an ordinary task: his father’s donkeys had gone missing, and Saul was instructed to find them. Diligently, Saul and a servant embarked on a journey through the hill country and neighbouring territories, searching for three days without success (1 Samuel 9:4).
At the land of Zuph, discouraged and ready to return home, Saul suggested they stop the search to avoid worrying his father. However, his servant proposed one last effort—to consult a seer who might offer divine guidance about the missing donkeys.
Wasted Effort?
Unknown to Saul, this seemingly mundane task was part of a greater divine plan. Samuel, the seer, was already expecting him, having received word from the Lord that Saul was His chosen king for Israel.
This encounter was a pivotal moment, orchestrated by God. Through it, Saul was called to look beyond the ordinary and recognize a higher purpose. The donkeys had been found, but a far greater calling awaited him. Saul may have seen himself as insignificant, but God saw his potential and chose him for a place of honour (1 Samuel 9:19-22).
Place of Honor
In a surprising turn of events, Saul was invited to sit at the seat of honour with Samuel—a moment that foreshadowed his anointing as king. This serves as a reminder not to let the mundane work of life overshadow our identity as children of God. As Psalm 23 declares, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Even as we strive for excellence in life’s daily tasks, we must remain mindful of God’s presence and purpose. When we fail to seek Him, we risk losing sight of His greater plan. Lord, help us to set our hearts on You, the author and perfecter of our faith.
Reflection
This passage highlights the extraordinary ways God works through ordinary circumstances. Saul’s search for his father’s donkeys seemed like a mundane and fruitless endeavour, yet it was a divinely orchestrated journey that led to his anointing as Israel’s first king.
Often, we may feel burdened by life’s repetitive tasks or frustrated by what seems like wasted effort. However, Saul’s story reminds us that God is at work even in the mundane. What appears insignificant to us may be part of a much larger plan.
This also challenges us to maintain a posture of humility and readiness. Saul initially viewed himself as small and unworthy, yet God saw beyond his limitations and called him to a position of honour. Similarly, we must trust that God’s purpose for us extends far beyond what we can see.
Finally, the invitation to the seat of honour with Samuel reflects the grace of God, who prepares a table for His children even in the presence of challenges. In the midst of life’s demands, let us not forget to seek God’s guidance and align our hearts with His will. As we faithfully steward the tasks before us, we can trust that God’s purpose will unfold in His perfect timing.
Prayer: Lord, in the midst of life’s mundane work, help me to see Your hand and trust in Your purpose. May I set my heart on You and live each day in faithfulness to Your calling. Amen.
1 Samuel 9:1 - 27
9 There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth.2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
3 Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.” 4 And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them.
5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us go back, lest my father cease to care about the donkeys and become anxious about us.” 6 But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go.” 7 Then Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?” 8 The servant answered Saul again, “Here, I have with me a quarter of a shekel of silver, and I will give it to the man of God to tell us our way.” 9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for today's “prophet” was formerly called a seer.) 10 And Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.
11 As they went up the hill to the city, they met young women coming out to draw water and said to them, “Is the seer here?” 12 They answered, “He is; behold, he is just ahead of you. Hurry. He has come just now to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today on the high place. 13 As soon as you enter the city you will find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat till he comes, since he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now go up, for you will meet him immediately.” 14 So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.
15 Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: 16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.” 17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.”18 Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Tell me where is the house of the seer?” 19 Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. 20 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on 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 house?” 21 Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?”
22 Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons. 23 And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Put it aside.’” 24 So the cook took up the leg and what was on it and set them before Saul. And Samuel said, “See, what was kept is set before you. Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests.”
So Saul ate with Samuel that day. 25 And when they came down from the high place into the city, a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep. 26 Then at the break of dawn[g] Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Up, that I may send you on your way.” So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street.
27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to pass on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.”