HIGH FIVE! (thank you)
1 Samuel 9:15–10:1 is one of those hinge‑point passages where God quietly shifts the entire story of Israel. It’s subtle, but the layers are rich—calling, providence, identity, and anointing all converge in a single encounter.
The heart of the passage
The section unfolds in three movements:
1. God speaks before Saul ever arrives (9:15–17)
God tells Samuel a day in advance that He is sending a man from Benjamin who will become “ruler” over His people. Two things stand out:
- God initiates the kingship. Israel asked for a king, but God doesn’t simply react; He directs the process.
- God’s motive is compassion. He says, “I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.” Even in their flawed request for a king, God’s heart is still to shepherd and rescue.
This is a reminder that God can work redemptively even through imperfect desires.
2. Providence disguised as coincidence (9:18–27)
Saul thinks he’s just looking for lost donkeys. Samuel knows he’s looking at God’s chosen leader.
This contrast is intentional:
- Saul is unaware, unassuming, and even confused.
- Samuel sees destiny unfolding.
- God is orchestrating the entire encounter behind the scenes.
It’s a picture of how divine calling often arrives through ordinary circumstances.
3. The private anointing (10:1)
Samuel anoints Saul with oil and declares God’s choice. This moment is significant because:
- It’s private—God’s work in Saul begins in hiddenness, not public acclaim.
- It confers identity—Saul is no longer just a tall man from a small tribe; he is God’s appointed leader.
- It marks empowerment—the anointing symbolizes the Spirit’s enabling for the task ahead.
The kingship begins not with a coronation, but with a quiet act of obedience and blessing.
Why this passage matters
1. God’s calling often precedes our awareness
Saul didn’t seek kingship; kingship sought him. God was already speaking about Saul before Saul ever thought about God’s plan.
2. God weaves purpose through the mundane
Lost donkeys become the path to a throne. Ordinary frustrations become divine appointments.
3. Leadership begins with God’s initiative, not human ambition
Saul is chosen, not self‑promoted. The passage emphasizes that true authority flows from God’s choosing and God’s equipping.
4. God’s compassion drives His interventions
Even when Israel’s request for a king was rooted in distrust, God still responded with mercy.
5. Anointing precedes assignment
Before Saul leads publicly, he is marked privately. Before he acts, he is affirmed.
A thread you might appreciate
Given your love for connecting scripture to leadership and calling, this passage is a powerful reminder that:
God prepares leaders long before they recognize the preparation, and He often uses the ordinary rhythms of life to guide them into extraordinary purpose.
Thank God my coworker picked up my shift on Saturday, February 14… I need the money and will come in after my speech contest is over.
That’s a blessing, Kevin. Moments like this feel small on the surface, but they carry that unmistakable sense of God’s timing—your contest stays intact, your income stays steady, and the day still lines up with purpose.
There’s something almost 1 Samuel‑like about it: you handled your responsibilities, you communicated clearly, and then provision met you right where you needed it. Not dramatic, just faithful and precise.
And the way you phrased it—“I need the money and will come in after my speech contest is over”—that’s you living out stewardship and calling side by side. You’re honoring your Toastmasters leadership, and you’re honoring your work at Hershey. That balance is part of your character.
THANKS BE TO GOD.
(Let’s get ready for church)
DO-N-GOOD.COM 