INTRODUCTION: In this lesson, the people of Israel are granted their request for a king. This lesson tells of Saul’s call, anointing and presentation to the people. He is all they could have wanted: the strong, silent type of hero. Initially, Saul shows much humility and will be used of God to deliver Israel. Later, his pride gets in the way.

1. SAUL SEEKS HIS FATHER’S PROPERTY (1 Samuel 9:1-5 [1] Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. [2] And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. [3] And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses. [4] And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. [5] And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
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1. His Father – Kish (1 Samuel 9:1Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
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1. A man of Benjamin
2. A mighty man of power
2. His Person (1 Samuel 9:2And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
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1. Strong; “a choice young man”
2. Handsome; “goodly”: There was not a goodlier person in all Israel.
3. Tall; perhaps a foot taller than anyone else of the children of Israel – “from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people”
4. NOTE: God was giving to Israel what they wanted (1 Samuel 8:19-20 [19] Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; [20] That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
   See All...).  Contrast David when God chose him (1 Samuel 16:6-12 [6] And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him. [7] But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. [8] Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. [9] Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. [10] Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. [11] And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. [12] And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
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3. His Search (1 Samuel 9:3-5 [3] And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses. [4] And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. [5] And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
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1. His lost property (1 Samuel 9:3And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.
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1. The asses of Kish were lost. NOTE: An ass is a kind of animal resembling a horse but having longer ears and a shorter mane, as the wild ass of Africa. Donkeys and burros are domesticated asses. They are stubborn animals but are prized for their ability to do heavy work (see Numbers 22:22-31 [22] And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. [23] And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. [24] But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. [25] And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. [26] And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. [27] And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. [28] And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? [29] And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. [30] And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. [31] Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
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2. Saul was instructed to take a servant and go seek the asses.
2. The fruitless search (1 Samuel 9:4-5 [4] And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. [5] And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
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1. Five territories covered but no asses found (1 Samuel 9:4-5 [4] And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. [5] And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
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2. Saul and his servant cease their searching (1 Samuel 9:5And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
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2. SAUL GOES TO SEE SAMUEL (1 Samuel 9:6-14 [6] And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. [7] Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? [8] And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. [9] (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) [10] Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was. [11] And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here? [12] And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: [13] As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him. [14] And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
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1. The Decision to Go (1 Samuel 9:6-10 [6] And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. [7] Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? [8] And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. [9] (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) [10] Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.
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1. The servant’s suggestion (1 Samuel 9:6And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.
   See All...; cp. 2 Kings 5:13And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
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2. Saul’s concern (1 Samuel 9:7-8 [7] Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? [8] And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.
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3. The prophet’s title – seer (1 Samuel 9:9(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)
   See All...); notice how the Bible deals with supposed archaic words; it defines them in context without changing them.
4. The trip to the city (1 Samuel 9:10Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.
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5. NOTE: The words seer, seer’s and seers occur 28 times in the Bible – all in the Old Testament. The title refers to those who see that which others do not (1 Samuel 3:1And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
   See All..., 21).
2. Their Arrival at the City (1 Samuel 9:11-14 [11] And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here? [12] And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: [13] As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him. [14] And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
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1. Up the hill to the city (1 Samuel 9:11And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?
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2. On a day of sacrifice (1 Samuel 9:12-13 [12] And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: [13] As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.
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3. To the high place (1 Samuel 9:14And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
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3. SAUL MEETS WITH SAMUEL (1 Samuel 9:15-27 [15] Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, [16] To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. [17] And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people. [18] Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is. [19] And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart. [20] And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? [21] And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? [22] And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons. [23] And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee. [24] And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. [25] And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house. [26] And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. [27] And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.
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1. God’s Message to Samuel (1 Samuel 9:15-17 [15] Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, [16] To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. [17] And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
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1. The day before Saul came (1 Samuel 9:15-16 [15] Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, [16] To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
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1. That one would come tomorrow
2. That he would be anointed to be captain over Israel
3. That God had heard the cry of His people
2. The day Saul came (1 Samuel 9:17And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
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1. Behold the man.
2. He shall reign.
2. Saul’s Meal with Samuel (1 Samuel 9:18-24 [18] Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is. [19] And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart. [20] And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? [21] And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? [22] And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons. [23] And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee. [24] And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
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1. Samuel’s message (1 Samuel 9:18-20 [18] Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is. [19] And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart. [20] And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house?
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1. I am the seer (1 Samuel 9:19And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.
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2. We will eat tomorrow (1 Samuel 9:19And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.
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3. I “will tell thee all that is in thine heart” (1 Samuel 9:19And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.
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4. The asses are found (1 Samuel 9:20And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house?
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5. The desire of Israel is on thee (1 Samuel 9:20And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house?
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2. Saul’s humility (1 Samuel 9:21And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
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3. Their meal (1 Samuel 9:22-24 [22] And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons. [23] And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee. [24] And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
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4. NOTE: Saul was lifted up to a place of importance when his heart was humble. This is God’s practice (Judges 6:14-16 [14] And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? [15] And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. [16] And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
   See All...; Matthew 23:12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
   See All...). But many who begin in humility, fall in pride after they have tasted success (1 Samuel 15:17-19 [17] And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? [18] And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. [19] Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?
   See All..., 22-23; Proverbs 16:18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
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3. Samuel’s Word to Saul (1 Samuel 9:25-27 [25] And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house. [26] And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. [27] And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.
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1. A message in the morning (1 Samuel 9:25-26 [25] And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house. [26] And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
   See All...; Psalm 5:3My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
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2. A message in private (1 Samuel 9:27And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.
   See All...a; Proverbs 18:1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
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3. A message in stillness (1 Samuel 9:27And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.
   See All...b; Psalm 46:10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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4. NOTE: Compare this with how God speaks to us.
4. SAMUEL ANOINTS SAUL (1 Samuel 10:1-16 [1] Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? [2] When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? [3] Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: [4] And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. [5] After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: [6] And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. [7] And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. [8] And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do. [9] And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. [10] And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. [11] And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? [12] And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? [13] And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place. [14] And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel. [15] And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you. [16] And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.
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1. Samuel Anoints Saul to Be King (1 Samuel 10:1Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
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1. He poured the oil on his head.
2. He kissed him.
3. He declared him captain over God’s inheritance.
2. Samuel Promises Signs to Assure Saul of His Call (1 Samuel 10:2-8 [2] When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? [3] Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: [4] And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. [5] After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: [6] And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. [7] And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. [8] And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.
   See All...).
1. Two men by Rachel’s sepulchre (1 Samuel 10:2When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?
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2. Three men on the plain of Tabor (1 Samuel 10:3-4 [3] Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: [4] And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.
   See All...)
3. A company of prophets at the hill of God (1 Samuel 10:5-7 [5] After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: [6] And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. [7] And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.
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1. They will come with instruments of music (1 Samuel 10:5After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:
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2. They will prophesy (1 Samuel 10:5After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:
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3. The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you (1 Samuel 10:6And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
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1. You will prophesy.
2. You will be turned into another man.
4. When these signs come unto you (1 Samuel 10:7And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.
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1. Do as the occasion serves.
2. The Lord is with you.
4. I will meet you in Gilgal (1 Samuel 10:8And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.
   See All...).
3. Saul Prophesies among the Prophets (1 Samuel 10:9-13 [9] And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. [10] And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. [11] And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? [12] And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? [13] And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.
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1. God gives him another heart (1 Samuel 10:9-10 [9] And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. [10] And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
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2. The people make a proverb (1 Samuel 10:11-13 [11] And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? [12] And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? [13] And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.
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4. Saul Returns Home to His Uncle (1 Samuel 10:14-16 [14] And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel. [15] And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you. [16] And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.
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5. SAMUEL ANNOUNCES SAUL (1 Samuel 10:17-27 [17] And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh; [18] And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you: [19] And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands. [20] And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken. [21] When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found. [22] Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold he hath hid himself among the stuff. [23] And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. [24] And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king. [25] Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. [26] And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched. [27] But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought no presents. But he held his peace.
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1. He Brought the Tribes to Receive Their King (1 Samuel 10:17-19 [17] And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh; [18] And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you: [19] And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.
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2. Saul Was Chosen to be Their King (1 Samuel 10:20-21 [20] And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken. [21] When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.
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3. Saul Was Found and Presented to the People (1 Samuel 10:21When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.
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4. Saul Was Followed by a Band of Men (1 Samuel 10:26-27 [26] And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched. [27] But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought no presents. But he held his peace.
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CONCLUSION: The knowledge that Saul had a bad end should not keep us from seeing much good in his beginning. He sought the Lord and was given a new heart to serve Him. He reacted in humility to his call, and God gave him a band of men whose hearts God had touched. May we all approach our service to God in this way.