1 Samuel Chapter 9

What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 9?

Introduction to 1 Samuel 9

1 Samuel 9 marks the divine orchestration of Israel’s first king as we witness יהוה working behind the scenes to bring Saul to Samuel. This narrative masterfully reveals God’s sovereignty even amidst human choices that diverge from His ideal plan. The seemingly mundane search for lost donkeys becomes the avenue through which God implements the momentous transition from judge to king. Like threads being woven into a tapestry, this chapter demonstrates how the ordinary circumstances of life often serve as the canvas upon which God paints His extraordinary purposes.

Context of 1 Samuel 9

Following Israel’s demand for a king “like all the nations” in the previous chapter, 1 Samuel 9 shows God’s responsive action. Rather than abandoning His people to their misguided desires, יהוה actively participates in the selection process, demonstrating His continued engagement with Israel despite their rejection of His direct kingship. The chapter bridges the gap between the era of judges and the monarchy, revealing God’s persistence in working through imperfect human institutions.

This narrative also fits within the broader biblical theme of divine calling. Just as God had previously called unlikely leaders like Moses, Gideon, and others, now He selects Saul—a man described as impressive in stature yet surprisingly insecure. The pattern of God choosing and equipping unexpected individuals continues throughout Scripture, ultimately culminating in Yeshua the Messiah, who would establish a kingdom not of this world. The detailed account of Saul’s calling establishes a contrast with David’s later anointing (1 Samuel 16) and provides the historical foundation for the Davidic covenant through which the Messiah would come.

Ancient Key Word Study

• בָּחוּר (bachur) – “choice/handsome”: Used to describe Saul in verse 2, this term denotes physical excellence and prime condition. It suggests one at the peak of youthful vigor and appearance. The root relates to “being chosen,” foreshadowing Saul’s selection as king while ironically highlighting God’s focus on external qualities that would ultimately prove insufficient.
• אָבַד (abad) – “lost”: The word describing the missing donkeys carries deeper connotations of “perishing” or “wandering away to destruction.” This creates a subtle parallel to Israel’s spiritual condition—God’s people had similarly wandered from His leadership and were at risk of spiritual harm.
• רֹאֶה (ro’eh) – “seer”: This archaic term for prophet emphasizes the visual aspect of prophetic insight. The text explicitly notes its equivalence to נָבִיא (navi, prophet), showing the transitional period in Israel’s religious vocabulary. The “seer” sees what others cannot, including God’s selection of an unlikely king.
• אֲמָה (amah) – “female servant”: Used in Saul’s self-description of his family as “least of the tribes,” this term denotes a lower social status. Saul’s use of this terminology reveals his perception of unworthiness, creating a humble beginning that contrasts with his later pride.
• נָגִיד (nagid) – “leader/prince”: Unlike מֶלֶךְ (melek, king), this term emphasizes function over title—one who leads by going before others. God’s choice of this word rather than “king” hints at Saul’s intended role as God’s representative rather than autonomous ruler.
• גָּלָה (galah) – “revealed”: Used to describe God’s disclosure to Samuel, this verb has rich theological significance, denoting divine unveiling of previously hidden knowledge. It forms the root of words related to revelation and exile, connecting prophetic insight with covenant relationship.
• מָשַׁח (mashach) – “anoint”: This ceremonial action of pouring oil carries deep spiritual symbolism, setting apart individuals for divine service. From this root comes “Messiah” (מָשִׁיחַ) and its Greek equivalent “Christ,” establishing a typological connection between Saul and the future Anointed One.
• חֲמוֹר (chamor) – “donkey”: Beyond designating the lost animals, this word has royal associations in ancient Near Eastern culture, where rulers often rode donkeys as symbols of peace (unlike horses, associated with warfare). This creates subtle foreshadowing of Saul’s kingship and ultimately points to Messiah’s humble entry into Jerusalem.

Compare & Contrast

• In verse 2, Saul is described as “from his shoulders upward taller than any of the people” (מִשִּׁכְמוֹ וָמַעְלָה גָּבֹהַּ מִכָּל־הָעָם). This physical description could have simply stated “he was very tall” but instead used this specific phrasing to emphasize the visible, external nature of Saul’s qualifications—contrasting with God’s later statement to Samuel that He “looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
• The repeated use of “the young man” (נַעַר) for Saul’s servant creates an age distinction that emphasizes Saul’s maturity and readiness for leadership, rather than using a term like “assistant” (עֹזֵר) that would focus on function rather than status.
• God’s revelation to Samuel is described as “uncovering his ear” (גָּלָה אֶת־אֹזֶן) in verse 15, using an intimate idiom of disclosure rather than a more formal “spoke to” (דִּבֵּר אֶל). This phrasing emphasizes the personal relationship between יהוה and His prophet.
• In verse 16, God says Saul “shall save My people” (וְהוֹשִׁיעַ אֶת־עַמִּי) using the same root (ישע) that forms the basis of Yeshua’s name. This linguistic choice creates a typological connection that a simple “will lead” or “will rule” would have missed.
• Saul’s question to Samuel in verse 18 uses the polite phrasing “please tell me” (הַגִּידָה־נָּא לִי) rather than a direct demand, revealing his initial humility and deference to spiritual authority that would later deteriorate.
• The description of the sacrificial meal in verses 22-24 uses precise terminology for the sacred portion given to Saul (הַשּׁוֹק וְהֶעָלֶיהָ – “the thigh and what was on it”), rather than generic terms, connecting the scene to priestly practices and highlighting the spiritual significance of Saul’s anointing.

1 Samuel 9 Unique Insights

The Talmud (Berakhot 12b) notes that Saul’s search for donkeys symbolizes his initial concern for his father’s property, highlighting his family loyalty. This trait made him initially worthy of kingship despite the problematic nature of Israel’s request. The rabbis saw in this narrative a profound lesson: sometimes what appears to be chance (searching for donkeys) is actually divine providence orchestrating a greater purpose.

The mystical tradition finds significance in Saul being from the tribe of Benjamin, the only son of Jacob born in the Promised Land. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks taught that this represents the tension between the universal (Joseph’s sons born in Egypt) and the particular (Benjamin born in Canaan), reflecting Israel’s dual calling to be both a distinctive nation and a light to the world.

Early Christian interpreters like Augustine saw in Saul’s journey a spiritual metaphor: seeking something mundane (donkeys) but finding something transcendent (kingship). This parallels how the Messiah is often discovered when people are searching for something else entirely, a theme Yeshua himself referenced in parables about hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44-46).

The proportions used to describe the feast are telling—Samuel had specifically reserved a portion for Saul before even meeting him. The Midrash suggests this represents God’s foreknowledge and preparation, teaching that divine provision often precedes human awareness of need. This foreshadows how God prepared the way for Messiah long before humanity recognized their need for Him.

1 Samuel 9 Connections to Yeshua

This chapter establishes several typological connections to Yeshua. The selection of Saul sets in motion the historical process that would eventually lead to the Davidic dynasty and the promised Messiah. Yet the contrasts are equally important—while Saul was physically impressive, Yeshua had “no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2). Saul’s kingdom would be temporary, while Messiah’s kingdom is eternal.

Particularly significant is God’s use of the word “save” (וְהוֹשִׁיעַ) regarding Saul’s mission to deliver Israel from the Philistines. This same root forms the name Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ), whose mission would be to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Where Saul would bring temporary political deliverance, Yeshua brings eternal spiritual salvation.

Samuel’s role in anointing Saul reflects the prophetic office’s responsibility to identify and affirm God’s chosen leader—a pattern that would continue through John the Immerser’s identification of Yeshua as “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29).

1 Samuel 9 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with Jacob’s blessing of Benjamin as a “ravenous wolf” (Genesis 49:27)—Saul’s tribe—suggesting the fierce but ultimately destructive nature of his kingship. The seemingly chance meeting between Saul and Samuel echoes Abraham’s servant finding Rebekah (Genesis 24), reinforcing the theme of God’s providential guidance.

The detailed description of Saul’s physical stature connects to Goliath’s description (1 Samuel 17:4-7), creating an ironic comparison between Israel’s king and the enemy he would fail to confront. This contrasts with David, who would defeat Goliath and ultimately establish the dynasty leading to Messiah.

The theme of lost animals leading to unexpected destiny appears elsewhere in Scripture, notably with Moses tending sheep before encountering the burning bush (Exodus 3). This pattern reinforces that God often reveals His purposes through seemingly ordinary circumstances.

1 Samuel 9 Devotional

This chapter beautifully illustrates how God weaves the ordinary details of our lives into His greater purposes. Saul wasn’t seeking kingship—he was simply trying to fulfill his father’s request to find lost donkeys. Yet God used this mundane task to lead him to his destiny. How often do we miss God’s hand in our daily responsibilities, failing to see that the “small errands” of life might be divine appointments?

The contrast between human and divine perspective is striking. While those around him saw only Saul’s impressive height and appearance, God was orchestrating a complex plan that would ultimately lead to David and eventually to the Messiah. This reminds us to look beyond surface impressions and seek God’s perspective in every situation.

Saul’s initial humility—”Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin?”—stands in stark contrast to his later pride. This warns us that positions of authority can either develop or destroy character. Let us remain humble regardless of the status or responsibility God entrusts to us, remembering that whatever gifts or positions we have come from His hand alone.

Did You Know

• The height description of Saul being “a head taller than all others” coincides with archaeological evidence from this period showing the average Israelite male stood approximately 5’5″ tall, suggesting Saul was likely around 6′ tall—exceptional for that time.
• The “one-fourth of a shekel of silver” that Saul’s servant offered the seer would be equivalent to about a day’s wages for an average worker, indicating the value placed on prophetic guidance.
• The high place (במה) mentioned where Samuel conducted the sacrifice was a legitimate worship site before the centralization of worship in Jerusalem under Solomon. These local shrines typically featured altars on elevated ground and were later condemned when they became centers of syncretistic practices.
• The specific cut of meat (the thigh portion) that Samuel reserved for Saul was typically given to priests according to Levitical law, symbolically transferring priestly honor to the future king and suggesting the interconnection of these offices that would ultimately converge in the Messiah.
• The town of Zuph, from which Samuel’s ancestry derived, means “honeycomb” in Hebrew, creating a subtle linguistic connection to the later incident where Saul’s son Jonathan would eat honey against his father’s oath (1 Samuel 14).
• Benjaminites were renowned for being left-handed warriors (Judges 20:16), a trait that gave them advantage in battle. This martial skill likely contributed to their tribe’s reputation despite their small size.
• The Hebrew phrase “the choice of Israel” used to describe Saul employs the same terminology used for select sacrificial animals, subtly foreshadowing Saul’s eventual failure and replacement.
• The land of Shalisha that Saul passed through derives its name from the Hebrew word for “three,” and according to rabbinic tradition, produced fruit that ripened in just one-third of the normal time, symbolizing the accelerated nature of Saul’s rise to power.
• Samuel’s invitation to Saul to “stay with me today” utilizes language similar to that used by Laban to Jacob, creating a literary allusion between these two significant transitional figures in Israel’s history.