1 Samuel 9 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Samuel 9 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Samuel was born in approximately 1100 B.C.

• Samuel lived until approximately 1012 B.C.

• Israel’s first king was appointed in approximately 1050 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Samuel – He grew up in Shiloh under the care of Eli. He judged Israel until his death. He was a prophet who received messages from God.

• Saul – God selected Saul to be the first king of Israel. He was from the tribe of Benjamin.

WHERE:

• In 1 Samuel 9, Saul travelled through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, and the land of Benjamin.

• The exact location of Shalishah is not known. The land of Zuph (9:5) was probably in the northern territory of Benjamin.

• We are not told the name of the city where Saul met Samuel.

OUTLINE:

• SAUL AND THE LOST DONKEYS (9:1-10):

  • Kish was a rich man from the tribe of Benjamin who had a son named Saul.

  • Saul was very tall and extremely handsome.

  • One day, the donkeys of Kish went missing, so he sent Saul and a servant to find them.

  • They went through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, and the land of Benjamin, but they couldn’t find the donkeys.

  • When they were about to quit and return home, the servant reminded Saul about a “seer,” a man of God who lived in the area.

  • They decided to visit the man of God (Samuel) and ask him for help locating their animals.

• SAUL MEETS SAMUEL (9:11-27):

  • Saul and the servant met Samuel in the nearby city as he was going up to the “high place” to bless a sacrifice for the people.  

  • God had spoken with Samuel the day before and told him about Saul, so he was anticipating their meeting.

  • Samuel was to anoint Saul king over Israel.

  • Before doing so, Samuel invited Saul to eat with him and spend the night. He assured him there was no reason to continue worrying about his father’s donkeys, because they had already been found.

  • Samuel blessed Saul’s house and foretold how they were to receive a great honor.

  • Saul was shocked by Samuel’s blessing, saying, “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…” (9:21).

  • When it was time to eat, Samuel sat Saul in a seat of honor and gave him a good piece of meat he had previously set aside.

  • After the meal, spent the night in the city.

  • The next morning, Samuel woke Saul and told him to send his servant home ahead of him.

  • Samuel wanted to speak to Saul privately and share the words of the Lord with Him.

APPLICATION:

• Looks can be deceiving.

• Saul looked the part of a king. He was super tall and super handsome. He was the kind of man other men want to follow.

• But he had a disappointing reign as king. He wasn’t the king Israel needed.

• In contrast, Jesus didn’t look the part of a king. In fact, Isaiah 53:2 foretold Jesus wouldn’t be considered a man of majesty or beauty from a human perspective.  

• But Jesus was the king everyone needed.

• 1 Samuel 16:7 - For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”