Saul Installed as King

In short

1 Samuel 9-10. Saul is the first (non-divine) king of Israel. Ever.

Why it is important

The people begged for a king, so God gives them a man whom they would find perfect for the job. He is anything but that, even from the beginning.

Main characters

• Samuel, the prophet
• Saul

What is in this story

1. Saul was young, handsome and tall (9:2) and came from a wealthy family (9:1)
2. Saul is on a mission to find some lost donkeys (9:3-5)
3. Meanwhile…
4. The LORD told Samuel that he would meet the future king (9:15-16)
5. Their paths cross (9:17-18)
6. Samuel tells Saul he will be king* (9:19-20)
7. Samuel anoints Saul (10:1)
8. Saul is filled with the Spirit of the LORD and prophesies (10:6, 9-12)
9. Samuel says, Behold, I will show you your king! Wait, where is Saul? (10:20-21)
10. They find Saul and show him off (10:22-24)

Things that are not so well-known

The story is riddled with small details.

• Saul was unprepared for his donkey mission; it seems his servant was the brains of the operation. The servant knew there was a prophet in the area named Samuel and brought money to offer to him.
• Samuel, on the other hand was well prepared for Saul. He set aside a special serving of food for Saul. The whole situation seems to be set up by Samuel. How did the women in the city know EVERY detail of Samuel’s plans (9:13)? Why was there a sacrifice that day, with 30 honored guests? Why was there a bed set up for Saul in the city (9:25)?
• Saul’s food is part of the sacrifice, and priests are the ones to eat sacrificed food, typically. It’s interesting, because it seems to me to be yet another time when a king acts in a priestly way (like Jesus).
• Saul is also a prophet for a day, which is another foreshadow of Jesus, perhaps.
• Saul ran away on coronation day; the people still loved him (implied, for his looks, 10:24); and those that had their doubts are called “worthless fellows” (10:27). That’s interesting, because in a sense, their doubts are right and the people are the ones with wrong motives.

Theology and doctrine

By the time we get to 1 Samuel, 10:20-21, we know full well that Saul is the chosen one. So why were lots cast?

Casting lots is done in the Bible to determine God’s will (not that we can do that today, though). Clearly in this case, Samuel has a lot of faith in the lots because they better go to Saul and his family! Casting lots, then, isn’t just like flipping a coin. It’s not making a decision by dumb luck.

Footnote

* I guess. It’s not clear from Samuel’s words, but Saul seems to catch on.