God often begins His greatest plans The Donkeys Belonging To Saul, through ordinary moments. Saul set out searching for lost donkeys, unaware that God was leading him toward a divine appointment with Samuel. Behind every step was God’s sovereign hand, preparing Israel’s first king. This chapter reminds us that God’s covenant, compassion, and redemption plan are always unfolding, even when we cannot yet see His purpose.
Theme Keywords: Obedience • God’s Covenant • Faith • Compassion • Seer • Samuel • God’s Guidance • Divine Appointment • Redemption Plan • Jesus Christ
📖 Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:1–2 (NIV)
“9 There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. 2 Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.”
📖 Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:3–5
“3 Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.” 4 So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them.”
“5 When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”
Saul, the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, was introduced as an impressive young man—handsome and taller than anyone else in Israel. Yet his journey began with a simple assignment from his father: find the family’s lost donkeys.”
Saul searched through several regions but found nothing. As the days passed, he became concerned that his father would stop worrying about the donkeys and begin worrying about them.
What appeared to be an ordinary task was actually God’s perfect timing. Long before Saul knew it, the Lord was directing every step.
Sometimes God uses everyday responsibilities to lead us toward extraordinary purposes.
📖 Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:6–14 (NIV)
“6 But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”
“7 Saul said to his servant, “If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”
“8 The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have a quarter of a shekel[a] of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.” 9 (Formerly in Israel, if someone went to inquire of God, they would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.)”
“10 “Good,” Saul said to his servant. “Come, let’s go.” So they set out for the town where the man of God was.”
“11 As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water, and they asked them, “Is the seer here?”
“12 “He is,” they answered. “He’s ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place. 13 As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time.”
“14 They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.:”
Although Saul hesitated because they had no proper gift, the servant offered a small piece of silver, and together they continued their journey.
Along the way they met young women drawing water who directed them to Samuel.
Every conversation, every delay, and every encounter moved Saul exactly where God intended him to be.
God often uses ordinary people and simple circumstances to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
📖 Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:15–18 (NIV)
“15 Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: 16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”
“17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”
“18 Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”
Before Saul ever arrived, the Lord had already spoken to Samuel.
God revealed:
“About this time tomorrow I will send you a man… Anoint him ruler over my people Israel.”
Although Israel had rejected God as their King by demanding a human ruler, the Lord had not abandoned His covenant.
God chose Saul to deliver Israel from the Philistines because He heard the cries of His people.
Even when people make imperfect choices, God’s compassion continues to work toward His greater purpose.
📖 Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:19–23 (NIV)
“19 “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart. 20 As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?”
“21 Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”
“22 Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited—about thirty in number. 23 Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.”
Saul simply asked where the seer’s house was.
Samuel replied,
“I am the seer.”
Then Samuel immediately revealed that the missing donkeys had already been found.
Only afterward did he begin speaking about Saul’s future.
God addressed Saul’s immediate concern before revealing His larger calling.
Saul was overwhelmed by Samuel’s words.
Coming from the smallest tribe of Israel, he could hardly believe God had chosen him for such responsibility.
Yet God does not choose people according to human importance.
He chooses according to His sovereign purpose.
📖 Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:24–27 (NIV)
“24 So the cook took up the thigh with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion from the time I said, ‘I have invited guests.’” And Saul dined with Samuel that day.”
“25 After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house. 26 They rose about daybreak, and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get ready, and I will send you on your way.” When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together. 27 As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and the servant did so—“but you stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.”
After sharing a special meal together, Samuel walked with Saul outside the city.
Then Samuel stopped.
He instructed Saul’s servant to continue ahead while Saul remained behind.
The moment had arrived.
Samuel said:
“Stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.”
The search for lost donkeys had become a divine appointment.
God had been directing Saul’s path from the very beginning.
What Saul thought was an interruption had become the beginning of God’s calling upon his life.
Even after Israel demanded a human king, God’s covenant remained unchanged.
The Lord continued guiding His people with mercy and compassion.
Through Samuel’s obedience and Saul’s calling, God preserved His promises while moving history toward His ultimate King—Jesus Christ.
God’s purposes are never interrupted by human weakness.
His covenant continues through every generation.
God often works through ordinary circumstances.
Divine appointments are frequently disguised as everyday responsibilities.
God’s timing is always perfect.
The Lord knows our future before we see it.
Humility prepares us to receive God’s calling.
God hears the cries of His people.
Jesus Christ is God’s perfect and eternal King.
First Samuel 9 reminds us that God’s guidance is often unseen until we look back. Saul believed he was searching for lost donkeys, but God was preparing him for leadership. In the same way, the Lord quietly directs the steps of those who trust Him. His covenant, His compassion, and His redemption plan continue to unfold through ordinary lives surrendered to His extraordinary purpose.
