The Book of First Samuel
Chapter 9
[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.
1) Notable Background (V 1,2)
Israel is asking for a king, like all the surrounding nations had
Samuel warned the king will take from the people but they reject God, and desire a king
Saul, the son of Kish (man of substance), of the tribe of Benjamin (Prestigious and influential family)
Physical Image and Outward Appearance- Tall and handsome (looked like a kingly young man)
Strong and of great stature
* Yet, Nothing is said of his spirituality

[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.
[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 inquire 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.
2) Navigating from the Barnyard (V 3-14)
Saul is looking for his fathers lost donkeys (obedience), and takes a servant with him to do so
God has a purpose in those lost donkeys (Saul seeks donkeys, a bunch of donkeys seek a king)
They look high and low, but without results...... 
Saul thinks that they must return, with or without the donkeys, before his father worries 
The servant suggests that they seek out the man of God and he’ll guide them to the donkeys
They want to bring an offering to the man of God, the servant has a 1/4 of a shekel to give
Maybe they think if they give it is to pay some kind of a fee OR maybe for an honor
But Samuel is not a fortune teller, He is the Prophet of God
Saul seeks direction and Samuel is said to be in the city for sacrifice, thanksgiving, prayer and blessing
All of this is the providence of God, leading Saul to Samuel 

[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.
3) Notice Beforehand (V 15-17)
The Lord had told Samuel, the day before Saul came to town (“tomorrow about this time”) 
God would send a man of Benjamin to be anointed the king over Israel
When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said this is the man.

[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?
4) Novel Business (V 18-21)
Saul approaches, seeking the seer (the first man he speaks to is he)
Samuel invites Saul to eat with him and will let him go the next day
He proves his office as speaks of things he could not have known:
#1 (Donkeys, lost three days ago) #2(Donkeys Are found ) #3 (Saul to be king)
Samuel hints at Sauls destiny to the office of king (all the desire of Israel) 
God is giving what Israel wanted (their desire good or bad)
Sauls humble response and modesty(I Sam15:17). His family was actually very prominent 
I think it is false humility, I believe Saul thought he was worthy of becoming king

[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.
5) Nighttime Banquet (V 22-27)
30 persons bidden (v13) & gathered
Saul is given the seat of honor and served the portion of honor
The left shoulder is an emblem of government Is 9:6 (The right shoulder is for priest Lev 7:32)
How will Saul handle honor ? Will it go to his head?
Saul & Samuel spoke into the night (Instructions)
I can hear “Saul, you have the image, the humbleness, the support of the people but if you
don’t give your heart to serving God and submit to Him as your king, you aren’t fit to be king.”
The servant of Saul to go on without Saul 
Samuel will give the word of God to Saul privately
The opportunity for Saul to say I will be good and I will serve as good appoints me
Queen Victoria reigned over Great Britain for 64 years. But when she was 11 years old, her governess showed her a list of the kings and queens of England with her name added at the end. When she understood what it meant, she burst into tears. Then she controlled herself and said solemnly, “I will be good.” Here, Samuel gave Saul the opportunity to say with his heart, “I will be good.”