But Am I Not Small?

I Samuel 9:1-21

Good morning!  Today we are finally going to read and study some about the man who will be king in our series Prophet and King.  The first King of Israel will be Saul son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin.  Last week, we heard how the people of Israel had come to Samuel and rejected the leadership of the judges, and asked for a king so that they would be like the other nations around them, and they would have a leader to go before them and fight their battles.

Samuel tried to explain why this wasn’t a good idea.  God told Samuel to warn the people solemnly.  But, the people did not accept Samuel’s reasoning, even though it was the truth.  A king would take their sons and daughters as soldiers, workers, and servants.  He would take the best of their produce and crops and flocks.  At a minimum, the king would take 10%.  “But the people refused to listen to Samuel.” (8:19)

In his discussion with the people, Samuel did skip over the thing which had prompted the people to ask for a king.  That was the failure of his own sons to rule justly.  Their perversion of justice and taking of bribes in part pushed the people to think they would be better off with a king.  It is funny though how we have a hard time reasoning and making decisions.  There is no more likelihood that a judge would be corrupt than a king.  We have all fallen short, there is no one righteous, all have sinned.  It is only by God’s grace that we can live and act rightly.

The people asking for a king was in some ways like when they brought the ark of the covenant to fight their battles.  It reflected their doubt that God would be able to lead them rightly and that He would fight their battles.  They didn’t cry out to God to give them godly leaders.  They knew what they needed.  A king, that would fix everything, right?

Samuel dismissed the people from their assembly, and now we will see what happens next.  Let’s pray and ask the Lord to speak to us from I Samuel 9.

Lord God, guard our hearts from thinking as the Israelites thought.  You are the Sovereign God.  You know what we need when we need it.  Whenever we face doubt or uncertainty or trial or difficulty, give us clarity of thought that we should run to You and not try to figure things out on our own.  Speak to us from Your Word now, we pray.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Let’s read in chapter 9 beginning in verse 1 …

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. 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. –I Samuel 9:1-2

Isn’t it interesting?  There really is nothing new under the sun.  God gives the people what they are looking for.  This guy comes from a wealthy family.   The phrase “man of standing” is the same description given to Boaz in the book of Ruth.  Not only is he from a well to do family, he’s also good looking, and really big.  In terms of what he looks like on the outside, it’s check, check, check.  It is practically no different today in what our culture regards as key leadership attributes.  People look at the externals as evidence of the internals.  Character though is a far more important leadership qualification, and we’ll see into that area of Saul’s life in the coming weeks.

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." 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. –I Samuel 9:3-4

Stories about animals in the Bible often make me smile.  Stories about donkeys sometimes make me laugh out loud.  We usually associate the Israelites with being shepherds.  In fact, this is how they were known as a people during the time of their wandering and in Egypt.  But, you don’t find them worrying about sheep so much.  What you do see them worrying about is their donkeys.  Abraham specifically instructs a servant to stay with his donkey.  My favorite donkey story in the Bible is Jacob’s sons fear about what will happen after being invited Joseph’s house in Genesis 43:18.  “He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys.”  Part of Jacob’s blessing of Judah says that Judah will be able to tether his donkey on a vine.  I assume this blessing intends that Judah will have well-behaved donkeys.  In chapter 8, one of the bad things about a king would be that he would take your donkeys.  That was part of the solemn warning from the Lord.

I read just a little about donkeys while preparing the message.  Donkeys have several advantages.  They don’t tend to be skittish like horses in the face of danger.  At the same time, a donkey won’t do something which puts it in harm’s way.  Teaching a donkey is a lot more about developing trust than it is about having power or control.  The behavior and speech of Balaam’s donkey is consistent with these characteristics.

Donkeys were also an indicator of wealth in ancient times.  There are hints at this throughout the Old Testament, including Job who was known as the wealthiest man in his time, his possession listed with the least quantity is his donkeys.  (Fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys are listed in Job 42)

So, it was a big deal that the donkeys were gone.  It was important enough that Kish sent his own son to go after them.  Again, these place names are not fully identified (Shalisha, Shaalim), but we know that they are in Ephraim.  The territory of Benjamin is directly north of Jerusalem, and Ephraim is north of that.  One map that I saw surmised that Saul set out to the northeast and made a counterclockwise circle turning north then west and finally south coming back to the territory of Benjamin.  Donkeys apparently have really good memories and they can live nearly twice as long as horses, so it may have been that Saul thought he had an idea of where the donkeys might have gone based on a previous incident or even a previous journey or maybe some of the more dominant donkeys had been purchased from that region.

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." 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." 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?" The servant answered him again. "Look," he said, "I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take." (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.) "Good," Saul said to his servant. "Come, let's go." So they set out for the town where the man of God was. –I Samuel 9:5-10

Zuph is back in the territory of Benjamin.  As they likely approach Samuel’s hometown of Ramah, the servant traveling with Saul points out that there is a man of God in this city.  I wonder that the servant didn’t point out to Saul that it was Samuel’s city.  I wonder if there was a general feeling of displeasure with Samuel after the episode where the elders had asked for a king.  I mean, he hadn’t given them a king, right?  He just had sent them home.  Perhaps the servant was being shrewd in not calling Samuel by name.  It may also be that Saul had no interest or knowledge of the things of God.  In later messages, we will get a view of Saul’s character and shortcomings.  Apparently though, the servant was a man of faith at least to the point that he thought it prudent to seek out the man of God.

A quarter of a shekel doesn’t seem like much.  It would have been more of a weight measure than a coin at this time.  Still, a quarter of a shekel is just a bit more than a dime’s weight of silver.  Today, that’d be worth $1.50 on the open market.  We don’t know how much value this was in that culture at that time, but knowing their circumstances it doesn’t seem like a big offering.  Regardless, Saul agrees to go.

This comparison of the word seer and prophet is a difference in word origin.  Our word seer is literally the equivalent of the Hebrew word there.  The person is a see-er, one who sees or one who has visions.  The word prophet is more akin to one who speaks according to the spirit.  Either word can be used meaning one who speak or sees the true God or one who speaks or sees falsely from evil spirits.  You can’t have one without the other.  The prophet must have divine vision or inspiration to prophesy.  A seer that doesn’t profess or tell what they have been shown is indistinguishable from someone who doesn’t see at all.  I think we can take a couple of thoughts away from why is this included in the narrative.  1) Whenever detail like this is included in the Bible, it gives us confidence that what we’re reading is a true accounting even down to what the word choices were at the time.  2) This juxtaposition of seeing and speaking is significant.  Just because we as believers “see” Jesus as our Savior, we must also be faithful to speak what we “see” to others as Romans 10:13-15 points out …

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 

Brothers and sisters, we are the proclaimers of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.  It is not enough to be a see-er, but we too must be profess-ers, ones who speak of the good news, our Savior, Jesus.

 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?" "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. 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." –I Samuel 9:11-13

This is remarkable timing, isn’t it?  Not only did they arrive at a time when the seer was in town.  They arrived at the hour when he would be available.  When is the right time to come?  Now, that’s the right time.  It reminds me of II Corinthians 6:2, “I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.”

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. Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel: "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." 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." –I Samuel 9:14-17

It’s like a perfectly blocked scene.  They’re going in and Saul is coming out.  This may not happen often, but it does happen.  I can remember once meeting John Hopler, who is the executive director of our association of churches, at a Faithwalkers.  I was walking alone into an area at the end of the lobby area at Ridgecrest, and here comes John alone in the opposite direction.  We had a moment or two of one-on-one quiet.  He recognized me and spoke encouraging words to me, and I will always remember that.  If you have that chance, take a moment to speak an encouraging word.  You have no idea how much good that will do.

God tells Samuel to anoint Saul.  Previously, it was the priests who were anointed.  From now on, we will see the king referred to as “the anointed of the Lord.”  We again see the movement toward a kingly priest or a priestly king in Jesus Christ as described in the book of Hebrews.

We already spoke about how the people’s attitude was not right in demanding a king.  And yet, God heard the cry of the people.  I take comfort in that.  God hears my cry even if my motivation may not be perfectly right.  Is anything we do perfectly right?  Take comfort brothers and sisters.  The Lord is listening and He will take care of us.

We catch a glimpse here of what life for a prophet can be like.  God has given Samuel a clear instruction:  time and person.  God confirms the message as Samuel catches sight of Saul.  Wouldn’t that be great if we knew each action we needed to take like this?  I feel like God shares truth with me, but not this level of clarity or detail.

I think we can get bummed out by that sometimes.  We think, “Man if I really had faith, then I would see all these things and know all these things.”  At the same time, I’ve kind of grown to think that I don’t get these kinds of detailed messages because they’re not needed.  God hasn’t asked me to anoint kings.  Therefore, I don’t need this level of detailed instruction.  Don’t get me wrong.  God has given me responsibilities, and I ask Him to supply those needs.

God grows our faith in the midst of obedience when we don’t see the path clearly.  (II Corinthians 5:7, “We walk by faith and not by sight.”)  And so, I imagine that we are given or are told what to do as we have need.  If you find yourself called to anoint a king, then be confident that God will give you the clarity that you need to fulfill that responsibility.  If you don’t have the clarity when needed, then cry out to God and wait on his direction.  Even in Samuel’s case, we don’t know how much time has passed between the end of chapter 8 and this exchange in chapter 9.  Is it days or weeks or months or more?  Samuel only got word from God the day before Saul arrived, not sooner.

Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, "Would you please tell me where the seer's house is?" "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. 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?" –I Samuel 9:18-20

What an introduction!  Saul approaches Samuel by simply asking for directions.  Excuse me, can you tell me which way to seer’s house?  Samuel’s reply must be completely unexpected and nearly overwhelming.  I counted eight separate things which could be a conversation in themselves.

1. I’m the guy you’re looking for.  I’m the seer.

2. Go ahead of me to the high place.  Somewhere you have no plan or intent to go.

3. You’re going to eat with me, and the whole town is waiting on me.

4. You’re spending the night.

5. Tomorrow, I’ll let you go your way.

6. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you all that is in your heart.

7. Don’t worry about the donkeys because they have been found.

8. All the desire of Israel is turned to you and your family line.

In this midst of this list, Samuel does take time to allay Saul’s fears.  Don’t worry.  The donkeys are okay, and I will let you go tomorrow.  I am also going to tell you what you need to know and more.

Although we don’t think about it in our culture so much with the possible exception of opening the door for a lady or waiting for her to be seated first, sequence is important in many cultures.  Sending Saul in front of Samuel makes him stand out.  If we had a television news crew on the scene, they would be bursting to know who is this person that Samuel had placed before himself? Eating with someone is another symbol of equality and honor especially at an invitation-only event like this.  Saul would be sitting at the head table.  Then, he’s going to stay with Samuel overnight.  This is another privilege.  He’s going to have significant private audience time.  This all proves Saul has VIP status.  He is a very important person.

All these things give credibility to what comes at the end of Samuel’s remarks.  All the desire of Israel is turned to you and your family line.  And so …

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?"—I Samuel 9:21

Saul doesn’t answer, “Huh?!” or “No way!” or “Shut up!”  He makes a simple statement of incredulity.  “Look, Samuel.  I hear what you’re saying, but maybe there’s been a mistake.  I’m kind of a nobody.  I’m just a Benjamite.  I’m not a Levite or an Ephraimite or a Judah-ite.  My tribe is the smallest.  Even more so, my clan is the least of the families within our tribe.  I’m not worthy of all this honor you are bestowing on me.”

And yet, this is a recurring theme in the books of Samuel.  God raises up the lowly.  It is also a fulfillment of Hannah’s prayer from chapter 2 …

The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.—I Samuel 2:7-8

And so it is with us.  Earlier, I mentioned that none of us has done right.  We have all fallen short.  God demonstrated His love for us in this: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) We have been lifted up from the place of our unholiness and our inadequacy. 

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.   And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus … Ephesians 2:4-6

So let us come now with great rejoicing that despite the fact that we too are small and unworthy, God has made the way that we can come and have an unbelievable life of peace and joy with Him forever.  The answer to Saul’s question is the same for us and for him.  Why are such amazing things said about us?  Because of God in His infinite mercy through His Son Jesus Christ.  Praise God!  Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, we are so grateful for your sacrifice.  You are so good to us.  Thank You for these precious promises where we are lifted up and seated with you in the heavenly realms.  Thank You that we have life in You.  Thank You that we are no longer condemned when we place our trust in You Jesus.  You are our gracious God.  We praise You.  Amen.