1 Samuel 9:2 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.
Chapter 9 gives us a good look at Saul, tall and handsome, from a respected family with at least some wealth. He seems to be respectful of his father. (He goes after the missing donkeys and doesn’t want to be gone so long his father starts to worry about his safety.) He understands the function of the man of God, also called a seer, and the custom of bringing something to the seer when seeking information. On the surface, he seems a wonderful candidate for king.
1 Samuel 9:3 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 look for the donkeys.”
But nowhere in this chapter is there any mention of Saul’s heart or his relationship with God. He seems as far away from God as the Israelites who continue to cry out for their will instead of God’s. And as much as I want to stand in judgement of the easily mislead Israelites who have gotten caught up in appearances instead of God, I realize how easily it happens, I recognize how often I have been similarly sidetracked in my own life.
1 Samuel 9:7 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?”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for reminding me that the world places importance on appearance but that You are concerned about the heart. Help me to avoid worldly snares by drawing closer to You. Always. Amen.
1 Samuel 9:17 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.”
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.