The Lord Chooses Saul

INTRODUCTION: In this lesson, the people of Israel are granted their request for a king. This lesson tells of Saul’s call, anointing and presentation to the people. He is all they could have wanted: the strong, silent type of hero. Initially, Saul shows much humility and will be used of God to deliver Israel. Later, his pride gets in the way.

1. SAUL SEEKS HIS FATHERS PROPERTY (1 Samuel 9:1-5)
1. His Father Kish (1 Samuel 9:1)
1. A man of Benjamin
2. A mighty man of power
2. His Person (1 Samuel 9:2)
1. Strong; a choice young man
2. Handsome; goodly: There was not a goodlier person in all Israel.
3. Tall; perhaps a foot taller than anyone else of the children of Israel from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people
4. NOTE: God was giving to Israel what they wanted (1 Samuel 8:19-20).  Contrast David when God chose him (1 Samuel 16:6-12).
3. His Search (1 Samuel 9:3-5)
1. His lost property (1 Samuel 9:3)
1. The asses of Kish were lost. NOTE: An ass is a kind of animal resembling a horse but having longer ears and a shorter mane, as the wild ass of Africa. Donkeys and burros are domesticated asses. They are stubborn animals but are prized for their ability to do heavy work (see Numbers 22:22-31).
2. Saul was instructed to take a servant and go seek the asses.
2. The fruitless search (1 Samuel 9:4-5)
1. Five territories covered but no asses found (1 Samuel 9:4-5)
2. Saul and his servant cease their searching (1 Samuel 9:5).
2. SAUL GOES TO SEE SAMUEL (1 Samuel 9:6-14)
1. The Decision to Go (1 Samuel 9:6-10)
1. The servants suggestion (1 Samuel 9:6; cp. 2 Kings 5:13)
2. Sauls concern (1 Samuel 9:7-8)
3. The prophets title seer (1 Samuel 9:9); notice how the Bible deals with supposed archaic words; it defines them in context without changing them.
4. The trip to the city (1 Samuel 9:10)
5. NOTE: The words seer, seers and seers occur 28 times in the Bible all in the Old Testament. The title refers to those who see that which others do not (1 Samuel 3:1, 21).
2. Their Arrival at the City (1 Samuel 9:11-14)
1. Up the hill to the city (1 Samuel 9:11)
2. On a day of sacrifice (1 Samuel 9:12-13)
3. To the high place (1 Samuel 9:14)
3. SAUL MEETS WITH SAMUEL (1 Samuel 9:15-27)
1. Gods Message to Samuel (1 Samuel 9:15-17)
1. The day before Saul came (1 Samuel 9:15-16)
1. That one would come tomorrow
2. That he would be anointed to be captain over Israel
3. That God had heard the cry of His people
2. The day Saul came (1 Samuel 9:17)
1. Behold the man.
2. He shall reign.
2. Sauls Meal with Samuel (1 Samuel 9:18-24)
1. Samuels message (1 Samuel 9:18-20)
1. I am the seer (1 Samuel 9:19).
2. We will eat tomorrow (1 Samuel 9:19).
3. I will tell thee all that is in thine heart (1 Samuel 9:19).
4. The asses are found (1 Samuel 9:20).
5. The desire of Israel is on thee (1 Samuel 9:20).
2. Sauls humility (1 Samuel 9:21) NOTE: This will change.
3. Their meal (1 Samuel 9:22-24)
4. NOTE: Saul was lifted up to a place of importance when his heart was humble. This is Gods practice (Judges 6:14-16; Matthew 23:12). But many who begin in humility, fall in pride after they have tasted success (1 Samuel 15:17-19, 22-23; Proverbs 16:18).
3. Samuels Word to Saul (1 Samuel 9:25-27)
1. A message in the morning (1 Samuel 9:25-26; Psalm 5:3)
2. A message in private (1 Samuel 9:27a; Proverbs 18:1)
3. A message in stillness (1 Samuel 9:27b; Psalm 46:10)
4. NOTE: Compare this with how God speaks to us.
4. SAMUEL ANOINTS SAUL (1 Samuel 10:1-16)
1. Samuel Anoints Saul to Be King (1 Samuel 10:1).
1. He poured the oil on his head.
2. He kissed him.
3. He declared him captain over Gods inheritance.
2. Samuel Promises Signs to Assure Saul of His Call (1 Samuel 10:2-8).
1. Two men by Rachels sepulchre (1 Samuel 10:2)
2. Three men on the plain of Tabor (1 Samuel 10:3-4)
3. A company of prophets at the hill of God (1 Samuel 10:5-7)
1. They will come with instruments of music (1 Samuel 10:5).
2. They will prophesy (1 Samuel 10:5).
3. The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you (1 Samuel 10:6).
1. You will prophesy.
2. You will be turned into another man.
4. When these signs come unto you (1 Samuel 10:7)
1. Do as the occasion serves.
2. The Lord is with you.
4. I will meet you in Gilgal (1 Samuel 10:8).
3. Saul Prophesies among the Prophets (1 Samuel 10:9-13).
1. God gives him another heart (1 Samuel 10:9-10).
2. The people make a proverb (1 Samuel 10:11-13).
4. Saul Returns Home to His Uncle (1 Samuel 10:14-16).
5. SAMUEL ANNOUNCES SAUL (1 Samuel 10:17-27)
1. He Brought the Tribes to Receive Their King (1 Samuel 10:17-19).
2. Saul Was Chosen to be Their King (1 Samuel 10:20-21a).
3. Saul Was Found and Presented to the People (1 Samuel 10:21b-25).
4. Saul Was Followed by a Band of Men (1 Samuel 10:26-27).

CONCLUSION: The knowledge that Saul had a bad end should not keep us from seeing much good in his beginning. He sought the Lord and was given a new heart to serve Him. He reacted in humility to his call, and God gave him a band of men whose hearts God had touched. May we all approach our service to God in this way.