1 Sam 9 - 1 Sam 1-:1-6

 1Sa 9:1-3

1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. 2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a 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. 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. 

Summary

1. vs1 Man of Benjamin named Kish H7027 = " bent" 

1. from H6983 - lay bait or lure, lay a snare, lure, a bow

1. Isa 29:20-21 

20 For the ruthless will vanish, and mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down 21 those who make a person appear to be the offender in a lawsuit, who set a trap for someone who is making his defense in court, and push aside the innocent with specious arguments.

2. Vs1 Kish - a mighty man of substance, valor, strength, wealth, power…

3. Vs2 He had a son named Saul

1. Youth

2. Goodly - as in looks or physical appearance 

3. There wasn't a goodlier person in Israel

4. He was taller and maybe broader shoulders than anyone else in Israel.

5. Based on Saul's description, what were the people in Israel desiring? 

1. Tall, broad shoulders, handsome

4. Vs3 The asses of Kish, were lost. 

5. Vs3 Kish tasks his son Saul and a servant (or boy) with finding the lost asses of his father.

1. Is Saul a shepherd? Unsure?

2. The people aren't interested in the shepherds that God raises up for them.

3. They seem to be more interested in the type of shepherds or kings that the neighboring nations have.

4. Evidently, handsome, tall, physically intimidating shepherds or kings or judges.

5. So God begins the process of giving the wayward sheep of Israel to Saul. The physically imposing, handsome and tall man who isn't really a shepherd. At least in God's eyes.

6. Think back to God's warning to the people in the last chapter. What words did God use?

1. Selfish, He will rule over you. He will take from you and use it for what he wants. He will take your sons and daughters and use them for his purpose.

7. What should God's shepherd be like?

 

1. David? Killed lion and bear to save sheep

2. Jesus? Leave 99 to rescue 1. Good shepherd

8. Notice that Saul looks after asses while Jesus and David look after sheep

1 Sam 9:4-9

4 And he passed through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. 5 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 off caring for the asses, and be anxious for us. 6 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man that is held in honor; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we 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 in my 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 said, Come, and let us go to the seer; for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) 

Summary

1. Vs4 - Show map of Saul.jpeg

2. Vs4-5 

1. From Gibeah?

2. thru My Ephraim 

3. thru Shalisha 

4. thru Shalim 

5. thru land of Benjamin

6. Came to Zuph

3. Vs5 Saul "let's go back so my dad. My dad is prob more anxious about us then the asses".

4. Vs6 Servant or boy says "there is a man of God in town who is respected. Everything he predicts comes true. Maybe he can tell us where to travel to in order to find the sheep."

Who is being spoken of? Samuel

What town does Samuel live in? Ramah

The last town we looked at from the map (Zuph) is next to Ramah. Show on map.

5. Vs7 Saul: "if we go, what could we bring the prophet? We have no bread or presents to give him. What is there to give him?

1. Did it cost money to see a prophet? Prob a sign of respect

6. Vs8 The servant answers "Hey, I have a quarter of a shekel of silver in my hand. We can give it to the prophet so that he'll tell us where to go.

7. Vs9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, Come, and let us go to the seer; for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

1. what does this verse mean? Why is it given to us?

2. Prob added later in history

3. Assume it may be important later for the reader to know that a seer = a prophet

1 Sam 9:10-17

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 As they went up the ascent 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 thee: make haste now, for he is come to-day into the city; for the people have a sacrifice to-day in the high place. 13 As soon as ye are come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he goeth 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 are bidden. Now therefore get you up; for at this time ye shall find him. 14 And they went up to the city; and as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place. 15 Now Jehovah had revealed unto Samuel 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 prince over my people Israel; and he shall 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, Jehovah said unto him, Behold, the man of whom I spake to thee! this same shall have authority over my people. 

Summary

1. Vs10 Saul says to his servant: "Great idea! Let's go". And the head into the town.

1. What town? Ramah

2. Vs11 So they head up the hill to town and meet some young women heading out to draw water. (I'm assuming they are getting water from the well?)

What do they say to the women? Is the seer here? 

So as time goes on, the term "seer" is no longer used and seers are called "prophets".

3. Vs12 The women respond, “Yes, he’s right there ahead of you. Hurry, for he came to town just today because there is a sacrifice for the people on the high place today."

4. Vs13 con't "in town, you'll find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people don’t eat until he arrives, because he must bless the sacrifice and then after that those who are invited will eat. So go up right now because you can find him now.”

5. Vs14 They go up to hill to the city, and as they enter into the city, Samuel was coming out to meet them on his way to the high place.

6. Vs15-16 God had revealed to Samuel the previous day that He was gonna send:

A man out of Benjamin

And you need to anoint him to be prince (leader) over Israel. He will save my people from the Philistines. For I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

Why does God say this? When did the people cry to him?

7. Vs17 When Samuel sees Saul, God tells Samuel "This is the man I told you about. He will rule over my people."

1 Sam 9:18-22

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 in the morning I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thy heart. 20 And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for thee, and for 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 to me after this manner? 22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest-chamber, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, who were about thirty persons. 

Summary

1. Vs18 ironically Saul goes up to Samuel and asks him if he knows where the seer is.

2. Vs19 Samuel responds and says I am the seer. Go up to the high place and eat with me today and tomorrow I will tell you everything that is on my heart.

1.  The assumption here is that Samuel and his servant are going to sleep over in town

3. Vs20 Samuel: oh and by the way

1. The asses that you've been looking for these past 3 days, don't worry about them because they have been found.

2. to whom is all Israel looking, if not to you and all of your father’s household?" 

1. What does this referred to? A king

4. Vs21 saul replies:

1. I am from the least of the 12 tribes of Israel, Benjamin

2. My family is the least important family of Benjamin

3. Saul says why are you speaking like this to me or as if I have some value?

4. What adjectives might we use so far to describe Saul?

1. Humble

 

2. overwhelmed

3. faithfully doing the work of Dad

4. Sensitive to the heart of his father

5. listens to his servant advice

5. Vs22 Samuel:

1.  brings Saul and his servant inside of the feast and has them sit in the chiefest seats.

2. Amongst those that were invited which was about 30 people.

3. Sauls reaction? Probably astonishment and confusion

Note: The septuagent has this verse as:

1Sa 9:22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them to the inn, and set them there a place among the chief of those that were called, about seventy men.

30 versus 70?

30 - being 3 x 10, denotes in a higher degree the perfection of Divine order, as marking the right moment. 

CHRIST was thirty years of age at the commencement of His ministry, Luke 3:23. 

David was thirty when he became king (2Sam 5:4). 

Joseph (Gen 41:46) was thirty when he was raised up to 2nd under Pharaoh in Egypt.

Three denotes divine perfection.

Ten denotes ordinal perfection.

70 another combination of two of the perfect numbers, seven and ten. We have seen something of the significance of their sum under the number seventeen; their product is no less significant. 

As compared with the sum of two numbers, the product exhibits the significance of each in an intensified form.

Hence 7 x 10 signifies perfect spiritual order carried out with all spiritual power and significance. Both spirit and order are greatly emphasised.

Seven denotes spiritual perfection

Ten denotes ordinal perfection

The Table of Nations is a list found in Genesis 10 that includes the list of the founders of 70 nations descended from Noah's three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The list includes 26 descendants of Shem, 30 descendants of Ham, and 14 descendants of Japheth.

Seventy elders furnished Israel's great Tribunal, Exodus 24:1; Numbers 11:16, afterwards called the Sanhedrim.

Seventy disciples sent out by the Lord prefigure the mighty host which followed them (Luke 10:1,17) in spirit and in power.

70 years in Babylon for Judah

And seventy sevens were determined upon it to complete its transgression, and bring in everlasting righteousness for it, Daniel 9:24

1 Sam 9:23-27

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 thigh, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold, that which hath been reserved! set it before thee and eat; because unto the appointed time hath it been kept for thee, for 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, he communed with Saul upon the housetop. 26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. 27 As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand thou still first, that I may cause thee to hear the word of God.

Summary

1. V23 Samuel tells the cook, bring the portion (of the sacrifice) that I gave you to set aside. 

2. Vs24 so the cook brought over the thigh (or shoulder) and set it before Saul. So Saul (and probably his servant) eats with Samuel that day. 

And in the eyes of the others sitting there, it seems to be a testimony to them as to Saul's importance (Septuagint). 

Why the thigh (or shoulder)?

That was the portion for the priest.

3. Vs25 They came down from the high place into the city and Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof. 

1. Per Septuagint, Samuel also prepared a lodging place for Saul on the roof.

4. Vs26 At daybreak, Samuel called up to Saul, Get up! Time to go. So Samuel and go outside.

5. Vs27 At the edge of town, Samuel tells Saul to send his servant on ahead so he could speak to him privately. And declare God's word to him.

1Sa 10:1-6

1 Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not that Jehovah hath anointed thee to be prince over his inheritance? 2 When thou art departed from me to-day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre, in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found; and, lo, thy father hath left off caring for the asses, and is anxious for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? 3 Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the oak of Tabor; and there shall meet thee there three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: 4 and they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread, which thou shalt receive of their hand. 5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a timbrel, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they will be prophesying: 6 and the Spirit of Jehovah will come mightily upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

Eph 4:23-32 

23 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. 25 Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need. 29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. 30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.