Saul and the Lost Donkeys

A whole nation is gathered to meet its first king. The name is called out. Everyone turns to look. And the new king is nowhere to be found.

For centuries Israel had no king. God was their king, and he raised up leaders when they were needed. But now the people wanted to be like the nations around them. They asked the old prophet Samuel for a king, and Samuel warned them what a king would cost. Still they insisted. And God told Samuel, give them one. Meanwhile, in the hill country of Benjamin, a farmer named Kish had a problem. His donkeys had wandered off.

Kish sent his son Saul to find them. Saul was a striking young man, head and shoulders taller than anyone around him. He and a servant searched for three days, through the hills, from one district to the next. No donkeys. Finally Saul said, “Let's go home, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.” But the servant had an idea. “There's a man of God in this town. Everything he says comes true. Maybe he can tell us which way to go.” They had no bread left to offer him, but the servant had a quarter of a shekel of silver. That would do. At the edge of town they met some girls going out to draw water. “Is the seer here?” “Yes, hurry. He has just arrived for the sacrifice.”

What Saul didn't know was that God had spoken to Samuel the day before. “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him to lead my people.” So when Saul walked up and asked, “Where is the seer's house?” the old man answered, “I am the seer.” Before Saul could say anything else, Samuel went on. “Don't worry about the donkeys. They've been found. And who is all Israel's hope fixed on? Isn't it on you?” Saul was baffled. “I'm from Benjamin, the smallest tribe. My family is the least important in it. Why are you talking to me like this?” But Samuel sat him at the head of the table, in front of thirty guests, and had the cook bring the best portion, kept back just for him.

Early next morning, at the edge of town, Samuel sent the servant on ahead. Then he took a small flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head, and kissed him. “The Lord has anointed you to lead his people.” He gave Saul three signs to watch for. Two men would tell him the donkeys were found. Three men would give him bread. And a band of prophets would come down the hill, playing music, and the Spirit of God would come on him too. As Saul turned to go, God gave him a new heart, and every sign came true that very day. People who knew him stared. “What has happened to Kish's son? Is Saul among the prophets now?” When his uncle asked where he had been, Saul told him all about the donkeys. About the kingdom, he said nothing.

Then Samuel called the whole nation together at Mizpah. Lots were drawn, tribe by tribe, family by family. Benjamin. Then the family of Matri. Then Saul, son of Kish. But Saul wasn't there. They asked the Lord, and the answer came: “He has hidden himself among the baggage.” They ran and brought him out, and when he stood among the people, he was taller than all of them. “Do you see the one the Lord has chosen?” said Samuel. “There is no one like him.” And the people shouted, “God save the king!” Not everyone cheered. Some sneered, “How can this man save us?” and brought him no gifts. But Saul held his peace.

Notice the oil. In Israel, kings were not crowned first, they were anointed, with oil poured on the head as a sign that God had chosen and set them apart. Priests were anointed too. The Hebrew word for an anointed one is mashiach. It comes into English as Messiah, and in Greek it became Christos, Christ. So when later generations longed for God's anointed king, the word they used reached all the way back to moments like this one.

Saul and the Lost Donkeys. You'll find it in First Samuel, chapters 9 and 10. Saul went out looking for donkeys, and God was already looking for him. So here's the question to carry with you. When God calls you to something new, do you step forward, or do you hide among the baggage?