1 Samuel 9:21 Commentary and Bible Study

Then when Samuel announces that he is to be king, Saul answers and says, ‘Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?’ He cannot understand it. He has no claim to be king, apart from the fact that his father is rich and powerful. But Samuel gives him various signs to confirm his appointment. Actually that wasn't true, as three other verses tell us. But Saul is very humbled by this idea that he, of all people, is to be king. And he doesn’t seem to like the idea very much at first. He is overwhelmed by it, and that is why uses rather extravagant language about the meanness and obscurity of his family.Then the narrative goes on, and Samuel took Saul and his servants, brought them into the parlour, made him sit in the chief place, as the guest of honour, and instructed the cook. ‘Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.’ The cook took up the shoulder and set it before Saul. And Saul had the honour of the chief place in that supper. Saul hears this and realises he is in the presence of a prophet who knows what God is doing through these events. He makes clear to Saul that he had previously spoken to the servants to put aside a portion for Saul, even before he had come to the city, because the Lord had revealed to Samuel that this meeting would take place. Saul must submit to the Lord’s will because something is taking place which is far greater than he had realised. Soon there will be a private conversation between them. There will be the anointing of Saul as king. There will be signs, and the next phase will be the introduction of the monarchy completely and entirely. A punishment on Israel: that is what it will be; also a warning and a message to the New Testament church. It will be something like the law itself: a means to bring the people to hunger and thirst after the true King. Then you read as the chapter comes to a close: ‘As they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.’ This is to be a private anointing because it will be on another occasion that Saul is publicly chosen before all the people (1 Samuel 10:20-24), but not before Saul has been shown the prophetic signs, and the people have been rebuked again for asking for a king.