1 Samuel

1 Samuel 9: The LORD sends a king

Begin in prayer

Before we follow Saul as he searches for lost donkeys, and learn that the LORD hears His people's cry and sends the king He chooses, let us pray together. Ask Him to hear us, and to show us Jesus.

I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.

Psalm 116:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You hear the cries of Your people and send the leaders You choose, and help us to trust Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Saul went out to look for his father’s lost donkeys, and he searched the hill country without finding them. His servant suggested they ask the man of God in the city, whose words always came true. The LORD had told Samuel the day before that He would send a man from Benjamin to save His people from the Philistines. When Saul met Samuel at the gate, Samuel told him the donkeys were found and invited him to eat with him. Samuel said that all that is desirable in Israel was for Saul’s family, and Saul answered that he came from the smallest tribe.

As you read 1 Samuel 9, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD looks on His people in their need, and He sends the king He chooses.

Saul came from Benjamin, the smallest tribe, and he was a tall and impressive young man (verses 1, 2 and 21). He went out only to look for his father's lost donkeys, and he searched the hill country without finding them (verses 3 and 4). His servant told him of a man of God in the city, and a prophet was then called a seer (verses 6 to 9). The LORD had already told Samuel the day before that He would send a man from Benjamin. That man was to be anointed prince over Israel and save the people from the Philistines (verses 15 and 16). The LORD gave the reason, that He had looked on His people because their cry had come to Him (verse 16). He had spoken of seeing and hearing Israel's cry in Egypt too (Exodus 3 verse 7). Saul did not know it, yet the LORD's word to Samuel shows who was leading his steps. The LORD hears the cry of His people, even a people who had asked for a king like the nations.

How does 1 Samuel 9 show us that the LORD looks on His people in their need, and sends the king He chooses?

The LORD hears the cry of His people.

The LORD told Samuel He had looked on His people, because their cry had come to Him (verse 16). The Philistines still pressed Israel, and the people needed a deliverer. He spoke the same way in Egypt, when He saw Israel's affliction and heard their cry (Exodus 3 verse 7). He answered even though the people had asked for a king like the nations.

The LORD chooses the king He will send.

The LORD told Samuel a day ahead that He would send a man out of Benjamin (verses 15 and 16). When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said, here is the man (verse 17). Saul was only looking for lost donkeys (verse 3). The LORD sent a man to save Israel from the Philistines. God sent His Son to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1 verse 21).

The LORD lifts up a man from the smallest tribe.

Samuel told Saul the donkeys were found, and he spoke of all that was desirable in Israel (verse 20). Saul answered that he was of the smallest tribe and the least family (verse 21). Samuel gave him the place of honor and the reserved portion at the feast (verses 22 to 24). At the end Samuel told him to stand still, so that he could hear God's message (verse 27).

Memorise

I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.

1 Samuel 9:16

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I cry to the LORD, and do I come to Jesus for forgiveness?

The LORD said to Samuel, “I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.” He sent a man to save them from the Philistines, though they had asked for a king like the nations.

We cry out too, for we are lost in sin and cannot find our own way home. God sent His own Son to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19 verse 10). Jesus carried the wrath our sin deserved to the cross, and He laid down His life for His sheep. The Father raised Him from the dead, and His finished work is enough for every lost sinner who comes.

Cry to Him today. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus, the Saviour God has sent. He receives every sinner who trusts Him, and their sins are forgiven.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD hears the cries of His people, and that He sends the leaders He chooses. Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He hears every cry, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.

Psalm 103:13

Father, thank You that You hear the cries of Your people and send the King You choose. Thank You for Jesus, who came to seek and to save what was lost. Turn us from our sin, and help us to trust Him. Teach us to bring every cry to You this week. Amen.