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SAUL AND HIS SERVANT FIND SAMUEL

I Samuel 9:14-27

Victor M. Eskew

 

1.       Outline the text:

 

i.                    SAUL REVEALED TO SAMEUL (I Sam. 9:14-17)

ii.                  SAMUEL’S REVELATION TO SAUL (I Sam. 9:18-21)

iii.                SAMUEL RECEIVES SAUL (I Sam. 9:22-25)

iv.                SAMUEL’S REQUEST OF SAUL (I Sam. 9:26-27)

 

2.       Who met Saul and the servant as they entered the city? (I Sam. 9:14)

 

And as they went up into the city:  and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go unto the high place.

 

A.     Samuel

 

3.       T – F    The Lord had told Samuel about Saul the day before they met. (I Sam. 9:15).

 

Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying.

 

A.     True

 

B.      NOTE:  Some make the process of inspiration very difficult.  Here, however, we see how God revealed things to the prophets.  He spoke them directly into their ear (See Matt. 10:27).

 

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light:  and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

 

4.       “…and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel” (I Sam. 9:16).

 

5.       Define:  anoint (I Sam. 9:16)

 

A.     Lexicons

1.       Strong (4886):  to rub with oil

2.       BDB:  to smear, spread a liquid

 

B.      Anointing was symbolic of empowerment, blessing, and protection from God.

1.       The anointing oil was a made according to the command given by God (See Exo. 30:31-33).

2.       The person upon whose head the oil as poured was separated from the rest of Israel.

3.       Three groups of people were anointed with oil.

a.       The high priest (Exo. 29:7)

b.      The kings of Israel (I Sam. 10:1)

c.       The prophets (I Kings 19:16)

 

6.       Define:  captain (I Sam. 9:16)

 

A.     Strong (5057):  a commander (as occupying the front)   :- chief, excellent thing, (chief) governor, leader, noble, prince, (chief) ruler.

 

B.      BDB:  leader, ruler, captain, prince

 

7.       Who would Saul deliver the Israelites from? (I Sam. 9:16)

 

…that he may say my people out of the hand of the Philistines:  for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

 

A.     Philistines

 

8.       T – F    Saul was going to reign over God’s people (I Sam. 9:17)

 

And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of!  This same shall reign over my people.

 

A.     True

 

9.       Define:  reign (I Sam. 9:17)

 

A.     Strong (6113):  rule

 

B.      BDB:  to be restrained, be stayed, be under restraint

 

10.   T – F    Saul knew Samuel the moment he met him (I Sam. 9:18)

 

Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.

 

A.     False.  He asked Samuel where the seer’s house is.

 

11.   Where did Samuel tell Saul to go (I Sam. 9:19)

 

And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer:  go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me today, and tomorrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.

 

A.     He told Saul to go up with him to the high place.

 

B.      Notice that Saul would “go up before” Samuel.  This gesture was a sign of respect.  The superior would be before the inferior.

 

12.   What is the meaning of the phrase:  “…and will tell thee all that is in thine heart”? (I Sam. 9:19)

 

A.     Some think that he would tell him about the donkeys and the condition of his father since these had been upon his heart.

 

B.      However, he will tell Saul of these things in the next verse.  When he met with Saul he would reveal things to him that were in his heart generally proving to him that he was truly a prophet of God.

 

13.   T – F Samuel did not tell Saul anything about the asses that were lost (I Sam. 9:20).

 

And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found…

 

A.     False

14.   What is the meaning of the words:  “all the desire of Israel”? (I Sam. 9:20)

 

…And on whom is all the desire of Israel?  Is it not on thee, and on all thy father’s house?

 

A.     The desire of Israel had been for a king (I Sam. 8:4).

 

B.      Since God would make Saul their king, their desire, their longing, would be him.

 

C.     Strong translates the word “desire” (2532) as “delight.”  He also defines it as “goodly, precious, pleasant.” 

1.       He would be pleasant to the Israelites (See I Sam. 10:24).

2.       He would be precious to the people since he would be the one to fight their battles.

 

15.   What two excuses did Saul give as to why he should not be selected as king? (I Sam. 9:21)

 

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 Benjamin?  Wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

 

A.     He was of the smallest tribe.  (NOTE:  The story of Benjamin’s destruction is revealed in Judges 19 &20).

 

B.      His family was the least of the families of Benjamin

 

C.     LESSON:  Here we see God lifting up a very humble and modest man.  These are very positive qualities that Saul possessed.

 

16.   Where did Samuel bring his two guests? (I Sam. 9:22)

 

And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlor…

 

A.     He brought them into his parlor.

 

B.      There were dining halls constructed on the high place so those who attended could gather to eat their meal.  This was one of those places (See I Chron. 9:26).

 

17.   Where did he sit them? (I Sam. 9:22)

 

... and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden…

 

A.     They sat in the chiefest place

 

B.      They were sat at the head table.  Again, it manifests respect given to a person of great position and power.

 

18.   How many guests were present? (I Sam. 9:23)

 

… which were about thirty persons.

 

A.     30

 

B.      To be in the presence of the prophet, these must have been some of the important people of the city, perhaps of Israel.

19.   T – F    Samuel had set aside a particular portion of food. (I Sam. 9:24).

 

And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

 

A.     Saul truly trusted the word of God.  God had told him that he would see the anointed of God’s people that day.  Thus, he commanded the cook to set a specific portion aside.

 

B.      This would be the best of the food.  Another show of respect for Saul.

 

20.   To whom was this special portion given? (I Sam. 9:24)

 

And the cook took the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul.  And Samuel said, Behold that which is left!  Set it before thee, and eat:  for unto this time hath is been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people.  So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.

 

A.     The shoulder was set aside to be eaten.

 

B.      The right shoulder was for the priests (Lev. 7:32).  Thus, Samuel allowed Saul to eat of the portion that fell to him as the prophet and judge of Israel.

 

21.   After eating at the high place, where did Samuel take Saul to commune with him? (I Sam. 9:25)

 

And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.

 

A.     He took him to his house.

 

B.      Communed:

1.       Strong (1696):  to speak

2.       BDB:  to speak, declare, converse

 

C.     It was during this time that Samuel told him all that was in his heart (See I Sam. 9:19). 

1.       It would have been interesting to have heard the things that were said that night.

2.       It would have been more interesting to see the reaction of Saul as Samuel spoke to him.

 

D.     Keil and Delitzsch make this statement about the conversation:  “…O. v. Gerlach's conjecture is probably the correct one, viz., that Samuel ‘talked with Saul concerning the deep religious and political degradation of the people of God, the oppression of the heathen, the causes of the inability of the Israelites to stand against these foes, the necessity for a conversion of the people, and the want of a leader who was entirely devoted to the Lord’” (e-sword, K&D).

 

22.   T – F    Samuel intended to send Saul home the next day (I Sam. 9:26)

 

And they arose early:  and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away.  And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

 

A.     True

 

 

 

23.   What is “the spring of the day”? (I Sam. 9:26)

 

A.     This was the dawn of the morning.

 

24.   T – F    Samuel told Saul to send the servant on before him.  (I Sam. 9:27)

 

And 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,)…

 

A.     True

 

25.   Why did Samuel want to be alone with Saul? (I Sam. 9:28)

 

…but stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of the Lord.

 

A.     Samuel wanted to show Saul the word of the Lord.

 

B.      Samuel was always faithful in his calling as a prophet.  He revealed to others exactly what God had authorized him to say.

 

C.     Saul would know that his words were from the Lord because the conversation the prophet had with him the night before tell him all that was in his heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAMUEL ANOINTS SAUL AS CAPTAIN

I Samuel 10:1-12

Homework

Victor M. Eskew

 

1.       Outline the text:

 

v.                  I Samuel 10:1

vi.                I Samuel 10:2-2-7

vii.              I Samuel 10:8

viii.            I Samuel 10:9-12

 

2.       What did Samuel pour upon the head of Saul? (I Sam. 10:1)

 

3.       T – F    Samuel also kissed Saul. (I Sam. 10:1)

 

4.       For what purpose was Saul anointed? (I Sam. 10:1)

 

5.       Define:  captain (I Sam. 10:1)

 

6.       What four signs were given to Saul to show that God had authorized this anointing? (I Sam. 10:2-6).

 

A.

 

B.

 

C.

 

D.

 

7.       Where would Saul meet two men who would inform him that the donkeys had been found? (I Sam. 10:2)

 

8.       Who was also sorrowing for Saul? (I Sam. 10:2)

 

9.       Who would Saul meet at the plain of Tabor? (I Sam. 10:3)

 

10.   The men would be carrying a different object.  Name the objects they would be carrying. (I Sam. 10:3).

 

A.                                                        B.                                             C.

 

11.   What two things would the men do to Saul? (I Sam. 10:4)

 

A.

 

B.

 

12.   Who would Saul meet at the hill of God? (I Sam. 10:5)

 

13.   What four musical instruments would they have with them? (I Sam. 10:5)

14.   What action would they be engaged in? (I Sam. 10:5)

 

15.   Define:  prophesying (I Sam. 10:5)

 

16.   T – F    The Spirit of the Lord would come upon Saul, but he would not prophesy. (I Sam. 10:6)

 

17.   “…and thou shalt be turned into ___________________  _________________” (I Sam. 10:6)

 

18.   What does the above phrase mean?

 

 

 

19.   What does I Samuel 10:7 authorize Saul to do?

 

20.   Where was Samuel going to meet Saul in order to offering burnt offerings and sacrifices? (I Sam. 10:8)

 

21.   How long was Saul to wait for Samuel? (I Sam. 10:8)

 

22.   T – F    God gave Saul “another heart” that day. (I Sam. 10:9)

 

23.   T – F    None of the signs came to pass (I Sam. 10:9)

 

24.   When Saul came to the hill of God, what came upon him that enabled him to prophesy? (I Sam. 10:10)

 

25.   What did the people say who witnessed Saul prophesying? (I Sam. 10:11)

 

26.   Explain these words:  “And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father?” (I Sam. 10:12).

 

 

 

27.   What statement eventually became a proverb? (I Sam. 10:12)