Unexpected Honors

God had told Samuel to be on the lookout for the man He would send, and He then pointed Saul out when he appeared in the gates of Ramah. Samuel, therefore, knows that he is looking at the future king of Israel. But Saul has no idea that the man for whom he is searching is right in front of him. He doesn’t know Samuel, and somehow he misses the fact that Samuel is the focus of the crowd’s attention. It is highly ironic, therefore, that Saul walks up to Samuel himself to ask for directions to the prophet’s house. Happily, Samuel quickly lets him know that his search is over, that he is the prophet.

However, instead of asking, “What may I do for you?” or some similar question, Samuel begins to say things that sound quite strange to Saul. First of all, Samuel invites Saul to come with him up to the high place and to participate in the sacrifice and the accompanying feast, and then o spend the night with him. When tomorrow comes, Samuel promises, ” ‘I … will tell you all that is in your heart,’ ” by which he apparently means to say that he will answer all of Saul’s questions. Second, Samuel assures Saul that his father’s donkeys have been located. Without even having to ask, Saul receives an answer to the question that brought him to Samuel, and his concern is put to rest. By now it should be clear to him that Samuel is a prophet indeed. Third, Samuel says to Saul: ” ‘And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all your father’s house?’ ” This is the most enigmatic of Samuel’s words to Saul, but Saul seems to sense something of what Samuel is implying. The prophet is telling Saul that he is just the type of man the people want for a king. But Saul replies, quite humbly, that he is not fit to be considered for such an exalted position, for he comes from the smallest of Israel’s tribes, Benjamin, and from an insignificant family within Benjamin. ” ‘Why then do you speak like this to me?’ ” Saul asks in genuine perplexity.

Samuel doesn’t answer, at least not right away. But he takes Saul and his servant to the hall where the feast is taking place. There, he gives Saul the place of honor and the best piece of the sacrifice, which the cook had set aside. This special treatment should be enough to show Saul that, no matter how obscure his background may be, he is God’s choice to take the throne of Israel.