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1 Samuel 9:1–10
And [Kish] had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people (v. 2).
“Most governments began in the ambition of the prince to rule,” Matthew Henry writes, “but Israel’s in the ambition of the people to be ruled.” He is noting the curious fact that now, despite the fact that the idea of kingship has been proposed by the Israelites and “approved” by God, no great man puts himself forth as a candidate for the throne. Likewise, the people do not nominate anyone, and Samuel doesn’t go looking for potential monarchs. Everyone seems to acknowledge that the next move is up to God.
Thus, the narrative of 1 Samuel now shifts as the author shows us just what steps God takes. He takes us first to the tribe of Benjamin to introduce Kish, “a mighty man of power,” hale, hearty, and well-to-do. However, it is not Kish the author wants us to meet but his son, who is “choice and handsome.” In fact, the narrative says he is the most handsome and tallest man in Israel. This is Saul, whose name essentially means “asked for.” He is the very epitome of the king the people have requested. “What a good figure Saul made,” Henry writes. “No mention is here made of his wisdom or virtue, his learning or piety, or any of the accomplishments of his mind, but that he was a tall, proper, handsome man, that had a good face, a good shape, and a good presence, graceful and well proportioned … and, as if nature had marked him for pre-eminence and superiority, he was taller by the head and shoulders than any of the people…. When [God] chose a king after the people’s heart, who aimed at nothing so much as stateliness and grandeur, He pitched upon this huge tall man, who, if he had no other good qualities, yet would look great.”
It pleases God to use Kish’s donkeys, of all things, to bring Saul to Samuel. Sent out by Kish to find the runaway beasts, Saul treks through the regions of Ephraim and Benjamin seemingly for days until he is ready to give up lest his father begin to fear for him. But the wild goose chase brings Saul and his servant to the vicinity of Samuel’s hometown of Ramah, and the servant, knowing Samuel to be a prophet (” ‘all that he says surely comes to pass’ “), proposes asking him where the donkeys might be. After they rummage through their pockets for loose change to give to Samuel, the future king of Israel sets out to see the prophet charged with crowning a monarch.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
The Israelites wanted a physically impressive king, and Saul fit the bill. Likewise, we tend to get behind the leader who presents the best image. As Christians, however, we must go deeper and evaluate all our leaders—from presidents to preachers—by Biblical standards. Pray for aid to look past your leaders’ physical appearances, good or bad.
For Further Study
- Isa. 53:1–3
- John 7:24
- 2 Cor. 5:12; 10:7–11