A man named Kish, sent his son named Saul, and one of his servants in search of his lost donkeys. They were at it three days “over hill country and the territory of Benjamin” but could not find them. Saul, the young man was about giving up out of concern that his father would have been worried that they had not returned. “Come, let us go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.” (1 Samuel 9:5) The servant had another idea though. He convinced Saul to rather go into town and consult a man of God: “Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.” (1 Samuel 9:6) By this time you can imagine that they were running out of food having been on the road for three days, and also cash to pay for the consultation was running low.

Interestingly, and strangely for that matter, they were planning to go and consult with the man of God not for spiritual things, but to enquire where the donkeys could be found. Wrong use of a man of God you would say; but then the prophets of the day were supposed to be people who could see into the future, who could predict events – good or bad alike. It therefore seemed like a good idea to stop the running around in order to put an end to this never-ending search, by having the man of God tell them where exactly to look.

And so they directed their steps to the town were the man of God lived. On their way, they met with some young ladies who were going to draw water from the well and asked for directions. The seer, they said, was ahead of them as they entered the town. They added that he had just come to town for a ceremony involving some sacrifice “in the high place.” He was bound to be there they continued, because he must bless the sacrifice. As Saul and his servant continued on their way to town, they met with the man of God, Samuel, who was “coming toward them on his way to the high place.” (1 Samuel 9:14)

God had by then revealed to Samuel: “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me.” (1 Samuel 9:16) As their paths crossed, and just before Saul enquired from this man about where to find the seer, the man of God, Samuel had received word from God: “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.” (1 Samuel 9:17)

And so Samuel was going to fit the prescription; “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?” To which he answered; “I am the seer.”

‘God works in a mysterious way His wonders to perform,’ penned the hymn writer. That is exactly what we observe. Saul was going to run into the prophet Samuel by design. The entire path he had trod led him to the prophet. Our God is not a God of coincidence; he is a purpose-filled God, who knows the end from the beginning. Saul was going to literally walk into the prophets net, whilst looking for his father’s donkeys.

Saul becomes Samuel’s guest at the festivities; he is seated in a place of honour and gets the choicest portion of the servings.

All this seemed too much for Saul. When the prophet remarked; “And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and all your father’s family?” (verse 20) Saul looks down on himself and responds, “Is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”   (1 Samuel 9:21) God will put us in a place of honour irrespective of our background or origins.  You see, it is not about us, it is God working his purpose out. God can use anything. Stop devaluing yourself.

By the way, you will recall that Saul left home in search of his father’s donkeys - which he could not find anyway after a three day search. Listen to what the prophet had revealed to him; “… do not worry about them; they have been found.” (1 Samuel 9:20) We spend all our useful time and life looking for and seeking our personal interests without making any headway. Kish, Saul’s father, was interested in safeguarding his wealth and riches. Donkeys were beasts of burden of immense value at the time. He was worried about the loss of his donkeys in economic terms. To the extent that Saul had to consult a seer showed also how economic considerations overrode spiritual considerations. When we are driven by the wrong motives and objectives, we compromise our level of success. Success is only found in God.

Whilst Saul’s concern was for his father’s donkeys, God had another project in hand for him; that of leading His people Israel. In spite of their abandonment of Him, God remained faithful in order to secure for His people a king who would rule over them.

Saul and Samuel were to meet the following day so he could send him on his way. He had one final thing to disclose to him. Up until now nothing had been revealed to Saul except go ahead of them, he had to share with him “a message from God.”

At this point, “Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him saying, ‘Has not the Lord anointed you leader over His inheritance?’ ” (1 Samuel 9:1) Thus Saul became the first king of Israel. Consider how it all began. Saul left home on a private mission, looking for lost donkeys, he returns crowned first king of Israel.