Reading 40 • October 23
Today's Scripture
1 Samuel 9:1–2, 15–21
There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish son of Abiel son of Zeror son of Becorath son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. He had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the Israelites more handsome than he; he stood head and shoulders above everyone else.
Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be ruler over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines, for I have seen the suffering of my people, because their outcry has come to me.” When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you. He it is who shall rule over my people.” Then Saul approached Samuel inside the gate and said, “Tell me, please, where is the house of the seer?” Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer; go up before me to the shrine, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, give no further thought to them, for they have been found. And on whom is all Israel’s desire fixed, if not on you and on all your ancestral house?” Saul answered, “I am only a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel, and my family is the humblest of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin. Why then have you spoken to me in this way?” (NRSVUE)
Reflection
Drawing together. Joining in purpose. Surely these were outcomes God intended when seeking a leader to usher in that golden era of a united Israel.
But what led God to choose Saul? Today’s text suggests, for starters, that Saul was strikingly handsome and tall (verse 2). A central casting-style of leader. Yet we also see Saul as a humble man, aware of his unexceptional standing as a Benjamite — the ones destined to follow and not to lead (verse 21).
So, what other qualities might Saul have possessed? What virtues are hidden between the lines — and between today’s verses — for clues about Saul’s character?
First, loyalty: Saul agrees, without dispute or complaint, to search for his father’s three missing donkeys (verses 3 and 4).
Next, Saul demonstrates awareness of and concern for others: “Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us” (verse 5).
He’s willing to act on the reasoned advice of others: “Look, in this town there is a man of God,” said the servant, “Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.” Without this pivotal moment, Saul would not have been led to Samuel (verse 6).
Also, the practice of hospitality: Saul hesitates, telling the servant they cannot meet this seer, Samuel, without presenting a gift worthy of a representative of God.
And therein lies the most important gift: the belief. The belief in God, the respect for God’s messenger, and the willingness to suspend disbelief. Contemporary life — the busy here and now of the lives we live — can drain enchantment from the world, but only if we let it. Had Saul been overwhelmed by lost donkeys, he might’ve spurned the thought of meeting God’s prophet, Samuel. Knowing this, we, if we are attentive to God’s word, might find ourselves chasing life’s donkeys one day and advancing the will of God the next.
Prayer
Many are the distractions of the day, Lord. Speak the words of peace to our hearts and inspiration to our minds, so that we may hear your voice in the world. Amen.
Written by Sarah Forbes Orwig, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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