Journey
Saul, the first king
Israel's first king, from a search for lost donkeys to the night march of the men of Jabesh. A fair look at Saul's gifts and failures in 1 Samuel 9 to 31.
People in this journey
Opening stop: The least of the families, 1 Samuel 9:15
The story began with Kish's donkeys, lost for three days (1 Samuel 9:3, 20). It was Saul's servant, not Saul, who knew a man of God lived in this town, though Samuel had once been known from Dan to Beersheba (1 Samuel 3:20). Saul's answer may be more than good manners. Benjamin had been nearly destroyed in a war with the other tribes, and Israel had grieved that one tribe was cut off (Judges 21:6). God's words to Samuel about looking on his people because their cry had come to him echo what he told Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:7-9).
Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
King James Version
Saul and a servant search for his father Kish's lost donkeys. When they consider returning home, the servant suggests consulting a man of God. Samuel has already been told by the Lord to expect the man who will lead Israel against the Philistines. He welcomes Saul, tells him the donkeys have been found and gives him an honored place at a meal. The chapter ends as Samuel prepares to speak God's word to him privately.
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This journey has 10 stops. The opening stop is free. Premium opens the rest of the guided path, and every Scripture chapter stays free to read.