1 Samuel 9:15-27 - Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

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the Prophet Meets the Coming King

1 Samuel 9:15-27

There are some favored souls to whom God reveals His secrets, Psalms 25:14; John 15:15. Covet, above all things, that habitual nearness to God in which God may speak as a man to His friend. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him; but He reveals them by His Spirit. Even when Samuel encountered Saul in the street, Samuel's guidance by God continued, 1 Samuel 9:17. His fellowship with the Eternal was like a deep-flowing current; his meeting with Saul a leaf dropped on its surface.

The prophet did not meet the young man as a rival. The life which is lived in God's presence is so filled with His light and His love that it is not disturbed by the fickle fancies of the crowd. Samuel was quite ready to be abased and to see another exalted, if God willed it, Philippians 4:12. It is good, when we are in partnership with God, to allow Him, at the critical moment, to send the man or woman whom He has selected. “Tomorrow… I will send thee a man.” Such may come on quite another errand, but God will give us divine guidance and discernment, so that we may be ready to receive and welcome Him.

Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 9:15

1 Samuel 9:15-27

15 Now the LORD had toldh Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,

16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.

18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.

19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.

20 And as for thine asses that were lost threei days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house?

21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou soj to me?

22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.

23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

24 And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.

25 And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.

26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while,k that I may shew thee the word of God.