The Quest For The Asses (1 Samuel 9:3-5).
The quest for the asses, and its consequence in Saul and his servant meeting up with Samuel, seems to describe just an everyday incident, but it is in fact made quite clear that their movements were guided by God in commencing the process of Saul's appointment as war-leader (nagid).
‘ And the asses of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, “Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go seek the asses.” '
Saul is depicted as being obedient to his father and as caring of his animals, so that when some she-asses were lost his father had no hesitation in sending him after them. He was clearly a man to be admired and respected. In the Ancient Near East asses were seen as very valuable animals, which along with the family having servants, serves to bring out that Saul's father was a rich man.
‘ And he passed through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there. And he passed through the land of the Benjaminites, but they did not find them.'
The diligence of Saul comes out here. He did not give up at the first hurdle, but persevered in his quest. First he went through the hill-country of Ephraim, then through the region of Shalishah (see 2 Kings 4:42), then through the region of Shaalim, and then through the land of the tribe of Benjamin. Note the initial ‘he' which turns to ‘they'. The initial emphasis is on Saul. We are intended to gain respect for him in everything that he does. We are to see that this man will make a king indeed.
‘ When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, and let us return, lest my father cease worrying about the asses, and be anxious for us.” '
However, by the time that they arrived in the land of Zuph Saul recognised that his father might shortly begin to worry about them. So he suggested to the servant that it was time that they returned home. Another of his attributes is added to the list. He is revealed as a considerate, caring and thoughtful young man. Nothing appears to be missing in his make-up. He is seen as a son to be proud of.