I Samuel 9:2-10:23

Hook

The stale take: Hebrew school taught you that the Bible is all about big, dramatic pronouncements and earth-shattering miracles. If you found yourself zoning out during tales of kings being anointed or ancient prophecies being fulfilled, you might have concluded that ancient Israelite history is just… not your thing. But what if we told you that the most profound moments often begin with something as mundane as lost donkeys and a bit of awkwardness?

Context

Let’s demystify the idea that you had to be a religious scholar or a prodigy to connect with these texts. This first encounter with Saul, Israel's first king, is a masterclass in how the sacred can emerge from the ordinary, even when you feel completely out of your depth.

You Missed the "Lost Donkey" Starting Point

• The Ordinary Beginning: Saul isn't born into royalty or seeking divine favor. He's a young man whose primary concern is finding his father's lost donkeys. This isn't a grand quest; it's a domestic errand that feels entirely relatable.
• The Unlikely Guide: He stumbles upon Samuel, the prophet, not through a divine vision, but by following his servant's suggestion to consult a local "seer." This highlights that seeking wisdom or guidance can come from unexpected sources and in everyday conversations.
• The Reluctant Hero: Saul is described as handsome and tall, certainly impressive, but he's also humble (or perhaps self-deprecating) to the point of disbelief when Samuel hints at his destiny. He sees himself as from the "smallest of the tribes," not kingly material.

Text Snapshot

He had a son whose name was Saul, an excellent young man; no one among the Israelites was handsomer than he; he was a head taller than any of the people.

Once the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish went astray, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take along one of the servants and go out and look for the donkeys.”

…

“But if we go,” Saul said to his servant, “what can we bring the man? For the food in our bags is all gone, and there is nothing we can bring to the agent of God as a present. What have we got?”

The servant answered Saul again, “I happen to have a quarter-shekel of silver. I can give that to the agent of God and he will tell us about our errand.”

…

As soon as Samuel saw Saul, GOD declared to him, “This is the man that I told you would govern My people.”

New Angle

You might have bounced off the Hebrew Bible because it felt like a foreign land, populated by archetypes who were always "on," always divinely connected, always operating on a different plane. But here, with Saul, we see something deeply human, something that speaks directly to the adult experience of feeling like you're just trying to keep up, often with seemingly lost donkeys of your own.

Insight 1: The Divine in the Mundane – Finding Your "Lost Donkeys"

Think about your own life. How often do you feel like you're just going through the motions, dealing with the everyday, the slightly annoying, the "lost donkeys" of your own existence? Maybe it's managing a project at work that feels like it's going nowhere, navigating a tricky family dynamic, or simply trying to find enough energy for your daily routine. You might feel like these aren't "spiritual" moments. But this passage radically reframes that. Saul's journey begins with a very practical problem. He’s not seeking enlightenment; he’s trying to locate property.

This matters because it tells us that the sacred isn't confined to temples or grand pronouncements; it’s woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. The divine can show up when you're frustrated, when you're slightly embarrassed, or when you're just trying to solve a practical problem. The servant’s suggestion to see the "seer" isn't born of deep theological contemplation, but a practical solution: "he'll tell us about our errand." This is an invitation to look for the sparks of meaning and guidance not just in planned moments of reflection, but in the midst of our ordinary struggles. It's about recognizing that the universe might be nudging you forward, even when you're just trying to find something that's gone missing.

Furthermore, Saul’s hesitation about what to bring as a gift – his concern about running out of food and having nothing to offer – is incredibly human. He’s not trying to impress God; he’s trying to approach a respected local figure. This self-consciousness, this feeling of being unprepared, is something many adults can relate to. We often feel we need to have it all together, to have the perfect offering or the right credentials, before we can engage with something meaningful. But the text shows us that the "offering" can be as simple as a quarter-shekel of silver, or even just your willingness to show up and ask.

Insight 2: The Uncomfortable Anointing – Embracing Unexpected Transitions

The moment of anointing is deeply significant, yet it’s framed with a sense of surprise and even awkwardness. God tells Samuel, "This is the man that I told you would govern My people." Yet, Saul has no idea. He’s still focused on his lost donkeys and feels utterly unqualified. When Samuel reveals his destiny, Saul’s response is, "But I am only a Benjaminite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my clan is the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin! Why do you say such things to me?"

This resonates powerfully with adult life. We often feel like we're not equipped for the roles we're thrust into. We might be promoted at work and feel like an imposter, or find ourselves in a leadership position in our family or community and wonder, "How did I get here? I'm not qualified for this." The narrative doesn't shy away from Saul's internal doubt. He’s not suddenly filled with unshakeable confidence; he’s told that "the spirit of God will grip you, and you will speak in ecstasy… you will become a different person." This is a transformation, not an instant perfection.

This matters because it shows that growth and leadership often involve a profound shift in identity that feels unsettling at first. It's not about suddenly being the perfect king, but about being "anointed" for the role and then undergoing a process of becoming that person. The "different person" isn't someone who loses their past but someone who is equipped with a new capacity. It's a reminder that embracing new responsibilities, whether in your career, family, or personal growth, often involves stepping into a role before you fully feel ready. The anointing is the divine endorsement, but the transformation is a journey. The text also highlights how others react to this change – some accept it, while "scoundrels" scorn him. This is also deeply adult: not everyone will recognize or accept your evolution.

And the detail about Saul hiding among the baggage when he's selected by lot? It’s pure, relatable human behavior. Even after being chosen, his instinct is to retreat, to not be the center of attention. This isn't a sign of weakness, but of a person wrestling with a monumental shift. It’s like getting that unexpected promotion and your first instinct is to duck under your desk. The divine choice doesn't erase our human tendencies; it works with them, often pushing us gently (or not so gently) out of our comfort zones.

Low-Lift Ritual

The "What If It's Already Found?" Check-In

This week, when you find yourself worrying about something that feels lost or unattainable – whether it's a solution to a work problem, a sense of peace in your family life, or even just finding the time to read this – pause for just two minutes.

1. Acknowledge the "Lost Donkey": Briefly name what you're seeking or worrying about. (e.g., "I'm worried about finishing this report," or "I'm trying to figure out how to connect with my teenager.")
2. Consider the "Servant's Wisdom": Ask yourself, "Is there a small, practical next step I can take, or a different perspective I can consider?" It doesn't have to be the grand solution. Maybe it’s just sending a quick email, making a cup of tea and sitting quietly for a moment, or reading one article related to the problem.
3. The "Already Found" Glimmer: Then, gently ask yourself, "What if, in some way, the answer or the next step is already in motion, or already available, even if I can't see it yet?" Just let that thought sit for a moment without needing to prove it.

This isn't about magically finding your donkeys. It's about practicing the habit of looking for guidance in unexpected places and trusting that there's often more happening than our immediate worry allows us to see.

Chevruta Mini

Question 1

Saul is chosen as king, yet his first reaction is to hide. What does this tell us about the nature of transformation? When have you felt this tension between being called to something and feeling like you need to retreat or are not ready?

Question 2

The text mentions that "the spirit of God will grip you, and you will speak in ecstasy along with them; you will become a different person." What does it mean for you, as an adult, to "become a different person" in a way that feels divinely inspired or like personal growth, rather than just changing your mind?

Takeaway

You don't need to be a biblical scholar to find meaning in these ancient stories. The journey of Saul, from a young man searching for lost donkeys to Israel's first king, reveals that profound spiritual awakenings often begin in the most ordinary of circumstances. You weren't wrong for finding previous attempts at connection dry or irrelevant; you just needed a different lens. This story invites you to see the divine not as a distant force, but as a presence that can meet you in your everyday challenges, awkward moments, and even your self-doubt. The "anointing" isn't just for kings; it’s for anyone willing to embrace a new way of being, even when they feel like they’re still searching for their own lost donkeys.