The Anointing of Saul

1 Samuel 9-10

            What are we to make of Saul? His first introduction tells us that he is searching for his father’s donkeys, animals known to be stubborn. Perhaps something like Isaiah 1:3, “The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand,” is in the background. Saul is responsible for donkeys and he will in some ways be a donkey as king: regularly going his own way. (Contrast David who is introduced as a shepherd, tending the flock, and apt metaphor for his kingship.) Saul does not come across as particularly decisive: his servant suggests consulting the prophet and finds a way to pay him. Twice in our reading, Saul resists Samuel’s offer of the kingship. First, he objects that his tribe Benjamin is the smallest of the tribes. (Remember the events of Judges 20-21.) Then he hides among the baggage carts when all Israel is assembled to choose the king. Finally, he seems a bit irreligious. As noted, he doesn’t think of going to the prophet, nor does he seem to know who Samuel is. And the surprise of the people when he joins the company of the prophets, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” may suggest that this religiosity is a new feature of Saul’s life.

            Oh, dear, I just noticed one more thing: 1 Samuel 10:26 says that Saul’s home was Gibeah, the scene of that horrible incident in Judges 19-20. That can’t be good!

            Some of this is supposition; some of it is reading between the lines. Still, I think it paints a picture: rebellious Israel is getting the king they asked for, but he is himself not everything a king needs to be. He physically looks the part, but as we will read next week, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).