Though God gave the Israelites their own way, when they would not be convinced of their error, it was not till the very last--not until He had allowed them a further opportunity of reviewing their course. Sometimes arguments which have failed to convince amidst the excitement and warmth of a public assembly, will recur with power and impressiveness in the quietude and retirement of home. We have felt, many a time, that we could not give our friends a better piece of advice than to think again before they acted; and we ourselves, probably, are no strangers to the advantages of acting upon “second thoughts,” rather than upon first impressions. The Israelites accordingly were dismissed to their homes: “Go ye every man unto his city.” If conscience were awake and faithful, it would hear God saying, “Sinner, I stand between thee and thy ruin a few days longer; I give thee the mercy of a few hours delay. Go home; go and consider. Go to thy Bible; go to thy closet; go to the mercy seat; go, ere it be too late; and pause ere thou dost resolve on persistence in thy unholy desire--in thy ungodly plan.” We may be disposed to think that a more dignified form of introducing Saul might have been selected--which greater dignity would have been attained by an entire omission of the mention of such trifles as Saul’s father losing his asses, and sending his son to seek them.
I. The study of this feature of Saul’s history demands that a thought or two should be expended upon the subject of the introduction into Scripture of these trivial incidents, these homely occurrences--for the recollection of every reader of the Bible will immediately suggest that this is not the only instance in which the same feature meets us in its manifold narratives. A writer who, merely to answer some private end, makes up a tale, purposely avoids minute incidents. He deals in generalities; because he feels that if he should descend into particulars he will but multiply the chances of detection. The minutely circumstantial character, therefore, of many of the narratives in the Bible is so far most favourable to our reception of the Scriptures as written under Divine influence, that it guarantees their truthfulness--a characteristic, the absence of which would at once constrain us to deny their inspiration. Still further--it must be acknowledged that matters which, in themselves and separately considered, appear trivial, turn out often, in their connexion and consequences, to be most momentous. It is the habit with God to associate the most important results with that which, in its origin, appears most insignificant. Nor only so--the purpose of a Divine revelation could only be answered consistently with the dictates of the highest wisdom, as the leading features of such a revelation were conformed to the facts and features of our own everyday history. In order to accomplish its professed purpose of being a guide and directory to man, it must be a faithful picture of human life. Were the aspects under which it presented human life materially different from those under which we ourselves view it, and even participate in it, we should be tempted to say, This is not the book for us.
II. The incidents connected with Saul’s appointment as king were not only trivial, but they possessed in combination with this characteristic another feature--they were of a class to which, in the ordinary way of speaking, we should give the name of accidental. And in this respect, the history appears framed so as to teach us the simple but emphatic lesson, that there is a God of Providence, and that where, to the human eye, there may appear nothing but an accidental connexion between two or more circumstances, there exists, in the mind of God, the most clearly-intentioned, complete, and beautiful arrangement and harmony. As we look back upon our own lives there stays by us the recollection of many incidents which once appeared not only trivial, but accidental. Their occurrence was the result of no premeditation of ours. They were such as arose seemingly in the ordinary course of events; such as suggested no idea of any special purpose being involved, or such as no human foresight could have prevented. But why do they stay by us thus? What is the power which has lodged firmly in our memory things which in themselves seemed to have no claim to so long-enduring a recollection? Why have we not forgotten them long ago? For this good reason: that these very incidents constituted, as we can now see, the springs out of which flowed the most important events in the whole of our history. Such views as those which have now passed before us of a thread of Divine arrangement and plan passing through all the varied incidents of our everyday life, should incite to the habitual acknowledgment of God in all our ways. Repeated lessons discover to us our own incompetency to direct our steps rightly amid the puzzling and perplexing paths of life. For notwithstanding that which meets our eye, it is still a fact that all is arranged. The chart of the Divine purposes is gradually unfolding; but the measure and the manner of that unfolding we must leave in the hands of the great Contriver.
III. Another thought suggested by that portion of the narrative now under consideration is this--that since, from God’s concealment of the future, we cannot tell what He may intend to do with us and by us, it is our duty to hold ourselves in readiness to undertake any service which He may require us to render, to enter upon any position He may call upon us to fill. Of all the possible or probable events which might have happened to Saul, that of becoming king would most certainly have been set down by himself and by others as the least likely ever to occur. But how, it may be asked, can we be prepared for that which is as yet entirely concealed from us--that which we cannot even anticipate? To this it may be replied, that there are certain qualifications which are requisite alike for all positions, and which render us, in a good measure, ready for any service. Such, for instance, are diligence and fidelity in meeting the claims of our present condition, whatever it may be. Such is the effort at mental cultivation, by the acquisition of useful knowledge, and by the employment of our thoughts upon the information thus gained. To these we may add that habit of working from principle which will ever be found the best aid to perseverance, because it stands opposed to all fitful excitement. The more self-acquaintance, too, which has been gained--the more dependence upon God--the more prayerfulness, watchfulness, and concern for God’s glory--the more real religion, in fact, which a man possesses, the more satisfied will he be in any position, however lowly--the more prepared for service, however exalted. God can turn all your acquisitions to profit. Saul, in the pursuit of a lesser good, met with the offer and promise of a crown. We say he was fortunate. But there is a better fortune which meets us wandering through this desert land, and often in pursuit of objects of inferior worth. An offer of a crown is made us, but it is one of imperishable material. An offer of a kingdom is made us, but it is of “a kingdom which cannot be moved.” (J. A. Miller.)
The lost asses
Who would have thought that upon the straying of asses was linked the anointing of the first king of Israel! But you must recollect there can be nothing like what we call chance in God’s kingdom of Providence. Had some very wise and skilful mechanic made a beautiful piece of machinery, and, in explaining to you the different parts, were he to say of only one little wheel, “I have left that to work as it happens--I can’t, say what that will do;” tell me would not your opinion of his wisdom instantly sink very much? and would not there be a secret misgiving that that one wheel, however small, might bring disorder into the whole piece of machinery? Never, then, think that He, whose work is perfect, can have left the least thing without design; nay, so wondrous is His work that often greatest events hang upon, what, we should think, very small things. It is a blessed thing when the servant of God is enquired for, and it is found that he is about his Master’s business. Beautiful is the account here given of Samuel. (1Sa_9:12-13.) And here you find, while Saul was diligently seeking Samuel, Samuel stood before him. It is a great mercy to be kept in the use of means. When we have obtained mercy to seek any good thing of the Lord, we may be very sure He is waiting to give the mercy he has taught us to seek. Samuel could tell Saul that the asses were found; but he would fain draw his thoughts from such concerns to the higher matters of a kingdom. In that beautiful book, “Pilgrim’s Progress,” you have read about the poor man who was so busy raking among the rubbish that he never lifted up his eyes to the beautiful crown which was just over his head. What a picture of poor sinners! so taken up with seeking the things of earth that they have no eyes, no heart for heavenly things: a throne, a crown, a kingdom, go for nothing. Oh! leave caring for asses, your toys, your empty pleasures and pursuits: come to Him Who shall tell thee all that is in thy heart; yea. Who is able and willing to fill that large craving void, which all creation could not fill, but which Jesus can fill to overflowing. (Helen Plumptre.)
A trivial incident the herald of a momentous future
In the second verse we find the first mention of a great man. Some names are not worthy to receive the honour of historical immortality. Seeing that they represent injury and injustice, it is better that they should fade into unknown oblivion than stand as the patrons of evil and stimulus to crime for succeeding generations.
1. Saul is introduced in connection with his ancestry. We are informed of his nationality and parentage. If we thought more of our homes and ancestors, national life would be swept of the political and filled with the domestic. How apt are young men in times of advancement to forget their “poor relations.” But it sometimes happens that God fastens a young man to his father’s home by recording him in connection with his ancestry.
2. Saul is introduced in connection with the meaner duties of life. See the simplicity and mystery of the divine plan!
3. The light which this incident throws upon Saul’s domestic character:
(1) Saul was an obedient son.
(2) Saul was a persevering and patient son Yet he continued the search along the plain, mile after mile, uselessly.
(3) Saul wag a considerate son. (1Sa_9:5.) Thus he feared lest their absence should be of more grief to his parent than the loss of the animals. If every young man had such tender regard for the feelings of his father, how many homes would be cheered end how many hearts solaced!
(4) Saul was somewhat indebted to the social condition of the times for his elevation. The nation was in a state of unrest, the people were impatient; their request for a king had been communicated to Samuel, and they were anxiously awaiting the result. Yet, while the political state of the nation exercised a power in drawing Saul to kingship, it was only in a subsidiary sense. People, and especially jealous folk, are never tired of attributing the greatness and position of certain individuals to the “call of the times.” True, the times do influence men, as if no king had been wanted Saul could not have been made one. The vacancy was occasioned by the unhappy combination of the times, but Saul was not so made to fill it. “The times call forth! Alas, we have known times call loudly enough for their great man, but not find him when they called! He was not there; Providence had not sent him; the time, calling its loudest, had to go down to confusion and wreck because he would not come when called.” “But I liken common languid times with their embarrassed circumstances, impotently crumbling down into ever worse distress towards final ruin:--all this I liken to dry, dead fuel, waiting for the lightning out of heaven that shall kindle it. The great man, with his free force direct out of God’s own hand, is the lightning. All blazes round him now, when he has once struck on it, into fire like his own. The dry, mouldering sticks are thought to have called him forth. They did want him greatly; but, as to calling him forth! These are critics of smaller vision, I think, who cry, ‘See, is it not the sticks that made the fire?’”* *(Thomas Carlyle). See in this narrative:--
I. The mysterious powers which guide our lives. These forces are two-fold: the minor or secondary influences which touch us.
1. Events. Life is so mysterious to us because we only see one side of it. Like those beautiful laurel designs which decorate the church--behind there are ugly ends of stick, there is no design, but deepest confusion: but in front there are words of hope composed of leaves and flowers. So here we only see the behind of life; in heaven we shall behold its twofold aspect, and be thrilled by its harmony rather than awed by its mystery. The mysterious event which had such an influence in shaping the future of Saul was
(1) trivial. It was simply the loss of some asses. So we little know how potently the small events of everyday life touch our souls.
(2) Casual. It was quite a casual thing for Samuel to go in search of lost property. God takes hold of all the casualties of life, and makes them work the purposes of His will.
(3) At critical junctures. How the Divine Being links the separate events of life. He joined the loss of asses to Israel’s desire for a king, and made the one subservient to the other. Not only are events among the minor forces which shape our lives, but also:--
2. Persons. “And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God” (1Sa_9:6). This shows that we are influenced
(1) by persons of inferior rank. We little know the shaping power which even servants exercise upon us.
(2) Unconsciously. The servant little knew that in leading Saul to Samuel he was conducting him to kingship.
2. The primary or Supreme influences which shape our lives. God is the Supreme power of life.
(1) Their influence upon prophetic life. God told Samuel the person who was to be king (1Sa_9:15) the time he would appear (1Sa_9:15) the purpose he had in view (1Sa_9:16)
(2) Their influence upon unfolding life. A marvellous coincidence (1Sa_9:18-19); a mysterious assurance (1Sa_9:20); a consoling statement (1Sa_9:20).
II. The important issues to which they tend.
1. Spiritual in their nature. They lead to the prophet.
2. Social in their bearing. Lead to kingships.
(1) Predilection (1Sa_9:19);
(2) Modest credulity (1Sa_9:21);
(2) A typical preferment (1Sa_9:22)
3. Samuel’s communications to Saul.
(1) Many unrecorded;
(2) Privately received (1Sa_9:27).
Lessons:--
1. If God wants a king he knows where to get him.
2. That obedient sons are likely to be Divinely honoured.
3. The mysterious power of human association.
4. The Divine casuistry of everyday life.
5. The harmonious working of Divine Providence.
6. The relationship of human governments to the Divine. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
