Saul Seeks the Lost Asses

The words

1. Asses

   Donkeys, in the NET Bible.

   Kish’s lost donkeys send Saul on his journey; when he meets Samuel, the prophet tells him the animals have already been found.

   1 Samuel 9:3 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 9:20 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 1 Samuel 9:3 (opens a new tab)

2. Benjamite

   Saul identifies himself as a Benjamite and calls Benjamin the smallest tribe, with his family least among its families.

   1 Samuel 9:21 (opens a new tab)

3. Gibeah

   Saul returns home to Gibeah after the public assembly; a band of men accompanies him, described as having their hearts touched by God.

   1 Samuel 10:25–26 (opens a new tab)

4. Goodly

   The narrator describes Saul as exceptionally handsome and taller than the people, standing above them from his shoulders upward.

   1 Samuel 9:2 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 1 Samuel 9:2 (opens a new tab)

5. King

   Samuel presents Saul to the people as the LORD’s chosen man, and the crowd answers, “God save the king.”

   Did you know?

   Before the public presentation, Saul is found hiding among the baggage after the people inquire of the LORD about him.

   1 Samuel 10:22–24 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 1 Samuel 10:22 (opens a new tab)

6. Kish

   Kish sends Saul and a servant to find his donkeys; during the search, Saul worries that his father will be anxious about them.

   1 Samuel 9:3–5 (opens a new tab)

7. Prophesy

   When the Spirit of God comes upon Saul, he prophesies among the prophets; people who know him ask whether he belongs among them.

   Did you know?

   Samuel’s earlier prediction places musical instruments before the company of prophets: a psaltery, tabret, pipe and harp.

   1 Samuel 10:10–12 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 10:5 (opens a new tab)

8. Rejected

   Samuel tells the assembled people they have rejected the God who saved them by demanding a king, then gathers them by tribes.

   1 Samuel 10:17–20 (opens a new tab)

9. Saul

   Samuel asks Saul to remain behind while the servant goes ahead; the following scene describes Saul’s anointing with oil.

   1 Samuel 9:27 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 10:1 (opens a new tab)

10. Seer

    The narrator explains that “seer” was the earlier name for a prophet; the servant directs Saul to seek guidance from this man of God.

    Did you know?

    When Saul finally asks for the seer’s house, Samuel answers, “I am the seer,” before inviting him to the meal.

    1 Samuel 9:6; 1 Samuel 9:9 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 9:18–19 (opens a new tab)

11. Shekel

    A weight of about 0.4 ounce (11 grams), in the ESV note.

    Saul’s servant has a quarter shekel of silver to give the man of God, after their food has run out.

    1 Samuel 9:7–8 (opens a new tab) · ESV Bible: 1 Samuel 9:8 (opens a new tab)

12. Shoulder

    The leg portion, in the NET Bible.

    Samuel orders the cook to bring the portion set aside for Saul; the cook places the shoulder before him at the meal.

    Did you know?

    Samuel seats Saul and his servant in the chief place among roughly thirty invited people, before calling for the reserved portion.

    1 Samuel 9:22–24 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 1 Samuel 9:23-24 (opens a new tab)

13. Spirit

    First Samuel says God gives Saul another heart; the Spirit of God then comes upon him as he meets the prophets.

    1 Samuel 10:9–10 (opens a new tab)

14. Vial of Oil

    A flask of oil, in the ESV Bible.

    Samuel pours oil on Saul’s head, kisses him and tells him that the LORD has anointed him captain over his inheritance.

    1 Samuel 10:1 (opens a new tab) · ESV Bible: 1 Samuel 10:1 (opens a new tab)

15. Zuph

    In Zuph, Saul suggests returning before Kish worries about them; the servant instead recommends visiting the man of God in a nearby city.

    1 Samuel 9:5–6 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 9:6–10 (opens a new tab)