Samuel Anoints Saul
God directs Samuel to anoint Saul, a tall and handsome Benjamite, as Israel's first king. But the choice comes with both promise and warning.
1 Samuel 9:1-27, 1 Samuel 10:1-27
Take the 1 Samuel 9 Quiz
Test your knowledge of this chapter
Explore 1 Samuel Chapters
Study all chapters of 1 Samuel
The Story
There was a Benjamite named Kish who had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel. He was a head taller than anyone else—the kind of man who looked like a king.
When Kish's donkeys were lost, he sent Saul and a servant to find them. They searched through the hill country but found nothing. Finally, near Zuph, the servant suggested, 'Look, there is a man of God in this town; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let's go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.'
Unknown to Saul, the day before his arrival, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: 'About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.'
When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said, 'This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.'
Saul approached Samuel in the gateway. 'Would you please tell me where the seer's house is?'
'I am the seer,' Samuel replied. 'Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me. As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?'
Saul answered, 'But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?'
His response showed genuine humility. Saul did not yet know he was being chosen as king, but even at the suggestion of honor, he protested his unworthiness. It was an attractive quality—one that sadly would not last.
Samuel brought Saul into the hall, seated him at the head of those invited, and gave him the place of honor. The next morning, Samuel sent the servant ahead and said to Saul, 'Stand here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.'
Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil, poured it on Saul's head, and kissed him. 'Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance? The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.'
Samuel gave Saul specific signs that would confirm his anointing—signs that all came to pass exactly as predicted. When Saul met a procession of prophets, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he prophesied among them. People who knew him were astonished: 'What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?'
Later, Samuel summoned all Israel to Mizpah for the public selection of their king. The lots fell to the tribe of Benjamin, then to the family of Matri, and finally to Saul son of Kish. But when they looked for him, he was nowhere to be found. They inquired of the Lord, 'Has the man come here yet?'
The Lord said, 'Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.'
They ran and brought him out. As he stood among the people, he was a head taller than any of the others. Samuel said to the people, 'Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.'
Then the people shouted, 'Long live the king!'
Samuel explained the rights and duties of kingship, wrote them in a book, and deposited it before the Lord. Then he sent everyone home. Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched.
But not everyone was pleased. Some troublemakers said, 'How can this fellow save us?' They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent, showing wisdom and restraint.
Israel had its king—anointed by God, empowered by the Spirit, confirmed by signs and public selection. Saul began with humility, spiritual experience, and divine calling. Everything necessary for success was in place. But time would tell whether Saul would trust the God who had chosen him or rely on his own strength. The anointing was only the beginning; obedience would determine the outcome.
Samuel Chooses Saul as King
Kids Version
There was a man named Saul who was very tall—taller than everyone else! He was the son of a man named Kish.
One day, Saul's dad's donkeys ran away. Saul and his servant went looking for them. They looked everywhere but couldn't find them. Finally, Saul's servant said, 'There's a prophet named Samuel in the next town. Maybe he can help us!'
What Saul didn't know was that God had already told Samuel, 'Tomorrow, I'm sending you a man from Benjamin. Anoint him to be the king!'
When Saul met Samuel, Samuel said, 'Don't worry about your donkeys—they've been found! Come have dinner with me. You are very special!'
Saul was confused. 'But I'm from the smallest tribe in Israel! Why are you being so nice to me?'
The next morning, Samuel took out a special flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head. 'God has chosen YOU to be the king of Israel!' Samuel said. 'The Spirit of God will come on you, and you'll be changed!'
Samuel told Saul some signs that would happen, and they ALL came true! When Saul met some prophets, God's Spirit came on him, and he started prophesying too! People were amazed.
Later, Samuel called all the people together to choose the king officially. They used a special way of choosing, and it picked Saul! But when they looked for him, they couldn't find him. 'Where is he?' they asked.
God said, 'He's hiding behind the supplies!'
They found Saul hiding! When he stood up, he was taller than everyone. Samuel said, 'Here is the man God has chosen to be your king!'
All the people shouted, 'Long live the king!'
Saul started out humble and good. God gave him everything he needed to be a great king. But would Saul keep obeying God? Time would tell!
Ready to test your knowledge?
See how well you know this story from 1 Samuel.
Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — 1 Samuel 9:1-27 (KJV)
1Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. a Benjamite: or, the son of a man of Jemini power: or, substance
2And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
3And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.
4And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.
5And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
6And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.
7Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? is spent: Heb. is gone out of, etc have we: Heb. is with us?
8And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. I have: Heb. there is found in my hand
9(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)
10Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was. Well said: Heb. Thy word is good
11And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here? the hill: Heb. in the ascent of the city
12And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: sacrifice: or, feast
13As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him. this time: Heb. to day
14And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
15Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, told: Heb. revealed the ear of Samuel
16To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
17And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people. reign over: Heb. restrain in
18Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.
19And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.
20And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? three: Heb. to day three days
21And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? so: Heb. according to this word
22And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.
23And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
24And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. left: or, reserved
25And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.
26And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
27And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God. a while: Heb. to day
Memory Verse
“Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. a Benjamite: or, the son of a man of Jemini power: or, substance”
— 1 Samuel 9:1 (KJV)
Test Your Knowledge
How well do you know the story of “Samuel Anoints Saul”? Take the quiz to find out.
More from Samuel the Prophet
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Samuel Anoints Saul” in the Bible?
God directs Samuel to anoint Saul, a tall and handsome Benjamite, as Israel's first king. But the choice comes with both promise and warning. This story is found in 1 Samuel 9:1-27, 1 Samuel 10:1-27.
Where is “Samuel Anoints Saul” found in the Bible?
“Samuel Anoints Saul” is found in 1 Samuel 9:1-27, 1 Samuel 10:1-27, in the book of 1 Samuel.
What can children learn from “Samuel Anoints Saul”?
This story teaches children about God's sovereignty, Anointing, Leadership, Obedience, Humility. God told Samuel to anoint a tall man named Saul as Israel's first king. Saul was humble at first, but God chose him to lead His people.