9:3 Saul was sent by his father on an important mission—to find their stray donkeys. Donkeys were all-purpose animals, the “pickup trucks” of Bible times. Used for transportation, hauling, and farming, they were considered necessities. Even the poorest family owned one. To own many donkeys was a sign of wealth, and to lose them was a disaster. Saul’s father was wealthy, and his many donkeys were evidence of that wealth.
9:3ff Often we think that events “just happen” to us, but as we learn from this story about Saul, God may use common occurrences to lead us where he wants. It is important to evaluate all situations as potential “divine appointments” designed to shape our lives. Think of all the good and bad circumstances that have affected you lately. Can you see God’s purpose in them? Perhaps he is building a certain quality in you or leading you to serve him in a new area.
9:18-21 Saul looked pessimistically at his circumstances and did not realize the resources he now had with God’s help. He was so intent on finding the lost animals that he did not understand that he soon would govern the wealth of Israel. Remember that God sees you in light of your potential, as you rely upon him for strength. Don’t let your present pressures keep you from seeing your life in light of God’s available rseources.
9:21 “Why are you saying these things to me?” Saul’s outburst reveals a problem he would face repeatedly—feeling inferior. Like a leaf tossed about by the wind, Saul vacillated between his feelings and his convictions. Everything he said and did was selfish because he was worried about himself. For example, Saul said his family was “the least” in the “smallest” tribe in Israel, but 9:1 says his father was “a mighty man of power.” (The tribe of Benjamin was the smallest because they were nearly wiped out as punishment for their immorality—see Judges 19–21.) Saul didn’t want to face the responsibility God had given him. Later, Saul kept some war plunder that he shouldn’t have and then tried to blame his soldiers (15:21) while claiming that they had really taken it to sacrifice to God (15:15).
Although Saul had been called by God and had a mission in life, he struggled constantly with jealousy, insecurity, arrogance, impulsiveness, and deceit. He did not decide to be wholeheartedly committed to God. Because Saul would not let God’s love give rest to his heart, he never became God’s man.