“And 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.”
This verse is a part of the story of Saul, who would later become the first king of Israel. Let’s explore the context and significance of this verse.
The story begins earlier in 1 Samuel when the people of Israel demanded a king to rule over them, similar to the nations around them. God granted their request and chose Saul, a young man from the tribe of Benjamin, to be anointed as the first king of Israel. In 1 Samuel 9, we find Saul, accompanied by his servant, searching for his father’s lost donkeys.
In verse 14, as Saul and his servant enter the city, they encounter Samuel. Samuel, who was a prophet and judge over Israel at that time, comes out to meet them. This meeting was divinely arranged by God.
The phrase “for to go up to the high place” in this verse refers to Samuel’s intention:to go up to the place of worship or the “high place.” In ancient Israel, high places were often hilltop locations where people would gather for worship and offer sacrifices to God. These high places were often associated with the presence of God.
This encounter between Samuel and Saul was significant because God had already revealed to Samuel that the person he was to anoint as king would come to him on that day (1 Samuel 9:15-16). God orchestrated the circumstances so that Saul would cross paths with Samuel, who would anoint him as the future king.
The events that follow this meeting eventually lead to Saul being anointed privately by Samuel as king of Israel (1 Samuel 10:1). This marked the beginning of Saul’s reign and his journey as the first king of Israel.
From this verse, we can learn a few lessons:
- God’s timing is perfect:God arranged the circumstances in Saul’s life to fulfill His plan at the right time. We can trust that God works behind the scenes, orchestrating events for His purposes, even when we may not understand or see it at the moment.
- God’s chosen leaders:The story of Saul becoming king reminds us that God is the ultimate authority in appointing leaders. He chooses individuals according to His purposes and criteria. As believers, we should seek God’s guidance in choosing and supporting leaders in various aspects of life.
- The significance of encountering godly people:Meeting Samuel was a pivotal moment for Saul. Similarly, the people we encounter in our lives can have a significant impact. It is important to be open to divine appointments and learn from the wisdom and guidance of godly individuals.
Overall, 1 Samuel 9:14 illustrates how God orchestrates events to fulfill His plans and how encountering godly people can be transformative. It serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and His involvement in the lives of His people.
