"And 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."
1 Samuel 9:24 is part of the narrative about the anointing and selection of Saul as the first king of Israel. To understand the significance of this verse, it’s helpful to look at the context and the events leading up to it.
In the previous verses, we learn that Samuel, the prophet and judge of Israel, had been instructed by God to anoint a man from the tribe of Benjamin as the king over Israel. Samuel is told that the man he is to anoint will come to him, and that man is Saul. In 1 Samuel 9:15-17, God reveals to Samuel that Saul is the one he should anoint.
In 1 Samuel 9:18-23, Saul, accompanied by his servant, is seeking Samuel’s guidance to find his lost donkeys. In the process, they arrive in the city where Samuel is, and Samuel, having been informed by God in advance about Saul’s arrival, meets them. Samuel invites Saul to a feast and tells him that he will reveal God’s message to him the next day.
Now let’s focus on 1 Samuel 9:24 itself. After Samuel had instructed the cook to set aside a portion of the meat to be served to Saul, the time comes for the meal. The cook presents the shoulder, which was a choice portion of meat, before Saul. Samuel then points out that the rest of the food that was set aside for Saul is to be brought and served to him as well.
This act of Samuel setting aside a portion of the food for Saul is significant for a few reasons:
- God’s Provision:By setting aside the portion of food for Saul in advance, it demonstrates God’s foreknowledge and provision. It was a confirmation of God’s message to Samuel that the man before him was indeed the one God had chosen to be king.
- Honor and Respect:By separating a special portion of the meal for Saul, Samuel is showing him honor and respect. It signifies the importance and significance of Saul’s role as the future king of Israel. It was a way of acknowledging Saul’s anointing and future authority.
- Confirmation of God’s Word:The act of setting aside the food for Saul and Samuel’s subsequent invitation for him to eat confirms to Saul that Samuel’s earlier message was from God. It affirms that he is the one God has chosen to be king, as Samuel had prophesied.
Overall, 1 Samuel 9:24 highlights God’s providence, Samuel’s obedience to God’s instructions, and the confirmation and recognition of Saul as the chosen king. It sets the stage for Saul’s anointing and the subsequent events that unfold in his reign.
By studying this verse and the surrounding context, we can learn about the faithfulness of God in guiding and directing the affairs of His people and the importance of obedience to His instructions.
