Saul was chosen by God as the first earthly king over Israel, stepping into a role that set the stage for the coming of David and ultimately Jesus Christ.
“When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, ‘Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This one shall rule over My people.’” (v.17) During the time of the prophet Samuel, who lived from around 1105 BC to approximately 1012 BC, the people of Israel were clamoring for a king. Samuel, serving as the last judge of Israel, had warned the people about the burdens of kingship, but they persisted. Here, the LORD reveals to Samuel that Saul, a tall and handsome young man from the tribe of Benjamin, is the one God has chosen to lead His people (1 Samuel 9:1-2). Saul would go on to be anointed as the first king of Israel, marking a new era in the nation’s history.
These words from the LORD—“Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you!” (v.17)—demonstrate God’s direct involvement in selecting Israel’s leader. Far from leaving the people to choose on their own, the LORD personally guided Samuel in identifying the man fit for the role. Although Saul’s journey would later be marred by disobedience (1 Samuel 15:22-23), at this point, he was poised to become the shepherd of God’s chosen nation. This pivotal moment also foreshadows God’s greater plan for Israel, eventually culminating in a kingdom from which Jesus Christ, often called the King of kings, would descend (1 Timothy 6:15).
God’s intention, as revealed in “This one shall rule over My people” (v.17), was not only to satisfy the people’s call for a king but to establish the monarchy that would lead Israel forward. Saul’s reign, lasting from about 1050 BC to around 1010 BC, served as the foundation for Israel’s royal line, though it was later succeeded by the reign of King David. Despite Saul’s eventual failings, this moment underscores the LORD’s sovereignty in leadership appointments, reminding us that God sees beyond human perception and intervenes to guide His people toward His redemptive purposes in history.
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1 Samuel 9:17 meaning
“When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, ‘Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This one shall rule over My people.’” (v.17) During the time of the prophet Samuel, who lived from around 1105 BC to approximately 1012 BC, the people of Israel were clamoring for a king. Samuel, serving as the last judge of Israel, had warned the people about the burdens of kingship, but they persisted. Here, the LORD reveals to Samuel that Saul, a tall and handsome young man from the tribe of Benjamin, is the one God has chosen to lead His people (1 Samuel 9:1-2). Saul would go on to be anointed as the first king of Israel, marking a new era in the nation’s history.
These words from the LORD—“Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you!” (v.17)—demonstrate God’s direct involvement in selecting Israel’s leader. Far from leaving the people to choose on their own, the LORD personally guided Samuel in identifying the man fit for the role. Although Saul’s journey would later be marred by disobedience (1 Samuel 15:22-23), at this point, he was poised to become the shepherd of God’s chosen nation. This pivotal moment also foreshadows God’s greater plan for Israel, eventually culminating in a kingdom from which Jesus Christ, often called the King of kings, would descend (1 Timothy 6:15).
God’s intention, as revealed in “This one shall rule over My people” (v.17), was not only to satisfy the people’s call for a king but to establish the monarchy that would lead Israel forward. Saul’s reign, lasting from about 1050 BC to around 1010 BC, served as the foundation for Israel’s royal line, though it was later succeeded by the reign of King David. Despite Saul’s eventual failings, this moment underscores the LORD’s sovereignty in leadership appointments, reminding us that God sees beyond human perception and intervenes to guide His people toward His redemptive purposes in history.