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1 Samuel 9 · Grade 5

Lost Donkeys and a Kingdom

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Read and Think

Chapter 9 introduces Saul with impressive credentials. His father Kish was a mighty man of valor, and Saul was a choice young man, taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. In outward appearance, he was exactly what Israel wanted in a king like the nations.

Yet the narrative quietly raises questions. Saul searched for donkeys and failed. He was ready to quit. His servant, not Saul, knew of the man of God and had a quarter shekel of silver to offer. Saul seems unacquainted with Samuel, the prophet all Israel knew from Dan to Beersheba.

Meanwhile God was directing every step. He had revealed to Samuel the day before that He would send a man from Benjamin to be anointed prince, to save His people from the Philistines, for He had looked on their cry. At the high place Samuel gave Saul the honored portion, then spoke with him on the housetop. God's providence works through ordinary details, even lost donkeys, to bring about His purposes.

Show What You Know

  1. What were Saul's outward credentials?

  2. What questions does the narrative raise about Saul?

  3. Why did God say He would send a prince?

  4. Through what does God's providence work in this chapter?

Crossword

3421

Across

  1. Saul's father (9:3)
  2. The donkeys of Kish were ____ (9:3).

Down

  1. The tall young man from Benjamin (9:2)
  2. A prophet was once called a ____ (9:9).

Think About It

  1. Where have you seen God's providence in ordinary details of your life?

  2. Why might the writer hint at weaknesses in Saul right from the start?

Memory Verse

“Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.”

1 Samuel 9:16 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for leading me even when I do not know it. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • Why did God hear His people's cry even after they asked for a king?
  • How does God use small events for big purposes?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.