Saul now enters Samuel's home city inquiring, “Is the seer here?” The Lord has already prepared His servant for his coming, just as, at a later date, Peter was divinely prepared for the coming of Cornelius' messengers (Acts 10:19-2019While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. (Acts 10:19‑20)). The Lord had even told Samuel the hour Saul might be expected (1 Sam. 9:1616To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. (1 Samuel 9:16)). Truly, “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off” (Psalm 139:22Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. (Psalm 139:2)).
The new king had arrived, and Samuel, although knowing how utterly foreign to the will of God the whole business was, must put no difficulties in the way. The man of Israel's choice must be anointed and take his place at their head. No king ever commenced his reign under more favorable circumstances than Saul. Both the Lord and Samuel were at hand for his counsel and help if he could appreciate it. Thus the break-down, when it came (and it came all too soon), was altogether the fault of the king himself. The goodness of God in thus placing all His resources at the disposal of the representative of the people's self-will is very wonderful, and might well teach us an important lesson. For it cannot be denied that we sometimes pursue a vastly different course ourselves when things arise that we are unable to approve. A spirit of dogged opposition is apt to manifest itself, which utterly defeats the end that we really have at heart. Oh, that we could leave matters more completely with God that He may work as seems good in His sight. He never fails to come, sooner or later, to the help of faith.