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There are no coincidences in God’s world. Every event and detail is purposed and planned by an almighty God. We see that absolute control in this chapter. The story might, at first, seem strange, but it’s actually the outworking of God’s secret purpose for Israel and Saul. Previously in chapter 8, the people of Israel had displeased the Lord by asking for a king. At the end of chapter 8, the Lord’s tone is dismissive as he says to Samuel, ‘give them a king’ (8:22). It may therefore look as if the Lord has withdrawn from his people, but this story shows us that he is still at work as he makes Saul king over his people (see v. 16).
Every insignificant detail and event here is used in the Lord’s purpose to get Saul to meet up with Samuel. The loss of the donkeys (vv. 3–5) seems like a strange and irrelevant event. However, it is the means by which Saul is led out of his local community to Samuel. Saul is ready to go home, but his servant suggests that they consult with a nameless ‘man of God’ (v. 6). Coming to the town where he is rumoured to be, they bump into some girls and ask where the man of God is (v. 11). Amazingly, they learn he had come to the town on the same day as Saul (v. 12). Next, they bump into Samuel himself (v. 14), who had already been told by the Lord that he would lead Saul to the prophet (v. 16). In other words, the Lord is in control of every one of Saul’s steps here, and he uses missing donkeys, servants, journey timings, teenage girls and direct revelation to bring about his purpose for his king and his people.
There are no coincidences in our life. This doesn’t mean we always know what is happening, nor does it mean that we have to work out why certain things have happened. But we’re simply given the assurance that the Lord is working out his purpose amidst all the insignificant details of our life, whether it involves donkeys or not!
REFLECTION
1. What difference does it make knowing that you’re not given over to fate or luck, but to the Lord’s purpose?
2. As you look back over your life so far, can you see any purposes of God that have been worked out?
Scripture
About this Plan
1 Samuel charts the rise and fall of several of Israel’s leaders. You’ll meet the notoriously arrogant king Saul and see the ascent of the man after God’s own heart – David. You’ll read of dangerous battles, murder plots, giants and even more surprises in this book. You’ll see that despite turbulence in leadership, seemingly strong enemies and spiritual decay God is very much at work orchestrating the fall of the proud and the rise of the humble. What an encouragement for us today when we are faced with challenges not too dissimilar to these!
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