When God Leads Through the Ordinary: Saul’s Surprising Journey (1 Samuel 9:1-21)
Have you ever felt like you were just going through the motions—running errands, doing chores, trying to solve everyday problems? It might not feel very special, but sometimes, those everyday steps are exactly what God is using to guide you toward something bigger.
In 1 Samuel 9:1–21, we meet a man named Saul who’s just trying to find his father’s lost donkeys. It seems like a simple task—but by the end of his journey, Saul finds himself face-to-face with God’s prophet and on the path to becoming Israel’s first king.
Let’s walk through this story and see how God can use ordinary moments to do extraordinary things.
A Simple Errand Turns into a Journey
Saul was a young man from the tribe of Benjamin. He was tall, strong, and came from a respected family. One day, his father’s donkeys went missing, and Saul was sent to find them. With a servant by his side, he traveled through several towns—but no luck.
Can you imagine the frustration? Days of searching, no donkeys in sight. It probably felt like a waste of time.
But while Saul was looking for something lost, God was guiding him toward something found: his true calling.
Looking for Help in the Right Place
When they couldn’t find the donkeys, Saul’s servant had an idea: “Let’s go ask the man of God (the prophet). Maybe he can help.”
This may seem small, but it shows something important—being willing to turn to God (or people who follow Him) when we’re stuck.
What Saul didn’t know was that God had already spoken to Samuel the day before. God said, “Tomorrow, I will send you a man. He is the one I’ve chosen to be king.”
So while Saul thought he was just looking for help, God had already planned their meeting.
An Unexpected Meeting
When Saul finally meets Samuel, he has no idea what’s about to happen. But God speaks to Samuel again and says, “This is the man I told you about.”
Think about that: Saul was on a donkey search—but God was on a mission to raise a leader. One step at a time, Saul was walking straight into God’s plan.
Surprised and Humble
Samuel invites Saul to stay and eat with him, and even tells him that all of Israel’s hopes are set on him.
Saul is shocked. “Why would you say that to me?” he asks. “I’m from the smallest tribe. I’m nobody special.”
That’s exactly the kind of person God loves to use—someone who doesn’t see themselves as great, but who is open to being led.
What Can We Learn from Saul’s Story?
Saul’s journey teaches us a few simple but powerful truths:
- God uses ordinary things (like lost donkeys) to lead us to His bigger plans.
- Frustrating detours might be divine directions in disguise.
- You don’t have to feel important for God to have a purpose for you.
- Be open to God’s guidance, even when things feel routine.
God isn’t only working in big, dramatic moments. He’s working in our everyday steps, small decisions, and even our setbacks.
Final Thoughts
Saul thought he was just doing his job—finding donkeys. But God used that simple task to lead him into his future as a king.
Maybe today you feel like you’re just “doing life”—nothing big, nothing exciting. But who knows what God might be leading you toward?
Something to reflect on:
What ordinary part of your life might God be using to prepare you for something greater?
Keep walking. Keep trusting. God’s purpose may be closer than you think—even if it starts with a lost donkey.
1 Samuel 9:1-21 (WEB)
9:1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. 2 He had a son whose name was Saul, an impressive young man; and there was not among the children of Israel a more handsome person than he. From his shoulders and upward he was taller than any of the people.3 The donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, “Now take one of the servants with you, and arise, go look for the donkeys.” 4 He passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they weren’t there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them.5 When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come! Let’s return, lest my father stop caring about the donkeys and be anxious for us.”6 The servant said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor. All that he says surely happens. Now let’s go there. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.”7 Then Saul said to his servant, “But behold, if we go, what should we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our sacks, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”8 The servant answered Saul again and said, “Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.” 9 (In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come! Let’s go to the seer;” for he who is now called a prophet was before called a seer.)10 Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said. Come! Let’s go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was. 11 As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?”12 They answered them and said, “He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he has come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place. 13 As soon as you have come into the city, you will immediately find him before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he comes, because he blesses the sacrifice. Afterwards those who are invited eat. Now therefore go up; for at this time you will find him.”14 They went up to the city. As they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them to go up to the high place.15 Now the LORD had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, 16 “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.”17 When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! He will have authority over my people.”18 Then Saul approached Samuel in the gateway, and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.”19 Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you are to eat with me today. In the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. 20 As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don’t set your mind on them, for they have been found. For whom does all Israel desire? Is it not you and all your father’s house?”21 Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me like this?”