1 Samuel 12:1

1 Samuel 12:1 says, And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.  Samuel told the people of Israel that he had listened to them and made a king over them, but it was really God Who had done so.  Of course, Samuel did represent God before the people, but even if we are representing God today, we need to make sure that it is His word that we are presenting when we make statements about what we would have them do and never claim credit ourself for what He has done.  Verse two adds, And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.  Samuel said he was old and now the king was walking before them.  He also said he had walked before the people of Israel as God's representative since he was a child.  We could only hope to be able to say that as we get old.  He also said his sons were with them and could be held accountable for any wrong they had done.  We cannot justify the bad actions of our children just because they are the children of a Christian or even a leader in the church.  Verse three continues, Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.  Samuel then asked several questions concerning his integrity before the LORD, and said if he was guilty of cheating anyone that he would restore what he had taken from them dishonestly.  We as followers of Christ should never cheat others, but if we do, we should be ready to restore whatever we have taken from them to them.  Verse four states, And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand.  To Samuel's credit they said he had never done any of these things.  It is one thing for us to say we have done nothing to harm others, but it is so much better if they say the same thing.  Verse five adds, And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.  Samuel asked that God be a witness that he had done none of these things, and the people said that God was a witness.  It is good for us the believe that we have done nothing wrong to others, better if they acknowledge it, but best if God Himself is a witness to the fact.  Verse six continues, And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.  Samuel reminded the people that it was God Who had placed Moses and Aaron over them as He had brought them out of Israel.  As Christians, we should never forget that it should be God Who places people in positions of power over us today in the church.  Verse seven declares, Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.  Samuel told the people to stand still while he reasoned with them, reminding them of all that God had done for them.  Sometimes, we just need to stand still and remember all that God has done for us.  Verse eight adds, When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.  Samuel began with Jacob, who had gone to Egypt during a severe drught, which had led to the people of Israel being enslaved there, until they cried out to God, Who raised up Moses and Aaron to deliver out of Egypt and bring them to the Promised Land.  We as followers of Christ have already been delivered from the enslaving power of sin by the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, and we need to always remember that.  Verse nine continues, And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.  Moses then reminded them that they had forgotten God, and He allowed them to be defeated by the Philistines and Moabites.   If we forget about God in our everyday walk of faith, we may find ourselves under the power of sin once more.  Verse ten says, And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.  Samuel reminded them that when this happened that they had confessed their sins and asked God to help them, saying they would then serve Him once more.  We cannot just turn to God when we find ourselves in trouble, but should instead follow His guidance daily so we don't get in trouble to begin with.  Verse eleven adds, And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.  Samuel then reminded them of the men God had sent through the years to deliver them from the power of other nations.  We today need to remember only one Deliverer, and that is Jesus Christ.  Verse twelve continues, And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.  Samuel then reminded them that when Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against them that they had demanded an earthly king, where God had always been their King before.  We do not need anyone to come between God and us, but we need to follow Him by having a personal relationship with Him through our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord and by the leadership of the Holy Spirit Who indwells us.  Verse thirteen concludes, Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.  Samuel then told them to behold the king, Saul, whom God had set over them.  This still was not God's plan, but was His allowing the people of Israel to have what they thought they needed.  Today, we may ask for things that are outside the will of God, and He may allow us to have them, but they will eventually prove to have not been what was best for us.

1 Samuel 11:11

1 Samuel 11:11 says, And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.  Saul divided his men into three troops, and they came into the midst of the hosts of the Amorites at the morning watch.  The Amorites had been told they would have the answer from Israel this day, and they did.  It just wasn't what they expected, but if they chose to misinterpret what that meant, that was their problem.  They were defeated and scattered before they even got up.  If people are looking for answers from us today, especially if they are threatening us because of our Christian beliefs, there is no reason to delay answer them.  Of course, we should do so after first putting our faith in God to be with us no matter what happens.  As long as we put our life in God's hands, we can never lose, so we should never be afraid of the battle.  Verse twelve adds, And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.  The people of Israel responded to their great success under Saul's leadership by asking who had questioned Saul's being put in charge and asking that whoever did be brought forth so they could put them to death.  There was no room forc dissension amongst the people.  Saul was now their king by appointment and action.  If God has placed someone in a position of authority today, we should not question their authority, especially if they are being successful in doing what needs to be done.  Verse thirteen states, And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.  Saul said no one would be put to death that day, because God had delivered Israel.   Saul gave the credit and the glory to God, as we must when He leads us to victory over the forces of evil today.  Verse fourteen adds, Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.  Samuel called on the people to go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.  They were no longer being threatened by the Amorites, but had been restored to a position of power. Of course, had they remained faithful to God, they never would have lost their position of power.  If we have allowed sin back into our life as Christians, we have lost God's assurance of victory in the world, but if we repent and return to Him by faith, He will restore our position of power over sin.  Verse fifteen continues, And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.  They went to Gilgal and officially made Saul king before the LORD.   Of course, God had already made him their king, even if they just now acknowledged it.  Jesus Christ has already been made King, whether we acknowledge it or not.  They offered sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD, and Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.  When God gives us success in the world today, we should rejoice greatly in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 Samuel 11:1

1 Samuel 11:1 says,  Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.  Nahash, an Amorite, came up against the people of Jabeshgilead, and they sought to make a covenant with him by promising to serve him.  The Amorites were descendants of Lot and as such had been dealt with fairly by Israel when they were first occupying the Promised Land, but they turned out to not be good neighbors, and by this thime, the people of Jabeshgilead were not following God's leadership.  This is evident by the fact that they didn't first turn to God for help.  We may have been nice to the people of the world around us as followers of Christ, but that doesn't mean that they are always going to treat us fairly, or even with respect.  We can never subject ourselves to the authority of the lost people of the world just to maintain peace.  Verse two adds, And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.  Nahash agreed to make a covenant with them on one condition, and that was that he could put out their right eye as a sign of reproach on Israel, which would have also have been a reproach on God.  Even if we were tempted to do something that seems terrible to maintain peace with the world, as Christians we should never do anything that would be a reproach to God, and if we do, we must repent and ask His forgiveness.  Verse three continues, And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.  Again, without consulting God and putting their faith in Him, the elders of Jabesh told Nahash to give them a week to send word throughout Israel, and if they couldn't find someone to help them, they would agree to his terms.  They had forgotten the power of God and were looking to a man for redemption, and we can never afford to do that as Christians.  Verse four states, Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.  The word reached Saul, and all the people around him wept.  We should be saddened if we hear about God's people anywhere being abused or even threatened with abuse.  Verse five adds, And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.  Saul may have been anointed king, but at present he was still tending to a herd in the field.  Seeing the people weep, he asked them what was going on, and they told him.  If we see people sad and upset today, as Christians we should be concerned, and we should care enough to try and find out what is going on.  Verse six continues, And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.  The Spirit of God came on Saul at this time, and he was angered by what he heard.  We as followers of Christ are indwelled by the Holy Spirit and called to reach out to the world with God's love, but that does not mean that we cannot become angry at some of the things that go on in the world.  Verse seven declares, And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.  Saul took two oxen, chopped them into little pieces, and sent the pieces throughout Israel, telling them this was what was going to happen to their oxen if they didn't come forth to him and Samuel.  Still, it wasn't this, but the fear of God that caused them to come.  As Christians, whatever we do should be based on our relationship with God, and done for His honor and glory.  Verse eight adds, And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.  When Saul counted them, there were three hundred thousand men of Israel, and thirty thousand men were Judah.  We must rally as Christians when any of our fellow Christians are threatened.  Verse nine continues, And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.  Saul sent messengers to the men of Jabesh, that by the time the sun was hot tomorrow they would have help.  Verse ten concludes, Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.  The people of Jabesh then sent word to the Amorites that they would come to them tomorrow.   Of course, the Amorites probably misunderstood the message, as lost people of the world tend to misunderstand God's message today.

1 Samuel 10:17

1 Samuel 10:17 says, And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;  Samuel once again called the people of Israel together unto the LORD at Mizpeh.  If we have decisions to make in the world today, we need to gather together, at least spiritually if we cannot all gather physically, and seek God's guidance as followers of Christ.  Veres eighteen adds, And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:  Samuel told them that God He had brought them up out of Egypt.  They already knew this, but evidently had forgotten what that really meant about their dependence on God.  We as Christians should never forget that we owe everything to God, and He has already given us everlasting life with Him.  Verse nineteen continues, And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.  Samuel then said that they had rejected God and demanded a king, and they were to present themselves by tribes before the LORD.  Anytime we allow anything to become more important to us than God is, we are rejecting Him, and He will allow us to do so.  Still, one day we will stand before Him and have to answer as to why we did so.  Verse twenty states, And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.  Verse twenty-one adds, When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.  God singled out the tribe of Benjamin and then continued on down to Saul, but when they sought him, he could not be found.  When God seeks us for our particular calling as followers of Christ, will we be found?  Verse twenty-two continues, Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.  They asked God where Saul was, and He said that Saul had hidden among the stuff.  Samuel may have already ordained Saul to be king under God's direction, but evidently Saul wasn't ready to assume the position of king.  We can have a tendency as Christians to get hidden amongst our stuff, allowing the cares and concerns of this world to come between God and us, and keeping us from assuming the position in the church that God has appointed us to.  Verse twenty-three says, And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.  They ran and got Saul, and it points out once again that He was head and shoulders taller than any of the other people.  Physically, he was certainly what we would look fo in a leader, but we should never base who we choose as leaders in the church, or even the country, on physical appearances.  Verse twenty-four adds, And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.  Samuel pointed out that God had chosen Saul to be king, and that physically there was none like him.  Of course, God had chosen Saul to be king because of their demands for a king in the first place, and not because He had said they needed one.  God may allow us to have what we want today, but that does not mean that it is always what is best for us.  I believe this also may be the first use of the phrase, God save the king, that we know of.  Verse twenty-five continues, Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.  Samuel then told all the people of Israel what the kingdom would look like, wrote it in a book, and sent them home to their own house.  We already know what the kingdom of God should look like, because it is written in the Book.  As we go to our own home everyday, we need to remember this.  Verse twenty-six states, And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.  Saul returned home to Gibeah, accompanied by a band of men whose hearts God had touched.  As we go about everyday life, we need to be accompanied, at least spiritually, by a group of people whose hearts God has touched.  Verse twenty-seven adds, But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.  Not everyone was pleased with God's choice for a king.  The people of Belial asked how Saul could save them and resented him.  Some people are never going to be satisfied with those that God chooses as leaders in the church today, and will be resentful toward them.  We are told that Saul held his peace.  He could have exerted his authority as king and punished them, but he didn't.  God could also exert His authority as the owner of the universe when we gripe about how He is running things or those that He places in positions of authority in the church, but He chooses to hold His peace.

1 Samuel 10:9

1 Samuel 10:9 says, And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.  When Saul turned away from Samuel, God gave him a new heart.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we are given a new heart, one that is devoted to God and should seek to do God's will in all that we do.  Samuel saw all the signs that Samuel had shown Him come to pass that day.  We may not see signs specific to us being fulfilled in our life after we accept Jesus Christ, but I believe God will always give us a sense of spiritual peace and security when we put our faith in Him, and we will see signs of His working in our life.  Verse ten adds, And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.  When Saul came to a certain hill, which Matthew Henry says was Gibeah, he met a company of prophets, so we can assume that Samuel was not the only prophet in Israel, though he was the only judge.  Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul suddenly, and Matthew Henry says not to stay long, but oi inspire him briefly at that time.  When this happened, Saul prophesied with the other prophets.  We today should know that we are not alone as Christians, and also that the Holy Spirit indwells each of us continually from the time we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  It is then up to us if we follow His leadership or not.  Verse eleven continues, And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?  The people around him who knew Saul asked what had come over Saul.  They said wasn't he the son of Kish, and asked if he were now a prophet.  Sometimes the people who know us best may be amazed at the change that comes over us when we accept Jesus Christ, and they may really question it if we are called into the ministry, but if God calls us, all we can do is answer, no matter what people may think.  Verse twelve states, And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?  One of those there asked who the Father of the other prophets were,and the answer was God, at least spiritually.  It doesn't really matter from a spiritual perspective who our earthly parents are, because we all have the same Heavenly Father as Christians.  He then calls us to a particular place of service in His kingdom.  It became a proverb with them about Saul being among the prophets, since he had never been before.  Verse thirteen adds, And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.  After Saul was finished prophesying, and we are not told what he prophesied, he came to the high place.  Saul went there to give thanks to God for all that He had done for him.  We should always stand ready to give God the praise for all that He does for us today daily, even if we don't immediately recognize everything that He is doing.  Verse fourteen continues, And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.  When Saul’s uncle saw him, he asked him where he had been.  He had been away several days, so his uncle may have been curious as to why he was away so long.  Saul said they, his servant and he, had left looking for the missing asses, but they then also went to see Samuel about them.  Hunting for the missing asses had been what Saul had been sent to do, and he had been responsibly doing so.  As we go about our everyday life, we may experience God's call to do something else, and if so, we need to be obedient to His call.  Verse fifteen says, And Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.  His uncle asked Saul to tell him everything Samuel had told him. If Saul had been to see the judge of Israel, his uncle wanted to know what Samuel may have told him.  We need to be ready to tell people about our meeting Jesus Christ and accepting Him as our Savior and Lord.  Verse sixteen adds, And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.  Saul only told his uncle about what Samuel said about the asses being found, and not about him being anointed as the king of Israel.   Matthew Henry says Saul was still humble at this point, but for whatever reason, he said nothing about his soon to be position as the king of Israel, which would be a first for them.  We should always be humble as Christians, but never to the point that it keeps us from sharing with others what God is doing in our life. 

1 Samuel 10:1

1 Samuel 10:1 says, Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?  After talking with Saul privately, Samuel anointed him with oil and kissed him, which was much like our handshake in America today, though the kiss on the cheek is still a way of greeting people in many cultures even today.  Samuel asked Saul if it wasn't because God had appointed Saul captain of Isreal that he did this.  Anointing was also something done with priests and signified the transfer of the role of the leadership of Israel from the priests to the king.  I believe he was asking if Saul understood why Samuel did it.  It doesn't do much good to be appointed to a position and not know it.  Verse two adds, When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?  Samuel then gave Saul further instructions concerning the asses he was looking for.  Samuel gave Saul specific details about what he would encounter, which when they occurred would confirm Samuel's position as a prophet.  We can be certain that if people tell us that they have had a vision from God today that if they have, it will happen just as they said it would.  Of course, not everything that people claim to be a vision from God that then happens is necessarily a vision from God.  The great deceiver, Satan, can sometimes cause things to happen so that they appear to be miracles from God.  Samuel also told Saul that he would be told that his father was sorrowful for him, and was asking what he could do for Saul.  Verse three continues, Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:  Samuel then told Saul that after he met the two men at Rachel's tomb who would tell him about the asses, he was to continue on to the plain of Tabor, where he would meet three men going to Bethel, and he was specific about what each of them would have with them.  Of course, in order to know if this was true, Saul had to do what Samuel told him to do.  Saul could have decided that since his mission from his father was accomplished, even if it did seem miraculous that Samuel told him so many details about it, that he would just return home.  As followers of Christ, we may at times miss out on greater blessings because we meet our original goal, and then just return home instead of pressing on ahead.  Verse four states, And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.  Samuel said these three men would greet Saul, and give him two of the three loaves of bread that they had, and Saul was to receive it from  them.  In order to receive a blessing from God, we must be willing to receive it.  Verse five adds, After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:  Samuel told Saul after this he was to come to the hill of God, where a garrison of Philistines were stationed.  Samuel said that there Saul would encounter a company of prophets, and told him all the musical instuments they would have with them.  Of course, this still required that Saul continue on by faith in what Samuel had told him.  If we are going to be successful in our Christian walk today, we must always continue on by faith in God.  Verse six continues, And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.  Samuel then told Saul that the Spirit of the LORD would come on him then, he would prophesy with these prophets, and he would be changed into a different man.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to indwelll us, and we are changed into a different person. Verse seven declares, And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.  Samuel told Saul because, not if, when these signs occurred, to do as the occasion called for, by God's guidance, because God was with him.  Of course, we should do what God calls us to do today because He is with us.  Verse eight adds, And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.  Samuel then told Saul that after this, he was to go to Gilgal and wait for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices to God for Saul.  He said that Saul was to wait there seven days before he came and told Saul what he was to do.  Sometimes, we may have to wait to see what God wants us to do next, and that may be difficult to do.  Saul had been wanting to return home, and now if he were to follow Samuel's instructions, he would be further delayed in doing so and have a totally different mission in life.  We cannot afford to let our plans come between us and God's calling for us.

1 Samuel 9:22

1 Samuel 19:22 says, And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour at the publicfeast,, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.  After Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the parlor, he had them sit in the best seats.  We need to remember that his servant and Saul had only gone looking for Samuel because they thought he might help themm in their quest for some lost asses, and now they were honored as the most important guests.  Saul had certainly never gone out looking to be king of Israel.  We may find that as we are going about the routine, or even mundane, things of life, that God will have other plans for us.  Verse twenty-three adds, And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.  Samuel then told the cook to bring the portion that he had told him, or maybe, her, to set aside.  Samuel had done this because of a divine revelation the day before of Saul's coming.  If God is leading us to do something today, He will help us to be prepared to do it, whatever it might be.  Saul had said that they were out of money and meat before they went to Samuel, and now they were being served the best of the food.  Verse twenty-four continues, And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people.  So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.  Samuel told Saul to eat the meat, which was a shoulder of mutton.  Matthew Henry said the right shoulder was reserved for the the priest, and the left shoulder for the person of honor, that this signified Samuel passing his place as ruler of Isreal to Saul. This was all because God had told Samuel that Saul was to be king.  If we are in a position of leadership in the church today, we should always be ready to pass that position on if God directs us to do so.  Verse twenty-five states, And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.  After coming down from the feast, Samuel communed with Saul on the rooftop of his house.  Matthew Henry says we can suppose that Samuel told Saul all about the people's desire for a king at this time, but we really aren't told what they discussed.  Verse twenty-six adds, And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.  Early the next morning, Samuel told Saul to get up, that it was time for him to return home.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.  When they got to the end of the city, Samuel told Saul to send his servant on ahead so he could show Saul the word if God.  This was not Samuel's plan, but God's plan to satisfy the grumbling of the people of Israel about not having a king.  God may at times grant our desire, even if He knows it isn't what is best for us.