'It's only me'

1 Samuel 9:2, 17­21 (NRSV, abridged)

Saul [was] a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he; he stood head and shoulders above everyone else... When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, `Here is the man of whom I spoke to you. He it is who shall rule over my people.' ... [Samuel said to Saul] `And on whom is all Israel's desire fixed, if not on you and on all your ancestral house?' Saul answered, `I am only a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel, and my family is the humblest of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin. Why then have you spoken to me in this way?'


Here we have the first appearance of Saul, the man whom God chooses as king. It is clear that Saul has already been blessed by God, his height giving him advantage. Even today, surveys suggest that leaders in business and politics are usually taller than average (something that doesn't cheer a puny person like me, at all of five foot two).

Saul sets out on a journey in search of his father's lost donkeys (see the rest of this chapter). He is presented as being like a folktale hero, off on a quest and being drawn to a mysterious man, the prophet Samuel, who knows when to expect him. God is using all these circumstances to bring about his purpose.

Like many before and after him, Saul is rightly humble when faced with God's plans for him. He is like Isaiah ('I am a man of unclean lips...' Isaiah 6:5), David and many others, including Samuel himself--not quite believing that God is calling him. Of course, we are right to have the same attitude, but often we go too far, getting stuck in a debilitating false modesty. It's as if we never really believe that God can use us for anything. Well, he can and he does. Who are we to disagree? He might only be calling us today to help someone in need, perhaps in a very trivial way, with a kind word or an offer of tea, but our doubts about being able to do anything at all can get in the way.

For reflection

What small task is God calling you towards at worship this week?



Rachel Boulding


[from New Daylight September - December 2007]