Samuel had promised Israel, from God, that they should have a king; it is strange that the next news is not of candidates setting up for the government, making an interest in the people, or recommending themselves to Samuel, and, by him, to God, to be put in nomination.

We are here told, 1. What a good family Saul was of, 1 Sam. 9:1. He was of the tribe of Benjamin; so was the New-Testament Saul, who also was called Paul, and he mentions it as his honour, for Benjamin was a favourite, Rom. 11:1 Phil. 3:5.

Here is, I. A great man rising from small beginnings. It does not appear that Saul had any preferment at all, or was in any post of honour or trust, till he was chosen king of Israel.

Here, I. Saul, by an ordinary enquiry, is directed to Samuel, 1 Sam. 9:11–14. Gibeah of Saul was not twenty miles from Ramah where Samuel dwelt, and was near to Mizpeh where he often judged Israel, and yet, it seems, Saul had lived so very privately, and had taken so little notice of public…

Providence having at length brought Samuel and Saul together, we have here an account of what passed between them in the gate, at the feast, and in private. I.