1 Samuel 7-9

In this passage, the men of Kiriath Jearim arrive in Beth Shemesh and take the ark of the Lord.  They bring the ark to the house of Abinadab and consecrate his son, Eleazar, as its guard.

1. Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah
In this passage, it is noted that the ark of the Lord remains at Kiriath Jearim for 20 year; during that time, the Israelites mourned and sought after the Lord.  Samuel then calls the Israelites to recommit themselves to the Lord.  They gather at Mizpah and declare that they have sinned against the Lord, and Samuel intercedes with Him for them.  The Philistines try to attack the Israelites at Mizpah, yet the Lord thunders against them and throws them into a state of confusion.  The Israelites take advantage of the situation and rout the Philistines; after this defeat, the Philistines do not invade Israel again.  Samuel later leads Israel against the Philistines in several battles while serving as Israel's judge.

Perhaps the Lord caused the Israelites to mourn and seek after Him for 20 years so that they would be ready to hear His call to repentance (as delivered by Samuel).  Of course, it would not be long before the Israelites' inherent sinfulness reared its ugly head...

2. Israel Asks for a King
In this passage, it is noted that Samuel steps down from his position as the judge of Israel and appoints his sons as his replacements.  Yet his sons are terrible judges and behave unjustly, spurring the elders of Israel to request that Samuel appoint a king over Israel.  Samuel is displeased by their request; later, the Lord tells him that their request is actually a tacit rejection of Him as their King.  Samuel then warns the people of Israel regarding the consequences - including taxation -  of appointing a king over them.  Yet the Israelites refuse to heed his warnings; thus, the Lord tells him to appoint a king over them.  Samuel then commands all of the Israelites to return to their towns.

One must wonder why Samuel's sons were unable to judge Israel.  Their father served as a good example in this regard - yet somehow his example did not make an impression on them.  This fact highlights an interesting parallel between Samuel and his mentor, Eli.

3. Samuel Anoints Saul
In this passage, it is noted that a Benjamite, Kish, has a son, Saul, who was "without equal among the Israelites."  Kish has lost some of his donkeys, and Saul and one of his servants search for them throughout the hill country of Ephraim and the territory of Benjamin without success.  At some point they reach the district of Zuph; there, the servant persuades Saul to ask a man of God in a nearby town for some advice regarding the lost donkeys.  Interestingly, Samuel is that man of God, and the Lord had informed him that 1) Saul would come to him and 2) he must anoint Saul as the king of Israel.  Saul and his servant later meet Samuel, and he invites them to join him for a sacrifice at that town's high place.  The next morning, Samuel arranges a private meeting with Saul; he tells Saul that he has a message for him from the Lord.

In verse 20, Samuel tells Saul that "the desire of Israel" points to him.  Could Saul guess Samuel's intentions at that point, i.e. did Saul know that Samuel was going to anoint him as king over Israel?  Saul was focused on finding his father's lost donkeys at that time - perhaps Samuel's words went in one ear and out the other.