(a) Describe Five signs given to Saul by Samuel as a proof that the Lord had anointed him King of Israel. (b) What two moral qualities can be derived from t...

Answer Details

(a) Five signs Samuel gave Saul as proof of the Lord's anointing (1 Samuel 10:1-9)

After Samuel anointed Saul with oil and kissed him, he told Saul that a series of signs would confirm that God had truly chosen him to be prince over Israel.

1. The two men at Rachel's tomb. On leaving Samuel, Saul would meet two men near Rachel's tomb at Zelzah in the territory of Benjamin, who would tell him that the lost donkeys he went to seek had been found.
2. The end of his father's anxiety. These men would report that his father had now stopped worrying about the donkeys and had become anxious instead about Saul himself, saying, What shall I do about my son?
3. The three men going up to Bethel. At the oak of Tabor he would meet three men going up to worship God at Bethel, one carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine; they would greet him and give him two loaves of bread, which he was to accept.
4. The company of prophets and the Spirit of God. At Gibeah of God, near the Philistine garrison, he would meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute and lyre, prophesying, and the Spirit of the Lord would come mightily upon him.
5. His transformation into another man. He would prophesy along with them and be turned into another man, a new person fitted for kingship. Samuel added that when these signs came to pass, Saul should do whatever his hand found to do, for God was with him.

The text records that as Saul turned to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart, and all these signs came to pass that same day.

(b) Two moral qualities derived from the episode

• Obedience. Saul followed Samuel's instructions and went where he was directed; readiness to obey lawful authority and the word of God is essential.
• Humility. Though anointed king, Saul did not exalt himself; he even hid among the baggage at his public presentation, showing that God honours the humble rather than the proud.