What role does hospitality play in 1 Samuel 9:23 and our lives today? Hospitality at Samuel’s Table “Then Samuel said to the cook, ‘Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.’ So the cook lifted up the thigh and presented it to Saul, and Samuel said, ‘Here is what was reserved for you. Eat, for it has been kept for you until the appointed time, so that you could eat with the guests.’ And Saul ate with Samuel that day.” (1 Samuel 9:23-24) What the Passage Teaches about Hospitality • Intentional preparation – Samuel told the cook in advance to reserve the choicest portion. – Hospitality plans ahead, anticipating needs (cf. Genesis 18:6-8). • Honor bestowed – The thigh was the priest’s portion (Leviticus 7:31-32); giving it to Saul publicly exalted him. – Welcoming others means elevating them above ourselves (Philippians 2:3). • Prophetic invitation – This meal marked Saul’s calling as Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 9:16-17). – Our tables can become settings where God’s purposes unfold. • Shared fellowship before service – Saul dined with Samuel before hearing God’s word for him (1 Samuel 9:27). – People often receive truth more readily after they receive care (Romans 12:13). Hospitality Reflects God’s Heart • God welcomes the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:18-19). • Jesus ate with sinners and outcasts (Luke 19:5-7). • Believers are urged, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). Hospitality in Our Lives Today • Open homes and hearts – Invite neighbors, coworkers, and church visitors for a meal. – Keep a “reserved portion” (time, budget, space) set aside for guests. • Honor through action – Serve the best you have, not leftovers. – Listen more than you speak; give guests a place of prominence. • Expect divine appointments – Pray that each gathering advances God’s plan, just as Samuel’s meal advanced Saul’s calling. – Be ready to share Scripture and encouragement naturally (1 Peter 4:9-10). Practical Next Steps • This week, schedule one meal specifically to bless someone outside your immediate circle. • Prepare something special—no matter how simple—to convey value. • During the meal, speak words of affirmation rooted in Scripture (e.g., Numbers 6:24-26). • Afterward, follow up with continued friendship, showing that hospitality is a lifestyle, not an event. By setting aside our best for others, we join Samuel in demonstrating that every table can become a stage for God’s redemptive work. |
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