How does 1 Samuel 9:23 connect with God's guidance in Psalm 23? Setting the Scene • 1 Samuel 9 records Saul’s first encounter with Samuel. • Verse 23: “Then Samuel said to the cook, ‘Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.’” • The meal occurs in a high place of worship, just before Saul learns he has been chosen to be Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 9:27 – 10:1). God’s Hand in 1 Samuel 9:23 • Divine preparation—God had already directed Samuel to reserve the choicest cut for Saul. • Personal invitation—Saul is singled out and honored, a tangible sign of God’s call. • Provision in advance—before Saul even knew he was God’s chosen, the portion was waiting. • Guidance confirmed—Samuel’s prophetic act points Saul toward his new path (cf. Proverbs 16:9). Echoes in Psalm 23 • Psalm 23:1–3—God shepherds, leads, and provides “green pastures” and “still waters.” • Psalm 23:5—“You prepare a table before me… You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” • The shepherd’s care is not abstract; it is experienced in concrete acts of nourishment, honor, and protection. Connecting the Two Passages • Prepared Portion ↔ Prepared Table – As Samuel directs the cook, the LORD “prepares a table” for David (and by extension all His people). • Anointing of Saul ↔ Anointing Imagery – Saul’s forthcoming anointing (10:1) mirrors “You anoint my head with oil.” • Guidance Before Awareness – Saul’s portion was set aside before he arrived; likewise, Psalm 23 shows God guiding “in paths of righteousness” before the sheep know the route. • Assurance Amid Uncertainty – Saul was searching for lost donkeys (9:3–4); David speaks of “the valley of the shadow of death” (23:4). In both cases, God’s oversight turns confusion into calling. Living Lessons for Us Today • God prepares blessings ahead of our awareness—trust His unseen arrangements (Ephesians 2:10). • His guidance often comes through ordinary means—a meal, a conversation, a shepherd’s staff. • Honor and provision flow from His sovereignty, not our merit (James 1:17). • When paths seem random, remember Saul’s story: the Good Shepherd is already setting aside the exact portion we will need. |
    |