What significance do the "two men" have in God's plan for Saul? Setting the Scene “ ‘When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, “The donkeys you went to look for have been found, and now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and is worried about you. He is asking, ‘What shall I do about my son?’ ” ’ ” (1 Samuel 10:2) Why Two Men and Not One—or Three? • Legal Witnesses – Deuteronomy 19:15 sets the precedent that “every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” – By meeting exactly two men, Saul receives the minimum number of witnesses necessary for a matter to be confirmed under the Law. • Economy of the Sign – One witness would not satisfy Mosaic requirements; three would duplicate the later sign of “three men going up to God” (10:3). – God crafts each sign with precision, avoiding redundancy while fulfilling His own standards. Confirming Saul’s Divine Appointment • Immediate Validation – Samuel had just anointed Saul (10:1). – The men’s words match Samuel’s prophecy verbatim, proving that the anointing was not Samuel’s idea but God’s. – Parallel: Gideon receives confirming signs in Judges 6:36-40. • Shifting Saul’s Focus – The lost donkeys had driven Saul’s journey (9:3). – Hearing they are found frees Saul mentally to embrace a larger calling (10:2). – God often removes lesser concerns so His servants can pursue greater ones (Matthew 6:33). Strengthening Trust in God’s Sovereign Detail • Geographic Specificity – “Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin” pinpoints the encounter, demonstrating God’s intimate knowledge of time and place (Psalm 139:1-3). – Saul learns that nothing in his life is random; the Almighty charts even ordinary travels. • Personal Reassurance – The message about Kish’s worry communicates God’s care for family relationships. – Saul will rule a nation; hearing that his own father’s heart matters to God underlines the relational nature of divine leadership (Psalm 103:13). Foreshadowing Saul’s Kingly Role • From Searcher to Shepherd – Saul’s first “royal act” is indirectly caring for lost animals. – Israel will likewise need a shepherd-king (2 Samuel 7:8). – The two men herald a transition from mundane caretaker to national leader. • Tribal Identity – Meeting at Rachel’s tomb reminds Saul of his heritage; Rachel was mother to Benjamin and Joseph (Genesis 35:19). – God roots Saul’s kingship in covenant history, connecting past promises to future rule. Patterns of Divine Guidance • Sequential Signs – Two men (10:2) → three men (10:3-4) → a band of prophets (10:5-6). – Each sign escalates in supernatural weight, training Saul to read and respond to God’s lead. • Faith-Building Strategy – God often starts with simpler proofs, building toward greater challenges (Exodus 4:1-9 for Moses). – By the time the Spirit rushes upon Saul (10:6), his confidence in God’s orchestration is already established. Takeaway The two men at Rachel’s tomb serve as God-appointed witnesses, timely messengers, and strategic reassurance, all woven together to confirm Saul’s anointing, shift his priorities, and anchor his trust in a sovereign, detail-oriented God who fulfills His word exactly as spoken. |
    |