What does Saul's interaction with his uncle teach about discretion and wisdom? Setting the Scene “Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, ‘Where did you go?’ ‘To look for the donkeys,’ Saul replied. ‘When we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.’ ‘Tell me, please,’ Saul’s uncle said. ‘What did Samuel say to you?’ ‘He assured us that the donkeys had been found,’ Saul replied. But Saul did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.” (1 Samuel 10:14-16) Key Observations • Saul answers honestly about the search for the donkeys. • He mentions visiting Samuel but withholds the private revelation of his anointing as king. • The silence is deliberate—Samuel had warned him to wait for further public confirmation (1 Samuel 10:1, 7). Lessons in Discretion • Guard confidential matters. – Proverbs 12:23: “A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.” Saul models prudence by not broadcasting news meant for the proper time. • Wait for God’s timing. – Ecclesiastes 3:7 speaks of “a time to be silent and a time to speak.” Samuel would soon gather Israel and present Saul publicly (1 Samuel 10:17-24). Saul’s silence preserves that timing. • Resist self-promotion. – Proverbs 27:2: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.” By keeping quiet, Saul avoids appearing to grasp power prematurely. • Protect the integrity of divine messages. – Matthew 7:6 warns against casting pearls before swine; sacred revelation deserves careful stewardship. Supporting Scriptures on Wise Speech • Proverbs 10:19: “When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” • James 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.” • Luke 2:19 shows Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart,” illustrating reflective silence when God reveals something weighty. Practical Takeaways for Today • Share only what edifies and is timely; hold sensitive details until God clearly opens the door. • Silence can be an act of faith—trusting the Lord to unfold His plan without our premature announcements. • Humility expresses itself not merely in words spoken but in words withheld. |
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