Notice how this prophecy doesn't just tell Samuel where he'll find donkeys, but who he'll meet and what they'll say. The focus shifts to his father's anxiety for him, revealing that God sees not just our practical needs, but also the deeper relational concerns that weigh on our hearts.
When you depart from me today, you will meet two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has ceased to care about the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Saul is on a divinely orchestrated journey to discover his lost donkeys, but this mission quickly becomes a prelude to his anointing as king. Before this, his servant had suggested seeking a prophet's guidance, and now Samuel is sending Saul off with a series of specific signs. These encounters are designed to confirm God's choice and prepare Saul for the immense calling that awaits him, moving him from seeking lost animals to being Israel's future leader.
Saul was on a quest for lost donkeys. Little did he know, God was orchestrating an encounter that would change his life and the course of a nation. This story reminds us God sees and cares about our seemingly small worries.
God's Eye on the Ordinary
Saul's search for his father's donkeys feels pretty ordinary, right? But notice how God inserts Himself into this very specific, everyday problem. He doesn't just say, 'You'll be king.' He says, 'You'll meet two men by Rachel's tomb at Zelzah, and here's what they'll tell you.'
This shows us that God is intimately involved in the details of our lives, even the ones that seem insignificant to us. He's not just concerned with the 'big picture' spiritual stuff; He's present in the lost donkeys and the anxieties of family.
A Message of Reassurance
The message the men deliver is twofold:
Ask a follow-up
It wasn't just a random meeting; it was a carefully orchestrated sign from God. These encounters weren't just about confirming a future role, but about building faith in the present.
More Than Just Information
The encounter Saul has is described as a sign. These weren't just random events; they were divine confirmations meant to build understanding and trust. God isn't just predicting the future; He's actively revealing His hand in the present.
Building Trust Through Signs
God often uses specific, tangible signs to help His people trust Him, especially when stepping into new, daunting responsibilities. For Saul, this wasn't just about becoming king; it was about trusting the God who saw him, knew his situation, and chose him.
This moment captures the very beginning of Saul's public journey as king, highlighting the personal and familial backdrop against which his divinely appointed destiny unfolds.
c. 1077 BC
Samson's Judgeship Ends
The period of the Judges, a time of Israelite disunity and oppression, concludes around this time, leading into the demand for a king.
c. 1075 BC
Samuel's Sons Misbehave
The sons of the prophet Samuel, appointed as judges, act corruptly, fueling the people's desire for a king like other nations.
c. 1075 BC
Israel Demands a King
The elders of Israel approach Samuel, demanding a king to lead them, despite Samuel's warnings about the implications.
c. 1075 BC
Saul Anointed King
God instructs Samuel to anoint Saul, a young man from the tribe of Benjamin, as the first king of Israel.
c. 1075 BC
Saul Meets Prophets
After his anointing, Saul encounters a band of prophets leaving a high place, and he prophesies with them, startling those who know him.
c. 1075 BC— this verse
Saul's Father Anxious
Saul's father, Kish, is concerned about his son's whereabouts after Saul leaves home on an errand to find lost donkeys. This event triggers the public's awareness of Saul's potential kingship.
c. 1075 BC
Saul Presented as King
Samuel presents Saul to the assembled Israelites at Mizpah, and Saul is acclaimed king, though his kingship is not universally accepted initially.
This passage immediately precedes the one you provided and sets up the context of Saul seeking his father's lost donkeys, which directly leads to his anointing as king.
1 Samuel 10:6-13This section describes the immediate aftermath of the encounter with the two men, showing how the prophetic encounters begin to transform Saul's life and character, confirming the message he received.
Genesis 35:19-20This provides the geographical and historical anchor for the mention of Rachel's tomb, grounding the event in biblical history and connecting it to a significant matriarch of Israel.
John 15:16Jesus speaks about how He chose the disciples, not the other way around, mirroring how God sovereignly chose Saul for a purpose, even before Saul fully understood it.
Notice how this prophecy doesn't just tell Samuel where he'll find donkeys, but who he'll meet and what they'll say. The focus shifts to his father's anxiety for him, revealing that God sees not just our practical needs, but also the deeper relational concerns that weigh on our hearts.
Saul is on a divinely orchestrated journey to discover his lost donkeys, but this mission quickly becomes a prelude to his anointing as king. Before this, his servant had suggested seeking a prophet's guidance, and now Samuel is sending Saul off with a series of specific signs. These encounters are designed to confirm God's choice and prepare Saul for the immense calling that awaits him, moving him from seeking lost animals to being Israel's future leader.
Saul is on a divinely orchestrated journey to discover his lost donkeys, but this mission quickly becomes a prelude to his anointing as king. Before this, his servant had suggested seeking a prophet's guidance, and now Samuel is sending Saul off with a series of specific signs. These encounters are designed to confirm God's choice and prepare Saul for the immense calling that awaits him, moving him from seeking lost animals to being Israel's future leader.
"When you depart from me today, you will meet two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has ceased to care about the donkeys…" — Notice how this prophecy doesn't just tell Samuel where he'll find donkeys, but who he'll meet and what they'll say. The focus shifts to his father's anxiety for him, revealing that God sees no…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
