1 Samuel 9:7-8
Then Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?” The servant answered Saul again, “Here, I have with me a quarter of a shekel of silver, and I will give it to the man of God to tell us our way.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Saul's question, "What do we have?", reveals he's not just worried about a lack of gifts, but a deeper scarcity of resources altogether. He's focused on tangible things, missing that the real "present" God might be interested in is his availability and willingness.
Saul and his servant are on a journey to find his father's lost donkeys, and they've traveled quite a distance. They've realized they are in unfamiliar territory and decide to seek out a local prophet, Samuel, for guidance, but Saul worries they have no gift or offering to present to him, as was customary when approaching someone of significant status or authority. This concern about an appropriate gift sets up their encounter with Samuel and Saul's initial misunderstanding of why he's been summoned.
Saul, a prince and future king, finds himself worried about what to give a man of God. What does this reveal about the power of God's messengers?
A Prince's Humble Concern
When Saul and his servant set out to find the lost donkeys, they eventually seek out the prophet Samuel. Notice Saul's immediate concern: "But if we go, what can we bring the man?" This isn't just about lacking snacks; it's about respecting the spiritual authority of Samuel.
In ancient Israel, bringing a gift to a prophet or a wise elder was a sign of respect and an acknowledgment of their spiritual insight. It was an offering of honor. Saul, despite his high status, recognizes that Samuel stands in a different, higher realm because of his connection to God. He's not just a wise guy; he's a man of God, and that commands a special kind of deference.
Saul's resources are depleted, leaving him feeling empty-handed. Have you ever felt like you had nothing valuable to offer God or His people?
Empty Sacks, Full Potential
Saul's lament, "For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring... What do we have?" points to a feeling of inadequacy. His physical provisions are gone, and he doesn't feel he has anything substantial to offer the prophet.
This is a powerful human moment. We often measure our worth or our ability to engage with God by what we can produce or bring. But God's economy doesn't always work that way. Even when we feel we have nothing—no impressive talents, no significant offerings, no perfect words—God can still use us and meet us.
Understand the original words
minchah · Hebrew Noun
An offering or gift presented to someone in authority, a superior, or a holy person as a token of respect, to secure favor, or as an act of homage.
This passage occurs during a critical transition period where Saul's reign is faltering, and God has already set in motion the process of choosing his successor, David. Saul's humble circumstances and uncertainty reflect the instability of his kingdom and his own precarious position.
c. 1100 BC
United Monarchy Established
Samuel, the last judge, anoints Saul as Israel's first king, marking a significant shift from tribal confederation to a centralized monarchy.
c. 1090 BC
Saul's Early Reign
Saul begins his kingship, facing ongoing Philistine threats and internal challenges in uniting the tribes under his rule.
c. 1080 BC
Saul's Disobedience
Saul makes unauthorized sacrifices and disobeys a direct command from Samuel regarding the Amalekites, leading to God's rejection of his dynasty.
c. 1070 BC— this verse
Samuel Seeks a New King
Samuel, acting on God's instruction, travels to Bethlehem to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse, as the future king of Israel.
This passage shows another instance where God chooses someone unexpected for a significant role, highlighting that God's perspective on leadership and worth is vastly different from human expectations, just as Saul initially didn't expect to be chosen.
Exodus 3:11Moses voices a similar doubt about his own inadequacy and lack of resources when confronted with God's call, mirroring Saul's feeling of having 'nothing' to bring or offer when facing a divine encounter.
1 Samuel 10:22This verse shows God's affirmation of Saul's calling through a hidden message, further emphasizing the divine orchestration behind Saul's rise, even when he felt unprepared and insignificant.
Proverbs 3:5-6Saul's journey begins with him seeking guidance for his lost donkeys, which unexpectedly leads him to Samuel and a new destiny; this echoes the wisdom of trusting God's guidance even in seemingly mundane or frustrating circumstances.
Saul's question, "What do we have?", reveals he's not just worried about a lack of gifts, but a deeper scarcity of resources altogether. He's focused on tangible things, missing that the real "present" God might be interested in is his availability and willingness.
Saul and his servant are on a journey to find his father's lost donkeys, and they've traveled quite a distance. They've realized they are in unfamiliar territory and decide to seek out a local prophet, Samuel, for guidance, but Saul worries they have no gift or offering to present to him, as was customary when approaching someone of significant status or authority. This concern about an appropriate gift sets up their encounter with Samuel and Saul's initial misunderstanding of why he's been summoned.
Saul and his servant are on a journey to find his father's lost donkeys, and they've traveled quite a distance. They've realized they are in unfamiliar territory and decide to seek out a local prophet, Samuel, for guidance, but Saul worries they have no gift or offering to present to him, as was customary when approaching someone of significant status or authority. This concern about an appropriate gift sets up their encounter with Samuel and Saul's initial misunderstanding of why he's been summoned.
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c. 1070 BC
Saul's Troubled Spirit
A troubled spirit begins to plague Saul, and his servants suggest music as a potential remedy, leading to the introduction of David into the royal court.
"Then Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?” The servant answered Saul again, “Here, I have with me a qua…" — Saul's question, "What do we have?", reveals he's not just worried about a lack of gifts, but a deeper scarcity of resources altogether. He's focused on tangible things, missing that the real "pres…
