Wanted: A young man or woman of distinction who carries himself decently and dutifully.

If you asked any employer if they would be interested in an employee with these qualities, most likely they would not hesitate to say, “Yes!” Who wouldn’t want someone working in their business with these characteristics? The fact they carry themselves decently and with purpose makes them stand out from the rest of the group.

Israel wanted a king so they could be like the other nations. They really wanted to have “something” they could domesticate for their purposes. They wanted to feel important because they could point to their king. God introduces the type of king the people really want in 1 Samuel 9.  

1 Samuel 9:2
And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

Israel had placed a “help wanted ad” and here is the perfect candidate for the position. The Bible describes him as “a choice young man.” He is a young man of distinction. He stands out from the rest of the bunch. He was “goodly” and, lest you think this man is mediocre, he is the “goodliest” of all Israel. This describes Saul’s decency. He was polite and well-mannered. All of the moms thought he would make a good husband for their daughters because he treated everyone with dignity and respect. Not only that, but he was dashing. Saul was noticeably taller than everyone else in Israel. He also had a sense of duty. The author spends a decent amount of space writing about the events leading up to Saul’s selection as the prince of Israel. Saul has been searching high and low for his father’s lost donkeys.

Kish, Saul’s father, is described as “a mighty man of power.” This is the same description given to Gideon and Jephthah. Even Boaz is described this way. The last time we saw this word in 1 Samuel is in Hannah’s prayer.

1 Samuel 2:4
The bows of the mighty men are broken, And they that stumbled are girded with strength.

The Lord girds those with strength who stumble, but the bows of the mighty men are broken. The primary question is what kind of man is Saul? Is he the kind of man who leans upon his strength as the mighty men do in this verse? Or is he one whom the Lord will gird with strength?

If you imagine that you have never read through the story of Saul, then wouldn’t you naturally believe this man is the chosen leader of Israel?

There is tension between Kish, the mighty man, and Boaz, the mighty man. What will mean the difference between these two families in Israel?

It comes down to who will not answer the help wanted but ask for help wanted. Saul fills the help wanted ad perfectly, but he does not feel the need for help. David, at first, does not seem to fill the help wanted as well as Saul does, but he feels the need for help deep within his soul. He knows he needs the strength of God to sustain him.

Do not rely on your own strength. Ask for help from the Lord instead of being independent.

Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord.