1 Sam. 8-10

Saul was commissioned by his father to find two donkeys that had run away. He and a servant had exhausted their search. The servant suggested they consult the prophet, Samuel, to let God help them find the animals. Sure enough, Samuel knew where they were and predicted their capture. What’s more, God gave Samuel the insight that Saul was to be Israel’s king. God gave Samuel the job of anointing Saul.

Also called a seer, Samuel possessed a unique ability to know the future as was necessary to fulfill God’s plan. This was a gift of God. The Lord knows the future like He knows the present and the past. He can give this knowledge to people as He deems fit. Although this gift and operation of His Spirit has been misused, it still exists. [Eph. 3:5; 4:11]