How do you select and nurture leaders? They aren’t chosen solely on experience and competence. Anyone working for an organization knows that certain people get promoted and others even more qualified get passed over. Various situational factors encourage leadership opportunities to emerge. Good physical appearance, pleasing personality, servant heart and timing all work together. Saul is a good example of someone who was selected as a leader and given every opportunity to succeed. Both divine and human factors came together in Saul’s selection and nurturing by Samuel.
Saul who was handsome and taller than anyone else searched for his father’s donkeys. He passed through land of Ephraim, Shalishah, Shaalim and Benjamites, but did not find them (1 Sam. 9:1-4). A good outward appearance and servant heart set people up for leadership opportunities.
When they came to land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that they should return so his father would not be anxious. His servant spoke about a man of God who could tell them about their journey. Saul responded that they had no present to bring for the man of God. After the servant answered that he had a ¼ shekel of silver, they went to the city where the man of God was (1 Sam. 9:5-10). God sovereignly arranges circumstances so people can take advantage of leadership opportunities.
A young woman told them that the man of God would be blessing the sacrifice people prepared on the high place before they ate. Saul and his servant went up to the city and Samuel came toward them to go up to the high place (1 Sam. 9:11-14). God arranges divine coincidences in meeting the right person at the right time.
Lord revealed to Samuel that in response to peoples’ cry, God sent a man from Benjamin for him to anoint as prince over Israel to deliver His people from the Philistines. God revealed to Samuel that Saul was the person to rule over His people. Samuel told Saul that he would eat with him, tell him everything that was on his mind, including his donkey, which had been found; he communicated to Saul that he and his household were most desirable. Saul responded, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin. Why then do you speak to me in this way?” (1 Sam. 9:15-21). A humble attitude that recognizes one’s inadequacies prepares people for leadership.
Samuel placed Saul and his servant at the head of those invited and a leg reserved for this appointed time. Saul ate with Samuel that day (1 Sam. 9:22-24). Showing special honor encourages people to serve as leaders.
When they came down from the high place, Samuel woke up Saul early so he could send him away. As they were going to the edge of the city, Samuel told Saul to have his servant go ahead that the former “may proclaim the word of God to you” (1 Sam. 9:25-27). Prophets listen to God for His choice of leaders and equip them by sharing His word.
1. How has God used the underlined principles in your life?
2. Which of these principles in selecting and nurturing leaders do you most identify with?
3. Which of them challenge you the most?
