1 Samuel 9:22-27: a reflection

22Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons. 23Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.’” 24The cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Saul. Samuel said, “Behold, that which has been reserved! Set it before yourself and eat; because it has been kept for you for the appointed time, for I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. 25When they had come down from the high place into the city, he talked with Saul on the housetop. 26They arose early; and about daybreak, Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, “Get up, that I may send you away.” Saul arose, and they both went outside, he and Samuel, together. 27As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.” He went ahead, then Samuel said, “But stand still first, that I may cause you to hear God’s message.”

As Samuel prepares to reveal to Saul the calling God has for him, he draws Saul apart, and at the last says something worth noticing: Tell the servant to go on ahead of us, and then, stand still first, that I may cause you to hear God's message. Before Saul could hear the word of God, he had to stand still. Samuel sent the servant on, and had Saul pause, be still, before he spoke God's message to him. The hearing of God's word called for stillness.

Notice that Saul was told to stand still to hear God's word. Samuel did not deliver the message while they walked on amid distraction; he had Saul stop, be still, and then he spoke the word of God. There is something in the hearing of God's word that calls for stillness, for pausing from the motion and distraction of ordinary activity, that we may attend to what God says. Saul had to stand still to hear; the word of God was given to the one who paused to receive it.

That is worth taking to heart, for we often try to hear God amid constant motion and distraction, without ever being still. Our lives are full of activity, hurry, and noise; and we can go on in the motion without ever pausing to be still before God and attend to his word. But Saul was told to stand still to hear God's message. If you would hear God's word, learn to stand still, to pause from the motion and distraction of your activity, and attend to him. God's word is often missed not because he does not speak, but because we never grow still enough to hear. Make room for stillness before God, pausing from the hurry and noise, that you may hear his word, as Saul was told to stand still that he might hear God's message. The hearing of God calls for stillness; be still, and attend, rather than rushing on amid distraction and missing what he would say.

Lord, as Samuel prepared to reveal to Saul the calling you had for him, he drew Saul apart, and at the last said something worth noticing: tell the servant to go on ahead of us, and then, stand still first, that I may cause you to hear God's message. Before Saul could hear your word, he had to stand still. Show me that Saul was told to stand still to hear your word. Samuel did not deliver the message while they walked on amid distraction; he had Saul stop, be still, and then he spoke your word. There is something in the hearing of your word that calls for stillness, for pausing from the motion and distraction of ordinary activity, that I may attend to what you say. Saul had to stand still to hear. Take that to my heart, for I often try to hear you amid constant motion and distraction, without ever being still. My life is full of activity, hurry, and noise; and I can go on in the motion without ever pausing to be still before you and attend to your word. But Saul was told to stand still to hear. If I would hear your word, help me learn to stand still, to pause from the motion and distraction of my activity, and attend to you. Your word is often missed not because you do not speak, but because I never grow still enough to hear. Help me make room for stillness before you, Lord, pausing from the hurry and noise, that I may hear your word, as Saul was told to stand still that he might hear your message.