The Glow Up Nobody Expected

Saul had just been looking for his dad's lost donkeys. That's it. Just a regular dude on an errand. But God had other plans — and Samuel, the last Prophet and judge of Israel, was about to change this man's entire life trajectory.

What happens next is one of the wildest origin stories in the Bible: a secret anointing, three specific signs that prove God is behind it, a supernatural transformation, and then the most relatable moment in all of Scripture — the newly chosen king of Israel hiding behind the luggage. Let's get into it.

1 Samuel 10:1-8 (ESV) After an entire night of private conversation, Samuel pulled out a flask of oil, poured it on Saul's head, kissed him, and dropped the announcement of a lifetime:

"The Lord has anointed you to be ruler over His people Israel. You will reign over the Lord's people and save them from their enemies."

(Quick context: anointing with oil was how God set someone apart for a specific calling. Kings, priests, Prophets — all got anointed. This wasn't a suggestion. This was a divine appointment.)

Then Samuel laid out three specific signs so Saul would know this was legit and not just some random prophet talking:

"First — when you leave me today, you'll meet two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah. They'll tell you, 'The donkeys you were looking for? Found. Your dad's not worried about the donkeys anymore — he's worried about YOU.'

Second — keep going to the oak of Tabor. Three men heading up to God at Bethel will meet you there. One's carrying three young goats, one's carrying three loaves of bread, one's carrying a skin of wine. They'll greet you and give you two of the loaves. Take them.

Third — you'll come to Gibeath-elohim, where there's a Philistine garrison. As soon as you enter the city, you'll run into a group of Prophets coming down from the high place with harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres — all prophesying. And then? The Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you. You'll prophesy with them and be turned into a completely different man.

When all these signs happen, do whatever God puts in front of you — because God is with you. Then go down to Gilgal and wait for me. I'll come within seven days to offer Sacrifices and show you what to do next."

Three signs, all specific, all verifiable. Samuel didn't just say "trust me bro." He gave Saul a roadmap so detailed that when it all played out exactly, there would be zero doubt God was behind it. That's elite-level confirmation. ✨

1 Samuel 10:9-13 (ESV) Here's where it gets wild. The moment Saul turned to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. Not a metaphor. Not a vibe shift. A genuine, supernatural internal transformation. And every single sign Samuel described? Happened. That. Same. Day.

When Saul arrived at Gibeah, a group of Prophets met him, the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he started prophesying right along with them. Full-on, Spirit-filled, can't-explain-it prophesying.

The people who knew him were shook:

"What happened to the son of Kish?? Is Saul really out here with the prophets?"

It became a whole proverb — "Is Saul also among the prophets?" — because nobody saw this coming. This was the donkey-chasing farm boy who was suddenly moving in the Spirit like he'd been doing it his whole life. One encounter with God and he was a completely different person. That's what a real glow up looks like — it's not about a new outfit. It's a new heart. 💯

1 Samuel 10:14-16 (ESV) After the prophesying was done, Saul went to the high place and ran into his uncle, who had questions:

"Where'd you go?"

"Looking for the donkeys. When we couldn't find them, we went to see Samuel."

"Oh? What did Samuel say?"

"He told us the donkeys were found."

That's it. That's all Saul said. He didn't mention the kingdom. Not a word about the anointing. The man had just been told he was going to be king of Israel, and he kept the whole thing to himself.

Whether that was Humility, wisdom, or Saul just not being ready to process it yet — the text doesn't say. But there's something lowkey impressive about someone who just got handed the biggest promotion of all time and didn't immediately post about it. 🤐

1 Samuel 10:17-19 (ESV) Samuel gathered all of Israel together at Mizpah for an official assembly before the Lord. But before any king got revealed, Samuel had something to say — and it wasn't a celebration speech:

"This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'I brought Israel out of Egypt. I delivered you from the Egyptians and from every kingdom that was crushing you.'

But today? You've rejected your God — the one who actually saves you from every disaster and every crisis — and you said to Him, 'Give us a king instead.' So fine. Present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes."

Samuel was making sure nobody forgot the context. God had been their King. God had been enough. But they wanted what everyone else had. And God, in His sovereignty, was going to give them what they asked for — while making it crystal clear they were choosing a downgrade. That's not petty. That's honest. ⚡

1 Samuel 10:20-24 (ESV) Now came the public selection. Samuel brought all the tribes forward, and the lot process narrowed it down — tribe of Benjamin... clan of the Matrites... and finally, Saul the son of Kish.

One problem: they couldn't find him.

They literally had to ask God again — "Is there even a man still to come?" — and the Lord's answer is genuinely one of the funniest lines in the entire Bible:

"He has hidden himself among the baggage."

The future king of Israel was behind the suitcases. They had to go drag him out. And when he finally stood up among the people, he was taller than everyone else from his shoulders up — this massive, imposing figure who had been crouching behind luggage trying not to be seen.

"Samuel said to all the people, 'Do you see the one the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.'"

And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"

The irony is thick. The man God chose to lead an entire nation didn't even want to be found. Whether that was nerves, insecurity, or genuine reluctance — it's one of the most relatable moments in Scripture. Sometimes God's call feels way too big for who you think you are. But God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called. 🫶

1 Samuel 10:25-27 (ESV) Samuel laid out the rights and responsibilities of the kingship, wrote them down in a book, and placed it before the Lord. Then he sent everyone home.

Saul went back to Gibeah, and men of valor whose hearts God had touched went with him. Not because of politics or ambition — because God moved their hearts to follow.

But not everyone was on board:

"Some worthless fellows said, 'How can THIS man save us?' And they despised him and brought him no gift."

First day as king and already catching hate. But here's what Saul did: he held his peace. No clap back. No retaliation. No proving himself. Just silence. And honestly? That might be the most kingly thing he did in his entire reign.

Every leader faces people who don't believe in them. The question isn't whether the haters show up — they always do. It's whether you let them dictate your response. Early Saul understood something that later Saul would forget: your calling doesn't need everyone's approval. 👑