Donkey Moments in the Bible: 1 Sam 8 and others

If you ever thought donkeys were just background animals in the Bible—think again. These long-eared, slow-trotting creatures keep popping up right in the middle of divine drama, almost as if God enjoys reminding us that He can speak through anyone… or anything.

Take Balaam’s donkey, for example. When the prophet was spiritually blind, the donkey saw the angel standing in the way. Imagine Balaam—renowned prophet—arguing with a donkey who’s actually saving his life! Sometimes the people (or circumstances) we dismiss are the ones God uses to stop us from crashing head-first into trouble. Lesson: if your “donkey” is trying to get your attention, maybe listen before it has to speak in full sentences.

Then there’s Samson, who defeats a thousand Philistines with nothing but a donkey’s jawbone. Not exactly standard military equipment. If God can use a random jawbone lying in a field, He can certainly use your simple gifts. It’s comforting—and slightly hilarious—to know that divine power isn’t limited by the sophistication of the tool.

Saul’s kingship begins with… lost donkeys. While searching for them, he “accidentally” runs into Samuel and gets anointed the first king of Israel. Who knew destiny could begin with a domestic animal crisis? So the next time your day derails because of a minor inconvenience, remember: it might just be a divine setup.

And of course, Jesus’ grand entry into Jerusalem—on a donkey. No war horse, no golden chariot. Just a humble animal carrying the world’s true King. Heaven’s greatest moments often travel on the back of humility.

So here’s the final donkey wisdom: Never underestimate the humble, the ordinary, the inconvenient, or the ridiculous. In God’s hands, even donkeys carry destiny—and sometimes, they carry the King Himself.