1 Samuel 9:12

KJV

And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, [he is] before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for [there is] a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:

KJV (with Strong's)

And they answered {H6030} them, and said {H559}, He is {H3426}; behold, he is before {H6440} you: make haste {H4116} now, for he came {H935} to day {H3117} to the city {H5892}; for there is a sacrifice {H2077} of the people {H5971} to day {H3117} in the high place {H1116}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The girls answered them, "He's here, he's right ahead of you. Hurry now, he just came into the city today, because the people are sacrificing today at the high place.

Berean Standard Bible

“Yes, he is ahead of you,” they answered. “Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place.

American Standard Version

And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before thee: make haste now, for he is come to-day into the city; for the people have a sacrifice to-day in the high place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 9:12 records the crucial encounter between Saul and young women at the city gate, who confirm the prophet Samuel's presence and the urgency of meeting him. This seemingly mundane exchange about the whereabouts of the "seer" is, in fact, a divinely orchestrated moment, setting the stage for Saul's anointing as Israel's first king and highlighting God's meticulous providence in guiding individuals toward His sovereign purposes, even through unexpected circumstances like a search for lost donkeys.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the broader narrative of 1 Samuel 9, which details Saul's unexpected journey to meet Samuel. The chapter begins with Saul's search for his father Kish's lost donkeys, leading him far from home. After exhausting their efforts, Saul's servant suggests consulting a "man of God" in a nearby city, renowned for his prophetic insight (1 Samuel 9:6-8). As they approach the city, they encounter young women drawing water, a common setting for significant biblical encounters (e.g., [Genesis 24](/genesis/24 "Genesis 24 - Rebekah at the Well") or [Exodus 2](/exodus/2 "Exodus 2 - Moses at the Well")). Saul's direct question about the seer's location is met with an equally direct and urgent response in verse 12, immediately preceding his fated meeting with Samuel, who God had already prepared for Saul's arrival (1 Samuel 9:15-16). This interaction serves as the immediate bridge between Saul's mundane task and his divine appointment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of 1 Samuel takes place during the transitional period in Israel's history, moving from the era of judges to the monarchy. Samuel is the last of the judges and a prominent prophet, serving as God's primary voice to the people. The mention of a "high place" (Hebrew: _bamah_) is significant. In this early period, before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, "high places" were often legitimate, local sites for worship, sacrifice, and communal feasts. These were not necessarily idolatrous, but rather regional altars where people gathered to offer sacrifices to Yahweh. The "sacrifice of the people" implies a communal peace offering or fellowship offering, which typically concluded with a shared meal, emphasizing the social and celebratory aspect of worship. The urgency conveyed by the young women ("make haste now") indicates that the sacrificial meal was about to begin, and Samuel, as the presiding figure, was essential for its commencement. This highlights the decentralized nature of Israelite worship before a central sanctuary.

* **Key Themes:** The events of 1 Samuel 9, culminating in this verse, powerfully illustrate several key themes. **Divine Providence and Guidance** is paramount; what appears to be a series of coincidences—lost donkeys, the servant's suggestion, the timely encounter with the young women—is meticulously orchestrated by God to bring Saul to Samuel. This underscores God's sovereign hand in directing human steps, even in seemingly ordinary circumstances, as highlighted in [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps"). Another theme is **Preparation for Leadership**, as Saul, unknowingly, is being led to his divine appointment as Israel's first king. God had already revealed His plan to Samuel the day before, stating He would send a man from Benjamin to be anointed as leader over His people (1 Samuel 9:16). This moment also offers a glimpse into **Israelite Worship Practices** during the pre-monarchy period, showcasing the role of prophets like Samuel in presiding over communal sacrifices at local altars, which served as vital centers for both religious devotion and social cohesion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **High Place (Hebrew, _bāmâ_):** This term refers to an elevated place, often a natural hill or an artificial mound, used for religious worship. While later in Israelite history, _bāmôt_ (plural) became associated with forbidden idolatrous worship and were frequently condemned (e.g., [1 Kings 14:23](/1_kings/14-23 "1 Kings 14:23 - Condemnation of High Places")), in the time of Samuel and the early monarchy, they were often accepted sites for legitimate worship and communal gatherings. Here, it signifies a recognized and legitimate place where Samuel, as a prophet, would lead the community in sacrifice and feasting, underscoring the decentralized nature of worship before the Temple's construction.
* **Sacrifice (Hebrew, _zevach_):** This word denotes an animal sacrifice, specifically one that culminates in a communal meal. In this context, it likely refers to a _zevach sh'lamim_ (peace offering or fellowship offering), where a portion of the animal was offered to God, and the remainder was shared by the worshipers and priests. The "sacrifice of the people" emphasizes the communal aspect, indicating a shared meal following the offering. This communal feast was a significant social and religious event, explaining the urgency for Saul and his servant to arrive before the meal commenced.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, [he is] before you:"** The young women's response is direct and immediate, confirming Samuel's presence in the city. The phrase "He is; behold, he is before you" is an emphatic affirmation, leaving no doubt about the seer's proximity. This directness contrasts with the uncertainty Saul and his servant had experienced, signaling a turning point in their search.
* **"make haste now, for he came to day to the city;"** This clause introduces an element of urgency. The women instruct Saul and his servant to hurry, explaining that Samuel had only just arrived in the city that day. This timing is crucial, as it implies a narrow window of opportunity to meet him, reinforcing the sense of divine orchestration in Saul's journey.
* **"for [there is] a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:"** This final clause provides the reason for Samuel's presence and the urgency. Samuel is in the city to preside over a communal sacrifice at the local high place. This sacrifice is not just a private ritual but a "sacrifice of the people," indicating a significant public event involving the entire community, likely followed by a shared meal. Samuel's role as the presiding figure highlights his authority and importance as God's representative in that region.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 1 Samuel 9:12 employs several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Saul, searching for lost donkeys, is unwittingly led directly to Samuel, who will anoint him king. The women's casual revelation of Samuel's presence and purpose stands in stark contrast to the momentous destiny awaiting Saul. There is also a strong element of **Divine Orchestration**, as the entire sequence of events, from the lost donkeys to this timely encounter, is clearly guided by God's unseen hand, preparing Saul for his unexpected calling. The urgency conveyed by "make haste now" also creates **Suspense**, building anticipation for the meeting between Saul and Samuel, which the reader knows is divinely appointed. The phrase "behold, he is before you" serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, signaling the immediate and impactful encounter that is about to unfold.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the theme of God's meticulous providence, demonstrating how He orchestrates seemingly mundane events to fulfill His sovereign purposes. Saul's journey, initially driven by a simple task of finding lost donkeys, becomes a divinely guided path to his anointing as king. This highlights that God is actively involved in the details of our lives, often working behind the scenes in ways we do not immediately perceive, leading us to our appointed places and tasks. The communal sacrifice also underscores the importance of corporate worship and the role of God's appointed leaders in facilitating spiritual life within the community, even in the absence of a centralized sanctuary.

* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Psalm 37:23](/psalms/37-23 "Psalm 37:23 - The Steps of a Good Man")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 9:12 serves as a profound reminder that God's plans often unfold in unexpected ways, through ordinary circumstances and seemingly insignificant encounters. We, like Saul, can become so focused on our immediate concerns—our "lost donkeys"—that we miss the larger divine narrative unfolding around us. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of attentiveness and trust, recognizing that even when our paths seem circuitous or our efforts unfruitful, God is actively working to guide us toward His ultimate purposes. It challenges us to look beyond the surface of our daily lives and discern the hand of God at work, trusting that He is sovereignly directing our steps, even when we are unaware of the grand design. Our mundane tasks can become the very means through which God leads us to our divine appointments, if only we remain open and responsive to His subtle guidance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "mundane" or challenging circumstances in your life might God be working to bring about a greater purpose?**
* **How does the idea of God's meticulous providence, as seen in this verse, impact your trust in His timing and direction?**
* **What "lost donkeys" are you currently focused on, and how might shifting your perspective reveal God's unseen hand at work?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence and guidance in the ordinary details of your daily life?**

### FAQ

**Why were "high places" acceptable for worship in Samuel's time but later condemned?**

Answer: In the early period of Israel's history, before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, "high places" (Hebrew: _bāmôt_) were common and often legitimate sites for worship and sacrifice to Yahweh. They served as local altars where prophets like Samuel could preside over communal offerings, especially in the absence of a central sanctuary. However, over time, these sites became problematic. Many were corrupted by syncretistic practices, where Israelites blended the worship of Yahweh with the worship of Canaanite deities, or they were used for unauthorized and illegitimate forms of worship. Consequently, later biblical texts, particularly in the books of [Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Books of Kings") and [Chronicles](/1_chronicles/1 "The Books of Chronicles"), strongly condemn the high places, advocating for a centralized worship system at the Temple in Jerusalem as the sole legitimate place for sacrifice (see [Deuteronomy 12:5-14](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5-14 - The Chosen Place of Worship")). The mention in 1 Samuel 9:12 reflects the earlier, more decentralized, and often legitimate, worship practices of the time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly ordinary events of 1 Samuel 9:12, where Saul is providentially guided to Samuel for anointing, find a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate King, Jesus. Just as Saul was chosen and anointed to lead Israel, Jesus is the [Anointed One](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus, the Anointed One"), the true King of Israel and the world, whose kingship is not temporary or flawed like Saul's, but eternal and perfect (cf. [Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - His Kingdom Will Have No End")). The "sacrifice of the people" at the high place, a foreshadowing of communal worship and atonement, points to Christ's singular and ultimate sacrifice on the cross, which was not merely a communal meal but the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His sacrifice at Calvary, the ultimate "high place," was a once-for-all atonement for all people, establishing a new covenant and inviting all to partake in the spiritual feast of His salvation (cf. [Hebrews 9:26-28](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26-28 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). Thus, Saul's journey to a provisional king and a temporary sacrifice ultimately directs our gaze to Jesus, the King of kings, whose perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection provide eternal kingship and everlasting fellowship with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 31:54

Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

1 Samuel 16:2

And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear [it], he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.

1 Samuel 10:5

After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where [is] the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:

1 Kings 3:2

Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.

1 Kings 3:4

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that [was] the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

Deuteronomy 12:6

And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:

Deuteronomy 12:7

And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.