1 Samuel 9:15

KJV

Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Now the LORD {H3068} had told {H1540} Samuel {H8050} in his ear {H241} a {H259} day {H3117} before {H6440} Saul {H7586} came {H935}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

The day before Sha'ul arrived, ADONAI had given Sh'mu'el a revelation:

Berean Standard Bible

Now on the day before Saul’s arrival, the LORD had revealed to Samuel,

American Standard Version

Now Jehovah had revealed unto Samuel a day before Saul came, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 9:15 serves as a pivotal moment, revealing God's sovereign orchestration of events leading to the anointing of Israel's first king. It highlights the intimate and direct communication between the LORD and His prophet Samuel, who is divinely informed a day in advance of Saul's arrival. This pre-revelation underscores God's omniscience and His meticulous planning, setting the stage for Saul's unexpected encounter with Samuel and his subsequent anointing, thereby transitioning Israel from a judgeship to a monarchy under divine guidance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of [1 Samuel 9](/1_samuel/9 "1 Samuel 9 - Saul's Encounter with Samuel"), which details Saul's seemingly mundane search for his father's lost donkeys. The preceding verses (e.g., [1 Samuel 9:3-5](/1_samuel/9-3 "1 Samuel 9:3-5 - Saul's Search for Donkeys") and [1 Samuel 9:6-10](/1_samuel/9-6 "1 Samuel 9:6-10 - Saul's Decision to Consult Samuel")) describe Saul's journey and his servant's suggestion to consult a "man of God" (Samuel) in the town of Zuph. While Saul is unknowingly being led by divine providence towards his destiny, 1 Samuel 9:15 provides the reader with critical behind-the-scenes information: God has already prepared Samuel for Saul's arrival. This dramatic irony—the reader knows what Saul does not—builds anticipation for the momentous encounter that will unfold in the subsequent verses ([1 Samuel 9:16-17](/1_samuel/9-16 "1 Samuel 9:16-17 - God's Revelation of Saul to Samuel")). It frames Saul's "chance" meeting with Samuel as a divinely orchestrated appointment, not a coincidence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges, preceding the monarchy, was characterized by spiritual decline, moral chaos, and a lack of centralized leadership, famously summarized by the phrase "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes")). Israel had recently suffered significant defeats at the hands of the Philistines, even losing the Ark of the Covenant ([1 Samuel 4](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4 - The Loss of the Ark")). The people, desiring to be "like all the nations," had clamored for a king ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King")), a request initially displeasing to Samuel but ultimately permitted by God as a concession to their persistent demand. Samuel, as the last of the Judges and a revered prophet, served as the primary conduit for divine communication. His role was crucial in guiding the nation and facilitating this transition, making God's direct revelation to him concerning the first king a matter of profound national and theological significance. The cultural expectation was that a prophet would receive direct messages from God, often through visions, dreams, or audible words, and then convey them to the people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Rise of the Monarchy") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's active control over human history and individual destinies, even in seemingly ordinary circumstances like a search for lost donkeys. God's plan for Israel's monarchy was established before Saul's arrival, underscoring that His purposes are not thwarted by human actions but often unfold through them ([Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")). Secondly, it emphasizes the theme of **Divine Revelation and Prophetic Authority**. Samuel's unique relationship with God, where the LORD speaks "in his ear," reaffirms his role as God's trusted messenger, a pattern seen throughout biblical history where God reveals His plans to His prophets ([Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Secrets to His Servants the Prophets")). Finally, it introduces the theme of **God's Preparation for Leadership**, showing that God not only chooses leaders but meticulously prepares the way for their appointment, ensuring that His chosen instruments are ready for their divine assignments.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **told (Hebrew, _gālāh'_):** While often translated "reveal" or "uncover," in this context, the Hiphil perfect form of _gālāh_ (גָּלָה) implies a direct, clear, and intentional disclosure. The phrase "uncovered the ear" (as literally rendered in some translations) is an idiom for intimate and confidential communication, suggesting God spoke directly and personally to Samuel, removing any veil or mystery from His intention. It signifies a private, unmistakable revelation, not a general impression or a vision that might require interpretation.
* **in his ear (Hebrew, _bəʾoznô'_):** This idiomatic expression literally means "in his ear" and reinforces the intimacy and directness of the divine communication. Unlike visions or dreams that might require interpretation, this phrase suggests an audible or deeply impressed, unmistakable word from God. It highlights the unique relationship Samuel had with the LORD, where divine secrets were shared directly and personally, ensuring Samuel's full comprehension and readiness to act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the LORD had told Samuel":** This opening clause immediately establishes God as the primary actor and initiator of the events. The Hebrew verb is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action that occurred prior to the narrative present, emphasizing God's pre-emptive knowledge and sovereign planning. It underscores that the ensuing events are not coincidental but divinely orchestrated.
* **"in his ear":** This idiomatic phrase, as discussed in Key Word Analysis, signifies an intimate, direct, and unmistakable revelation. It suggests a personal, confidential communication from God to Samuel, bypassing any need for interpretation or public proclamation at this stage. It highlights Samuel's unique prophetic status and his close relationship with the divine.
* **"a day before Saul came":** This precise temporal marker emphasizes God's omniscience and foreknowledge. God knew not only that Saul was coming but also the exact timing of his arrival. This detail reinforces the theme of divine sovereignty, demonstrating that God prepares His servants and orchestrates circumstances well in advance to fulfill His purposes, leaving nothing to chance.
* **"saying,":** This concluding word serves as a direct transition to the specific content of God's revelation to Samuel, which is then detailed in the subsequent verses ([1 Samuel 9:16-17](/1_samuel/9-16 "1 Samuel 9:16-17 - God's Instructions for Saul's Anointing")). It signals that what follows is the direct divine instruction or prophecy that Samuel received.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as God's pre-revelation to Samuel sets the stage for the dramatic and pivotal encounter with Saul that is about to unfold. The reader is given privileged information, creating **Dramatic Irony**, where the audience is aware of Saul's true destiny and the divine orchestration of his journey, while Saul himself remains oblivious to the profound significance of his donkey hunt. This contrast heightens the anticipation for the meeting. The phrase "told Samuel in his ear" is an **Idiom** for intimate and direct communication, emphasizing the unique prophetic relationship between God and Samuel. This idiomatic expression also serves as a form of **Emphasis**, drawing attention to the certainty and clarity of the divine message, leaving no doubt about its origin or authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 9:15 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth of God's active and sovereign involvement in human affairs. It reveals a God who is not distant or detached, but intimately engaged, orchestrating events and preparing individuals for His purposes long before they come to fruition. This divine foresight and meticulous planning underscore His omniscience and omnipotence, assuring believers that His ultimate plan for history and for individual lives is unfolding according to His perfect will. The verse also highlights the vital role of prophets as God's chosen conduits for revelation, underscoring the importance of listening for and discerning His voice. This pattern of divine pre-revelation and preparation is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His people.

* [Genesis 18:17](/genesis/18-17 "Genesis 18:17 - God Reveals His Plan to Abraham")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals Secrets to His Servants the Prophets")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The intimate revelation God granted Samuel in 1 Samuel 9:15 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers today. Just as God meticulously prepared Samuel for Saul's arrival, He continues to work behind the scenes in our lives, orchestrating circumstances and preparing us for future callings or challenges. This verse invites us to cultivate a posture of attentiveness, seeking to discern God's voice and direction even in the mundane or seemingly ordinary aspects of our daily lives. It reminds us that our "chance" encounters or unexpected turns might well be divine appointments, part of a larger, sovereign plan. Trusting in God's foresight liberates us from anxiety about the future, knowing that He is already there, preparing the way. Our role, like Samuel's, is to remain spiritually attuned and obedient, ready to act when His will is made clear, understanding that His ultimate purposes are always good and for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's pre-emptive revelation to Samuel challenge or affirm your understanding of divine sovereignty in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be preparing you for future events or responsibilities, even if you are currently engaged in seemingly ordinary tasks?**
* **What disciplines or practices can help you cultivate a more attentive ear to God's voice, as Samuel did?**

### FAQ
**Why did God tell Samuel "in his ear" specifically?**

Answer: The phrase "in his ear" (Hebrew, _bəʾoznô_) is an idiom signifying intimate, direct, and confidential communication. It suggests a clear, unmistakable revelation, not a vague dream or vision that might require interpretation. This highlights the unique and close relationship Samuel had with God as a prophet, where divine secrets were shared personally to ensure Samuel's precise understanding and readiness to execute God's will concerning the anointing of Israel's first king. It emphasizes the certainty and authority of the divine message, leaving no doubt for Samuel.

**What was the significance of God revealing this "a day before Saul came"?**

Answer: The specific timing—"a day before Saul came"—underscores God's precise omniscience and meticulous orchestration of events. It demonstrates that God's plan for Israel's monarchy and Saul's appointment was not a reactive measure but a pre-determined divine initiative. This foreknowledge allowed Samuel to be fully prepared, both mentally and spiritually, for Saul's arrival and the momentous task of anointing him, preventing any surprise or unpreparedness on Samuel's part. It reinforces the theme of God's sovereignty, showing that He controls time and circumstances to fulfill His purposes ([Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 9:15, with its emphasis on God's sovereign foresight and pre-revelation to His prophet, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God prepared Samuel for the arrival of Israel's first king, so too did He meticulously prepare the way for the coming of the true and eternal King, Jesus. The Old Testament prophets, from Moses to Malachi, served as God's voice, revealing aspects of His redemptive plan, much like Samuel received a direct word concerning Saul. However, in Christ, God's ultimate revelation is embodied; as [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son") declares, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Jesus is not merely a prophet who receives a word from God; He *is* the Word made flesh ([John 1:1-14](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the full and final revelation of God's character and redemptive purpose. Furthermore, just as Saul was chosen and anointed for a specific earthly kingdom, Christ was chosen before the foundation of the world ([1 Peter 1:18-20](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-20 - Redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ")) to establish an everlasting spiritual kingdom ([Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man's Everlasting Dominion")). His arrival was not a coincidence but the culmination of millennia of divine preparation, foreshadowed in countless prophecies and types, all pointing to the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Thus, 1 Samuel 9:15 ultimately points to the greater divine orchestration of salvation history, culminating in the pre-ordained coming of Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")).

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

1 Samuel 15:1

¶ Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee [to be] king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.

Acts 13:21

And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

Amos 3:7

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

2 Samuel 7:27

For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.

Job 33:16

Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

Psalms 25:14

The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Mark 14:13

And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.