1 Samuel 9:25

KJV

And when they were come down from the high place into the city, [Samuel] communed with Saul upon the top of the house.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when they were come down {H3381} from the high place {H1116} into the city {H5892}, Samuel communed {H1696} with Saul {H7586} upon the top of the house {H1406}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On coming down from the high place to the city, he spoke with Sha'ul on the roof.

Berean Standard Bible

And after they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof of his house.

American Standard Version

And when they were come down from the high place into the city, he communed with Saul upon the housetop.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 9:25 marks a pivotal transition in the narrative of Israel's first king, Saul. Following a special feast at a local sanctuary, the prophet Samuel brings Saul back to his home city, Ramah, and engages him in a deeply significant private conversation on the flat rooftop of his house. This intimate "communion" serves as a crucial prelude, preparing Saul for the momentous divine revelation and public anointing that will establish him as the chosen leader of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Samuel's extraordinary hospitality towards Saul at the "high place," where Saul was given the place of honor and a special portion of the sacrificial meal, all orchestrated by divine instruction given to Samuel the day before ([1 Samuel 9:15-24](/1_samuel/9-15 "God's Prior Revelation to Samuel and Saul's Honored Place")). The narrative has deliberately built suspense around Saul's unwitting arrival and Samuel's foreknowledge of God's plan. Verse 25 serves as the crucial bridge between the public, ceremonial meal and the private, revelatory conversation that directly precedes Saul's anointing as king the following morning ([1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "Samuel Anoints Saul as King")). It signals a shift from outward demonstration of honor to inward impartation of divine purpose.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "high place" (`bamah` in Hebrew) refers to a local cultic site, often on an elevated position, used for sacrifices and communal feasts. In this period before the centralized Temple worship in Jerusalem, such sites were legitimate and common places for worship and interaction with God, as seen in Samuel's own practice. The "city" is Ramah, Samuel's hometown. The "top of the house" refers to the flat rooftops characteristic of ancient Near Eastern homes. These rooftops served multiple purposes: for sleeping in hot weather, drying produce, and crucially, as private, elevated, and quiet spaces for reflection, prayer, and important discussions, away from the bustling activity of the street or courtyard. This setting underscores the weighty and confidential nature of the impending conversation between Samuel and Saul.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 1 Samuel and the broader Old Testament narrative. It highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Appointment**, demonstrating that God, not human choice, initiates and directs the selection of leaders, even when Israel has demanded a king "like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "Israel Demands a King Like Other Nations")). The private nature of the conversation emphasizes **Preparation for Service**, indicating that significant public ministry is often preceded by periods of personal instruction, revelation, and spiritual formation. It also underscores the theme of **Revelation**, particularly how God communicates His will through His chosen prophets, often in intimate settings, before its public manifestation. Finally, it sets the stage for the **Transition from Theocracy to Monarchy**, marking the moment just before the formal establishment of the kingship in Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Communed (Hebrew, _dabar'_):** The Hebrew verb דָּבַר (`dabar`) means "to speak, to declare, to converse." While it can denote ordinary conversation, in this context, especially given Samuel's prophetic role and God's prior revelation, it carries a much weightier implication. It suggests a significant, purposeful, and authoritative declaration, likely involving the impartation of divine will and instruction concerning Saul's future as king. It is a dialogue of profound consequence, not casual chat.
* **High place (Hebrew, _bamah'_):** The Hebrew word בָּמָה (`bamah`) refers to an elevated place, often a local sanctuary or altar used for worship and sacrifice. In the period of the Judges and early Monarchy, these were legitimate cultic sites where people came to offer sacrifices and seek God, as opposed to later periods when they became associated with illicit worship in contrast to the Jerusalem Temple. Here, it signifies a place of communal religious activity.
* **Top of the house (Hebrew, _gag habbayit'_):** This phrase, גַּג הַבַּיִת (`gag habbayit`), refers to the flat rooftop common in ancient Israelite architecture. Such rooftops were private, elevated, and often cooler spaces, ideal for quiet contemplation, prayer, or, as here, confidential and significant discussions. Its selection for this "communion" underscores the private and crucial nature of the impending revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they were come down from the high place into the city":** This clause describes the physical movement of Samuel and Saul from the site of the public feast and worship to the more private, residential area of Ramah. This descent signifies a transition from a communal, ceremonial setting to a personal, intimate one, setting the stage for a different kind of interaction.
* **"[Samuel] communed with Saul":** This is the core action of the verse. The verb "communed" (as analyzed above) indicates a deep, significant conversation, far beyond mere pleasantries. It implies Samuel was imparting crucial, perhaps even revelatory, information to Saul, preparing him for the divine mandate that was about to be revealed.
* **"upon the top of the house":** This specifies the location of their conversation. The rooftop, being a secluded and elevated space, emphasizes the privacy, solemnity, and importance of the discussion. It was a place where Samuel could speak freely and where Saul could receive the weighty words without interruption or public scrutiny.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Setting** as a key literary device. The shift from the public, communal "high place" to the private, secluded "top of the house" is highly symbolic. It underscores the transition from Saul's public honor and feasting to the intimate, personal revelation of his divine calling. This change in setting also creates an atmosphere of **Anticipation**, as the reader knows Samuel possesses vital information about Saul's destiny, which is about to be unveiled in this private encounter. There is also an element of **Irony**, as Saul, who came seeking lost donkeys, is unknowingly being led to the highest office in the land, a stark contrast between his mundane objective and God's grand purpose. The narrative uses **Foreshadowing**, as this private "communion" directly precedes and sets the stage for the momentous public anointing of Saul as king.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This private rooftop conversation between Samuel and Saul highlights God's meticulous and often personal method of preparing those He calls for significant service. It underscores that divine appointment is not merely a public declaration but often involves intimate, revelatory instruction and spiritual preparation. Before Saul could assume the public mantle of kingship, he needed to understand the divine origin and nature of his calling from God's chosen prophet. This emphasizes the importance of private counsel and mentorship in discerning and embracing God's will, ensuring that leadership flows from divine revelation rather than human ambition or popular demand.

* [1 Samuel 9:15-17](/1_samuel/9-15 "God's Revelation to Samuel about Saul")
* [1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "Samuel Anoints Saul as King")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "The Lord Reveals His Secret to His Servants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The intimate "communion" between Samuel and Saul on the rooftop offers profound lessons for our own lives and callings. Just as God prepared Saul privately before his public anointing, He often provides seasons of personal instruction, reflection, and spiritual mentorship before entrusting us with significant responsibilities or revealing new directions. This reminds us of the invaluable role of wise counselors and spiritual mentors in our lives, whose guidance can help us discern God's voice and prepare us for His purposes. It also encourages us to cultivate humility and openness, recognizing that God's plans for us may unfold in unexpected ways and often begin in quiet, private moments of revelation, rather than grand public spectacles. Our willingness to listen and receive instruction in these intimate settings is crucial for our readiness to step into the public spheres God calls us to.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God typically prepare individuals for new roles or responsibilities in your experience or in biblical narratives?**
* **What is the value of seeking and receiving private counsel or mentorship in discerning God's will for your life?**
* **In what "private" spaces (physical or spiritual) might God be seeking to "commune" with you about your calling or next steps?**

### FAQ
**Why did Samuel choose the rooftop for this conversation instead of the high place or inside his house?**

Answer: Samuel likely chose the rooftop for its privacy and seclusion. Flat rooftops in ancient Israel were elevated, open-air spaces, offering a quiet environment away from the usual household bustle or public gaze. This setting would have allowed for a confidential and deeply significant conversation, free from interruption or eavesdropping, ensuring that the weighty divine revelation Samuel was about to impart to Saul could be received without distraction. It also provided a sense of solemnity and importance fitting for such a momentous discussion.

**What was the nature of the "communion" between Samuel and Saul? Was it just a friendly chat?**

Answer: No, the "communion" was far more than a friendly chat. The Hebrew word `dabar` (דָּבַר) implies a weighty, purposeful declaration. Given Samuel's role as God's prophet and God's prior revelation to Samuel about Saul's kingship ([1 Samuel 9:15-17](/1_samuel/9-15 "God's Revelation to Samuel")), this conversation was undoubtedly where Samuel began to explain God's plan for Saul's life and the future of Israel. It was a foundational moment of divine instruction and preparation for Saul's impending anointing as king.

**Was the "high place" where they had been a legitimate place of worship in Samuel's time?**

Answer: Yes, in the period of the Judges and early Monarchy, "high places" (`bamah`) were legitimate and common sites for worship, sacrifice, and communal religious feasts throughout Israel. Before the construction of the centralized Temple in Jerusalem, these local sanctuaries served as important centers for the worship of Yahweh. Samuel himself, as a prophet and judge, participated in and officiated at such sites. It was only later, with the establishment of the Temple as the singular place of worship, that high places became associated with idolatry or illicit worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The private "communion" between Samuel and Saul on the rooftop, preparing Saul for his public anointing as king, beautifully foreshadows the preparation and ultimate kingship of Jesus Christ. While Saul was chosen and prepared for an earthly throne, Jesus, the true and eternal King, also underwent a period of divine preparation before His public ministry. His forty days in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness")) were a time of intense spiritual battle and communion with the Father, equipping Him for His mission. Furthermore, Jesus often withdrew to private places—mountains, gardens, or quiet rooms—to "commune" with His Father in prayer ([Mark 1:35](/mark/1-35 "Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place")) and to impart crucial, foundational truths to His disciples before sending them out for public ministry ([Mark 3:13-19](/mark/3-13 "Jesus Appoints the Twelve Apostles")). Unlike Saul, who would eventually fail in his kingship, Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), perfectly fulfilled His divine calling, learning obedience through what He suffered ([Hebrews 5:8-9](/hebrews/5-8 "Jesus Learned Obedience")) and establishing an eternal spiritual kingdom not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")). He is the ultimate King, prepared by God, whose reign brings true salvation and eternal life.

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

Deuteronomy 22:8

When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.

Acts 10:9

¶ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

2 Samuel 11:2

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman [was] very beautiful to look upon.

Nehemiah 8:16

So the people went forth, and brought [them], and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

Matthew 10:27

What I tell you in darkness, [that] speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, [that] preach ye upon the housetops.

Jeremiah 19:13

And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.