TRV
Translation
King James Version
And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
KJV (with Strong's)
And they arose early H7925: and it came to pass about the spring H5927 of the day H7837, that Samuel H8050 called H7121 Saul H7586 to the top of the house H1406, saying H559, Up H6965, that I may send thee away H7971. And Saul H7586 arose H6965, and they went out H3318 both H8147 of them, he and Samuel H8050, abroad H2351.
Complete Jewish Bible
They got up early. About daybreak, Sh'mu'el called out to Sha'ul on the roof, "Get up, so I can send you on your way." Sha'ul got up, and both of them -he and Sh'mu'el - went out.
Berean Standard Bible
They got up early in the morning, and just before dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get ready, and I will send you on your way!” So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went outside together.
American Standard Version
And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
World English Bible Messianic
They arose early: and about daybreak, Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, “Get up, that I may send you away.” Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when they arose early about ye spring of the day, Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Vp, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out, both he, and Samuel.
Young's Literal Translation
And they rise early, and it cometh to pass, at the ascending of the dawn, that Samuel calleth unto Saul, on the roof, saying, `Rise, and I send thee away;' and Saul riseth, and they go out, both of them--he and Samuel, without.
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Samuel 9 verses 18–27
18 ¶ Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.
19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.
20 And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house?
21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.
23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
24 And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
25 And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.
26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.
Providence having at length brought Samuel and Saul together, we have here an account of what passed between them in the gate, at the feast, and in private.
I. In the gate of the city; passing through that, Saul found him (Sa1 9:18), and, little thinking that he was Samuel himself, asked him the way to Samuel's house: Tell me where the seer's house is; for there he expected to find him. See how mean a figure Samuel made, though so great a man: he took not any state, had no attendants, no ensigns of honour carried before him, nor any distinguishing habit, no, not when he went to church, but appeared, in all respects, so much a common person that Saul, though he was told he should meet him, never suspected that it was he, but, as if he looked more like a porter than a prophet, asked him the way to the seer's house. Thus is great worth oftentimes hidden under a very despicable appearance. Samuel knew that it was not the house, but the man, that he wanted, and therefore answered him, "I am the seer, the person you enquire for," Sa1 9:19. Samuel knew him before he knew Samuel; thus, though all that are called to the kingdom of glory are brought to know God, yet first they were known of him, Gal 4:9. Now, 1. Samuel obliges him to stay with him till the next day. The greatest part of this day had been spent in sacrificing, and the rest of it was to be spent in holy feasting, and therefore, "Tomorrow I will let thee go, and not sooner; now go up before me to the high place; let us pray together, and then we will talk together." Saul had nothing in his mind but to find his asses, but Samuel would take him off from that care, and dispose him to the exercises of piety; and therefore bids him go to the high place, and go before him, because, it may be, some business obliged Samuel to call by the way. 2. He satisfies him about his asses (Sa1 9:20): Set not thy mind on them, be not in further care about them; they are found. By this Saul might perceive that he was a prophet, that he could give him an answer to the enquiry which he had not yet made, and tell him what he thought; and thence he might infer, if a man of God can do this, much more doth God himself understand our thoughts afar off. 3. He surprises him with an intimation of preferment before him: "On whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not a king that they are set upon, and there is never a man in Israel that will suit them as thou wilt." It does not appear that the country had as yet any eye upon him for the government, because they had left it wholly to God to choose for them; but such a one as he they wished for, and his advancement would be the advancement of his family and relations, as Abner, and others. 4. To this strange intimation Saul returns a very modest answer, Sa1 9:21. Samuel, he thought, did but banter him, because he was a tall man, but a very unlikely man to be a king; for, though the historian says (Sa1 9:1) his father was a mighty man of power, yet he himself speaks diminishingly of his tribe and family. "Benjamin, the youngest of Jacob's sons, when grown up to be a man, was called a little one (Gen 44:20); that tribe was diminished by the war of Gibeah; and I am a Benjamite, my family the least," probably a younger house, not in any place of honour or trust, no, not in their own tribe. Gideon had expressed himself thus, Jdg 6:15. A humble disposition is a good presage of preferment.
II. At the public feast; thither Samuel took him and his servant. Though the advancement of Saul would be the deposing of Samuel, yet that good prophet was so far from envying him, or bearing him any ill-will for it, that he was the first and forwardest man to do him honour, in compliance with the will of God. If this be the man whom God has chosen, though he be none of Samuel's particular friends or confidants, yet he is heartily welcome to his table, nay, to his bosom. We may suppose it was no unseasonable kindness to Saul to give him a meal's meat, for it seems, by what he said (Sa1 9:7), that all their meat and money were spent. But this was not all. Samuel treats him not as a common person, but a person of quality and distinction, to prepare both him and the people for what was to follow. Two marks of honour he put upon him: - 1. He set him in the best place, as more honourable than any other of the guests, to whom he said, Give this man place, Luk 14:9. Though we may suppose the magistrates were there, who in their own city would claim precedency, yet the master of the feast made Saul and his servant too (who, if Saul was a king, must be respected as his prime minister of state) sit in the chief place, Sa1 9:22. Note, Civil respects must be paid to those who in civil things have the precedency given them by the divine providence. 2. He presented him with the best dish, which, having had notice from heaven the day before of his coming (Sa1 9:16), he had designed for him, and ordered the cook to secure for him, when he gave orders for inviting the guests and making preparation for them. And what should this precious dish be, which was so very carefully reserved for the king-elect? One would expect it should be something very nice and delicate. No, it was a plain shoulder of mutton (Sa1 9:23, Sa1 9:24). The right shoulder of the peace-offerings was to be given to the priests, who were God's receivers (Lev 7:32); the next in honour to that was the left shoulder, which probably was always allotted to those that sat at the upper end of the table, and was wont to be Samuel's mess at other times; so that his giving it to Saul now was an implicit resignation of his place to him. Some observe a significancy in this dish. The shoulder denotes strength, and the breast, which some think went with it, denotes affection: he that was king had the government upon his shoulder, for he must bear the weight of it; and the people in his bosom, for they must be dear to him.
III. What passed between them in private. Both that evening and early the next morning Samuel communed with Saul upon the flat roof of the house, Sa1 9:25, Sa1 9:26. We may suppose Samuel now told him the whole story of the people's desire of a king, the grounds of their desire, and God's grant of it, to all which Saul, living very privately, was perhaps a stranger; he satisfied him that he was the person God had pitched upon for the government; and whereas Saul would object that Samuel was in possession, and he would not for all the world take it out of his hands, Samuel, we may suppose, gave him all the assurance he could desire of his willingness to resign. Early in the morning he sent him towards home, brought him part of the way, bade him send his servant before, that they might be private (Sa1 9:27), and there, as we find in the beginning of the next chapter, he anointed him, and therein showed him the word of the Lord, that is, gave him full satisfaction that he was the person chosen to be king, for he would not jest with that sacred rite. It is by the unction of the Holy Ghost that Christ, the great prophet, shows us the word of the Lord. Jo1 2:27, the same anointing teacheth you of all things.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 18–27. Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on Samuel
And Saul arose, and they went out together, etc. And Jesus manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. Both of them went out, namely He and John, from the hidden contemplation of the divine will, and proceeded to show forth the great works of deeds outside.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 9:26 captures a pivotal moment at dawn, immediately following Saul's private anointing by Samuel as the future king of Israel. This intimate scene, set on a secluded rooftop, underscores the divine orchestration and solemn preparation Saul receives before embarking on his public role, emphasizing the profound significance of his call to lead God's people. It marks the transition from a hidden, revelatory encounter to the public unfolding of God's plan for Israel's monarchy.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs Setting and Symbolism to enhance its meaning and foreshadow future events. The Setting of "the spring of the day" (dawn) is not merely a temporal marker but a symbolic one, representing a new beginning and a divinely initiated transition for Saul. Dawn often symbolizes revelation, hope, and the breaking forth of God's light and purpose after a period of darkness or uncertainty. The "top of the house" as a Setting provides a secluded, elevated space, symbolizing the sacred and private nature of the divine communication and the weighty instructions being imparted. This elevated position can also subtly hint at the elevated status Saul is about to assume as king. Furthermore, Samuel's act of "sending Saul away" carries a sense of Foreshadowing, hinting at the broader narrative of Saul's eventual departure from God's favor and the kingdom, though at this point, it primarily signifies his physical departure from Samuel's immediate presence and the commencement of his public journey.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage powerfully illustrates the principle of divine sovereignty and the meticulous way God prepares His chosen instruments for their appointed tasks. Saul's anointing and subsequent private instruction by Samuel underline that true leadership, especially in God's kingdom, is not self-appointed but divinely ordained and often preceded by a period of quiet, personal revelation and guidance. The transition from private instruction to public responsibility is a recurring pattern in biblical narratives, emphasizing the necessity of spiritual grounding before outward service. It speaks to the truth that God often works in unseen ways before manifesting His plans publicly, and that obedience to His call, even in seemingly small steps like rising early, is paramount. This moment encapsulates God's faithfulness in raising up leaders for His people, even when those chosen individuals are initially unaware of their destiny.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 9:26 offers profound insights into the nature of divine calling and preparation, providing a timeless model for believers today. It reminds us that God often calls us to significant tasks, but He rarely throws us into them without prior, often private, instruction and equipping. Just as Saul received final, crucial words from Samuel in a secluded setting, we too are called to seek quiet moments with God for guidance, wisdom, and spiritual grounding before stepping into our callings, whether in ministry, family, or professional life. This verse challenges us to value these unseen moments of preparation and to cultivate a readiness and promptness to respond to God's direction, recognizing that divine opportunities often require immediate and diligent attention. Our willingness to "arise early" in obedience, even when the path ahead is not yet fully clear, is a testament to our trust in God's sovereign hand in directing our steps and our commitment to His purposes. It encourages us to embrace the quiet times of spiritual formation as essential for effective public service.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Samuel call Saul to the "top of the house" specifically?
Answer: Samuel called Saul to the "top of the house" (the flat rooftop common in ancient Israelite homes) for several reasons, primarily for privacy and solemnity. These rooftops were elevated and secluded, providing a space away from the general household or public view. This allowed Samuel to impart crucial, perhaps sensitive, final instructions to Saul regarding his anointing and impending kingship without interruption or eavesdropping. It underscored the weighty and confidential nature of the divine revelation being shared, ensuring that this sacred moment was unhindered.
What is the significance of the "spring of the day" or dawn in this context?
Answer: The "spring of the day" (dawn) is significant for both practical and symbolic reasons. Practically, it was a common and efficient time for travel and the beginning of daily activities in the ancient Near East, indicating Saul's imminent departure from Samuel's home. Symbolically, dawn often represents new beginnings, revelation, and the breaking forth of light after darkness. For Saul, it marked the dawn of his new life as God's chosen king, transitioning from an ordinary man searching for donkeys to the anointed leader of Israel. It emphasizes the fresh start and divine appointment that this pivotal moment represents in God's unfolding plan for His people.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The anointing and preparation of Saul in 1 Samuel 9:26 profoundly foreshadows the ultimate King and Prophet, Jesus Christ, in several significant ways. While Saul's kingship was earthly, temporary, and ultimately flawed, his divine appointment by a prophet, followed by a period of private preparation before public manifestation, points to the perfect and eternal reign of Christ. Jesus, the true Son of David, was not merely anointed with oil but with the Holy Spirit for His kingly, prophetic, and priestly office, as powerfully declared at His baptism when the Spirit descended upon Him like a dove (Matthew 3:16-17). His public ministry, too, began with a period of intense private preparation and testing in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) before His public unveiling and the commencement of His kingdom work. Unlike Saul, whose kingship was temporal and whose obedience wavered, Christ perfectly fulfilled His divine commission, establishing an everlasting kingdom founded on righteousness and grace. The "spring of the day" for Saul was a new beginning for Israel's monarchy, but for all humanity, the true "spring of the day" dawned with the resurrection of Jesus, ushering in the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and the eternal reign of the King of kings and Lord of lords, who truly "sends away" the power of sin and death for all who believe (Colossians 2:15).