1 Samuel 9:27

KJV

[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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And as they were going down {H3381} to the end {H7097} of the city {H5892}, Samuel {H8050} said {H559} to Saul {H7586}, Bid {H559} the servant {H5288} pass on {H5674} before {H6440} us,(and he passed on {H5674},) but stand {H5975} thou still a while {H3117}, that I may shew {H8085} thee the word {H1697} of God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As they were going down, at the edge of the city, Sh'mu'el said to Sha'ul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead"; so the servant went on. "But you, stand still now, because I want you to hear what God has said."

Berean Standard Bible

As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us, but you stay for a while, and I will reveal to you the word of God.” So the servant went on.

American Standard Version

As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand thou still first, that I may cause thee to hear the word of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 9:27 marks the climactic moment of Saul's providential journey to meet Samuel, where the prophet, having privately hosted and honored Saul, now prepares to deliver a direct, divine revelation concerning Saul's future. As they depart the city, Samuel instructs Saul to send his servant ahead, creating an intimate and secluded space for the impartation of "the word of God," which will irrevocably alter Saul's destiny and the course of Israel's history by establishing him as the nation's first king.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the narrative of Saul's unexpected encounter with Samuel, which began with Saul's search for his father's lost donkeys in [1 Samuel 9:3-5](/1_samuel/9-3 "1 Samuel 9:3-5 - Saul's Search for Donkeys"). The preceding verses detail Samuel's divine foreknowledge of Saul's arrival ([1 Samuel 9:15-17](/1_samuel/9-15 "1 Samuel 9:15-17 - God Reveals Saul to Samuel")), his welcoming of Saul, and the honor bestowed upon him at a private feast ([1 Samuel 9:19-24](/1_samuel/9-19 "1 Samuel 9:19-24 - Samuel Honors Saul")). The instruction to send the servant ahead and "stand thou still a while" sets the stage for the highly significant private anointing and revelation of Saul's kingship that immediately follows in [1 Samuel 10:1-8](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1-8 - Saul's Anointing and Prophetic Signs"), making this verse a crucial transition from Saul's humble origins to his divine appointment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges, characterized by decentralization and moral decline ("everyone did what was right in his own eyes," [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")), was drawing to a close. Israel had recently demanded a king to be "like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King")), a request that displeased Samuel but was ultimately permitted by God. Prophets like Samuel served as God's primary spokespersons, mediating His will to the people and their leaders. The act of a prophet anointing a king was a powerful public and spiritual legitimization, signifying divine election and empowerment. The instruction for privacy underscores the sacred and weighty nature of this divine communication, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures for significant pronouncements, ensuring the message's purity and authority.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to the book of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Rise of the Monarchy"). Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Election**, demonstrating that Saul's kingship was not a human initiative but God's specific choice and appointment, despite the people's flawed motivations for desiring a king ([1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - God's Response to Israel's Request")). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Authority of Prophetic Revelation**, as Samuel acts as God's direct conduit, delivering "the word of God" that establishes the monarchy. Thirdly, the need for privacy underscores the theme of **Sacred Encounter and Readiness to Hear**, suggesting that profound divine communication often requires a setting free from distraction, where the recipient is poised to receive and obey. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's Surprising Providence**, as Saul's mundane task of finding donkeys leads him directly into God's grand plan for Israel, illustrating how God orchestrates seemingly random events for His ultimate purposes ([Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"shew" (Hebrew, _yashmi'akha'_):** The KJV translates this as "shew," but the Hebrew verb יַשְׁמִיעֲךָ (root שָׁמַע, _shama'_) more accurately means "to cause to hear," "to make one listen," or "to announce." This emphasizes an active, authoritative declaration from Samuel, ensuring Saul not merely sees but *hears* and fully comprehends the divine message. It implies a direct, verbal impartation of God's will, not a mere visual demonstration.
* **"word of God" (Hebrew, _devar Elohim'_):** This phrase is highly significant, referring to a direct, authoritative message or decree from God. It is not Samuel's personal opinion or counsel, but a divine oracle. The term _devar_ (word) often carries the weight of a divine command or revelation, and _Elohim_ (God) signifies the supreme, sovereign deity. This phrase elevates the impending communication to the highest possible level of authority and importance, indicating that what Saul is about to hear is God's own will being revealed for the first time concerning his kingship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[And] as they were going down to the end of the city":** This clause establishes the setting for the crucial encounter. Samuel and Saul are leaving the city of Zuph (or Ramah, depending on interpretation of [1 Samuel 7:17](/1_samuel/7-17 "1 Samuel 7:17 - Samuel's Circuit")), moving away from the populated areas. This physical movement away from the public sphere underscores the transition to a private, sacred moment.
* **"Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,)":** Samuel takes the initiative to create the necessary privacy. The command to send the servant ahead is an intentional act to ensure no witnesses to the impending divine revelation. The parenthetical "and he passed on" confirms Saul's immediate and unquestioning obedience, highlighting his teachable spirit and readiness to comply with the prophet's instruction.
* **"but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.":** This is the pivotal declaration. Samuel commands Saul to halt, to pause from his journey and his previous concerns (the donkeys), and to prepare himself to receive a profound message. The purpose is explicitly stated: "that I may shew thee the word of God." This phrase signifies that Samuel is about to deliver a direct, authoritative revelation from Yahweh, one that will fundamentally change Saul's life and the trajectory of Israel. It sets the stage for the anointing and the subsequent signs that confirm Saul's divine election.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Samuel's solemn declaration, "that I may shew thee the word of God," strongly hints at the momentous revelation to come, building anticipation for the anointing of Israel's first king. The **setting** of "going down to the end of the city" and the deliberate act of sending the servant ahead create a sense of **seclusion** and **intimacy**, emphasizing the sacred and personal nature of the divine encounter. This intentional creation of a private space can also be seen as a form of **symbolism**, where the physical separation from the world represents the spiritual separation required for receiving God's direct communication. The **contrast** between Saul's mundane task (finding donkeys) and the extraordinary divine purpose awaiting him highlights God's surprising and sovereign intervention in human affairs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 9:27 serves as a powerful testament to God's active involvement in human history and His chosen method of revealing His will through His appointed messengers. It underscores the principle that divine calling often comes unexpectedly, interrupting the mundane to usher in the miraculous. God, in His sovereignty, initiates the process of establishing leadership, not merely responding to human demands but shaping them for His ultimate purposes. The emphasis on receiving "the word of God" highlights the foundational importance of divine revelation as the basis for legitimate authority and guidance, a theme echoed throughout Scripture where God's word is the source of truth, life, and direction for His people.

* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals Secrets to Prophets")
* [Jeremiah 1:4-5](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4-5 - Jeremiah's Prophetic Call")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Revelation Through Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 9:27 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. Just as Samuel instructed Saul to "stand thou still a while" to receive God's word, we too are called to cultivate moments of intentional stillness and solitude in our noisy, distracted lives. This verse reminds us that discerning God's will and hearing His voice often requires us to quiet the clamor of our daily routines and create space for intimate communion with Him, whether through prayer, meditation on Scripture, or seeking godly counsel. It encourages us to approach God's word with an attitude of readiness and obedience, understanding that His revelations, though sometimes surprising or demanding, are always for our ultimate good and His glory. Are we willing to step away from our immediate concerns and "stand still" to truly listen when God desires to speak into our lives?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What distractions or "servants" do I need to "bid pass on" in my life to create space for hearing God's word?**
* **How often do I intentionally "stand still a while" to seek God's specific direction for my life, rather than rushing through my days?**
* **In what ways might God be preparing me for a purpose far beyond my current understanding or expectations, just as He did for Saul?**
* **What is my posture of readiness and obedience when I sense God is speaking to me through Scripture, prayer, or godly counsel?**

### FAQ
**Why was it necessary for Samuel and Saul to be alone for this revelation?**

Answer: The privacy was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it underscored the sacred and intimate nature of the divine revelation. The anointing of a king was a profound spiritual act, signifying God's personal choice and empowerment, which often occurred in a secluded setting to emphasize its divine origin and prevent misinterpretation or premature public reaction. Secondly, it allowed for a focused, uninterrupted impartation of "the word of God" to Saul, ensuring he fully grasped the weight and implications of his divine calling without the distractions or opinions of others. This private moment also served to establish Samuel's authority as God's prophet to Saul, setting the stage for their future relationship and Saul's obedience to divine commands, as seen in [1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Samuel Anoints Saul").

**What does "shew thee the word of God" imply about the nature of God's communication?**

Answer: The phrase "shew thee the word of God" (Hebrew: _yashmi'akha et-devar Elohim_, "make you hear the word of God") implies a direct, authoritative, and revelatory communication from God Himself, delivered through His prophet Samuel. It's not merely advice, counsel, or a prophetic vision, but a divine decree that carries the full weight of God's will. This "word" is foundational and transformative, as it will establish Saul as king and set the course for Israel's monarchy. It highlights that God's communication is purposeful, clear, and demands a response, often initiating significant shifts in individuals' lives and historical trajectories, as seen throughout the biblical narrative where God speaks and things come into being or are radically altered ([Genesis 1:3](/genesis/1-3 "Genesis 1:3 - God Speaks and Light Appears"), [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes His Purpose")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 9:27, though set in the context of Israel's first earthly king, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate King, Jesus Christ. Just as Samuel prepared Saul to receive "the word of God" concerning his kingship, so too did John the Baptist prepare the way for Jesus, the true King, by proclaiming His coming and calling people to repent and "stand still" to hear the divine word embodied in Him ([Matthew 3:1-3](/matthew/3-1 "Matthew 3:1-3 - John the Baptist Prepares the Way")). Jesus himself is the living "Word of God" made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the ultimate and complete revelation of God's will and character. Unlike Saul, whose kingship was temporal and ultimately flawed, Jesus's reign is eternal and perfect, established not by human anointing but by divine decree and His sacrificial work on the cross ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - God Anoints the Son"), [Revelation 19:13](/revelation/19-13 "Revelation 19:13 - Jesus, the Word of God")). The call for Saul to "stand still a while" to receive God's word finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant's invitation to all believers to draw near to Christ, the source of all truth and the embodiment of God's saving message, through whom we truly hear and receive the very word of God that brings eternal life and establishes us in His eternal kingdom ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing Jesus' Word Brings Life"), [Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness to Kingdom")).

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

John 15:14

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

John 15:15

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

2 Kings 9:5

And when he came, behold, the captains of the host [were] sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of all us? And he said, To thee, O captain.

2 Kings 9:6

And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, [even] over Israel.

1 Samuel 20:38

And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

1 Samuel 20:39

But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

1 Samuel 15:16

Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.