1 Samuel9

Saul, a tall Benjamite, is sent by his father Kish to find lost asses. After an unsuccessful search, his servant suggests consulting a "man of God" in a nearby city. Unbeknownst to Saul, the prophet Samuel has been divinely informed that Saul is the man appointed to lead Israel. Samuel meets Saul, assures him the asses are found, and honors him, preparing to reveal God's word.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Introduction of Saul

1
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. ​
2
And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a young man and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. ​

The Search for Kish's Asses

3
And the asses of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses. ​
4
And he passed through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.
5
When they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return, lest my father leave off caring for the asses, and be anxious for us.

Saul and His Servant Seek the Seer

6
And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man that is held in honor; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go. ​
7
Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?
8
And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. ​
9
(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, Come, and let us go to the seer; for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) ​
10
Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.
11
As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?
12
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. ​
13
As soon as ye are come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he goeth up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that are bidden. Now therefore get you up; for at this time ye shall find him.
14
And they went up to the city; and as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place.

The Lord Reveals Saul's Coming to Samuel

15
Now Jehovah had revealed unto Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, ​
16
To-morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he shall save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. ​
17
And when Samuel saw Saul, Jehovah said unto him, Behold, the man of whom I spake to thee! this same shall have authority over my people.

Saul Meets Samuel

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 in the morning I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thy heart.
20
And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for thee, and for 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 to me after this manner? ​
22
And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest-chamber, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, who 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 thigh, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold, that which hath been reserved! set it before thee and eat; because unto the appointed time hath it been kept for thee, for I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. ​

Private Instruction and Departure

25
And when they were come down from the high place into the city, he communed with Saul upon the housetop. ​
26
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.
27
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. ​

Study Notes for 1 Samuel 9

Verse 1

Kish is described as a 'mighty man of power,' indicating Saul came from a family of wealth and status within the tribe of Benjamin.

Verse 2

Saul's impressive height and good looks are emphasized. This fulfills the people's desire for a king who would physically stand out, contrasting later with God's selection criteria (1 Sam 16:7).

Verse 3

The entire subsequent narrative hinges on this mundane event. This illustrates the principle of divine providence, where God uses ordinary circumstances to orchestrate monumental historical changes.

Verse 6

The servant suggests seeking a 'man of God' (a prophet) for practical information. This shows that prophets were consulted for everyday matters, demonstrating their role as divinely connected sources of wisdom.

Verse 8

The 'fourth part of a shekel' (about a quarter of an ounce of silver) was a small, typical fee for consulting a prophet for advice or a minor oracle.

Verse 9

This parenthetical note explains the shift in terminology. The older term 'seer' (*ro'eh*), emphasizing divine sight, was gradually replaced by 'prophet' (*navi*), emphasizing divine speech.

Verse 12

The 'high place' was a local sanctuary used for sacrifices and communal meals, permissible before worship was centralized in Jerusalem (Deut 12:13-14). Samuel was presiding over this religious function.

Verse 15

This verse is pivotal, revealing that the entire encounter was orchestrated by God. Saul's search for lost animals was divinely directed toward his destiny.

Verse 16

The term 'captain' (*nagid*) signifies a divinely appointed leader or prince, often with military implications, rather than the dynastic term 'king' (*melek*). Saul is chosen specifically to deliver Israel from the Philistines.

Verse 18

Saul approaches Samuel unaware of his identity or purpose, asking for directions to the seer's house, setting up Samuel’s dramatic revelation.

Verse 20

Samuel immediately provides the information Saul sought (the asses are found) and then delivers a cryptic prophetic message, redirecting Saul's attention from his personal loss to the destiny of Israel.

Verse 21

Saul responds with genuine humility or disbelief, referencing the small size of his tribe (Benjamin, which was nearly destroyed in Judges 20-21) and the low status of his family.

Verse 24

The shoulder was typically the portion of honor reserved for the most distinguished guest or the priest. By setting it aside for Saul, Samuel publicly designates him as the guest of honor, foreshadowing his kingship.

Verse 25

Communing 'upon the top of the house' provided privacy, allowing Samuel to impart the crucial divine message and prepare Saul for the anointing away from the public eye.

Verse 27

This command sets the stage for the secret anointing (10:1). Samuel separates Saul from his servant to 'shew thee the word of God,' emphasizing that the kingship is a divine commission, not a political maneuver.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options