1 Samuel 9:4

And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found [them] not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and [there they were] not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found [them] not.

And he passed through {H5674} mount {H2022} Ephraim {H669}, and passed through {H5674} the land {H776} of Shalisha {H8031}, but they found {H4672} them not: then they passed through {H5674} the land {H776} of Shalim {H8171}, and there they were not: and he passed through {H5674} the land {H776} of the Benjamites {H1145}, but they found {H4672} them not.

He went through the hills of Efrayim and the territory of Shalishah, but they didn't find them. Then they went through the territory of Sha'alim, but they weren't there. They went through the territory of Binyamin but didn't find them there either.

So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them.

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.

Commentary

1 Samuel 9:4 describes the extensive search undertaken by Saul and his servant for his father Kish's lost donkeys. This seemingly mundane task sets the stage for one of the most significant events in Israelite history: the anointing of its first king.

Context

The narrative in 1 Samuel 9 begins with Kish, a prominent Benjamite, sending his son Saul, a tall and handsome young man, to find his straying donkeys. This verse details the wide geographical area they covered in their diligent search. They traversed significant regions, including the hilly terrain of Mount Ephraim, which was a central and populous area, and then pressed on through less precisely identified areas like the land of Shalisha and the land of Shalim, before returning towards their home territory, the land of the Benjamites. Despite their perseverance, the animals remained unfound, leading to Saul's growing concern for his father (1 Samuel 9:5). This arduous journey, though seemingly fruitless in its immediate objective, was providentially guiding Saul to his divine appointment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence: This verse subtly highlights God's sovereign hand at work. The search for lost donkeys was not merely a chore; it was the divinely orchestrated path leading Saul to meet the prophet Samuel. This humble errand served as the unlikely prelude to his call to kingship, demonstrating how God often uses ordinary circumstances to achieve extraordinary purposes.
  • Diligence and Obedience: Saul's commitment to his father's instruction is evident in the vast distances he and his servant traveled. His faithfulness in this small, seemingly insignificant task foreshadows his future leadership, emphasizing the biblical principle that faithfulness in little things can lead to greater responsibilities.
  • The Unseen Hand of God: While Saul was focused on finding donkeys, God was preparing him to find a kingdom. This journey, marked by frustration and unfruitful searching, was precisely what God intended to bring Saul to the right place at the right time to encounter Samuel, who had been forewarned by the Lord about Saul's arrival.

Linguistic Insights

The place names mentioned – Mount Ephraim, Shalisha, and Shalim – indicate a wide circuit through the central highlands of Israel. While their exact boundaries are debated by scholars, they collectively underscore the extensive and perhaps desperate nature of Saul's search. The repetition of "but they found [them] not" emphasizes the futility of their efforts from a human perspective, setting up the divine intervention that is about to occur.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God's plans often unfold in unexpected ways, even through our everyday tasks and challenges. We may be searching for one thing, while God is guiding us toward something far greater. It encourages us to be diligent and faithful in our current responsibilities, trusting that God can use every situation, even apparent setbacks or mundane duties, to lead us to His intended purpose. Our obedience in the small things can pave the way for God's significant work in our lives, much like Saul's journey for donkeys led him to become the first King of Israel.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 4:42 (5 votes)

    And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.

  • Joshua 24:33 (3 votes)

    And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill [that pertained to] Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.

  • Genesis 33:18 (2 votes)

    And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which [is] in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.

  • Judges 17:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name [was] Micah.

  • John 3:23 (2 votes)

    And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

  • Judges 19:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass in those days, when [there was] no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.