1 Samuel 9:5

[And] 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 [caring] for the asses, and take thought for us.

And when they were come {H935} to the land {H776} of Zuph {H6689}, Saul {H7586} said {H559} to his servant {H5288} that was with him, Come {H3212}, and let us return {H7725}; lest my father {H1} leave {H2308} caring for the asses {H860}, and take thought {H1672} for us.

On reaching the territory of Tzuf, Sha'ul said to his servant with him, "Come, let's go back; otherwise my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us."

When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Come, let us go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”

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.

Commentary

1 Samuel 9:5 finds Saul, accompanied by his servant, on a seemingly ordinary mission to retrieve his father's lost donkeys. After an unsuccessful search, Saul expresses concern for his father, Kish, suggesting they return home before Kish's worry shifts from the animals to their prolonged absence.

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Saul's ascent to kingship. He has been diligently searching for his father's stray donkeys, a task that reveals his initial humility and filial duty. The journey has taken them through various regions (as described in 1 Samuel 9:4), and by this point, they have reached the "land of Zuph." This specific location is significant because it is where the prophet Samuel resides, though Saul is unaware of this divine appointment. Saul's suggestion to return home stems from a genuine concern that his aging father might cease worrying about the lost livestock and begin to fret over the safety and whereabouts of his son and servant. This highlights Saul's sense of responsibility and care for his family.

Key Themes

  • Filial Piety and Responsibility: Saul's primary concern here is not his personal discomfort or the futility of the search, but the potential anxiety of his father, Kish. This demonstrates an admirable trait of respect and care for his family, placing his father's emotional well-being above the task at hand.
  • Divine Providence in Ordinary Events: The entire donkey search, which appears to be a mundane and even frustrating task, is in fact God's orchestrated plan to bring Saul to Samuel. This verse underscores how God often uses everyday circumstances and our faithful obedience in small matters to lead us toward our greater purpose. It's a powerful illustration of Proverbs 16:9, where a man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
  • Transition and Unawareness: Saul is at a critical juncture, unknowingly on the brink of a life-altering encounter. His concern for his father prevents him from immediately returning, setting the stage for his meeting with Samuel and his anointing as Israel's first king, as detailed shortly after in 1 Samuel 10:1.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "take thought for us" (יֶחְדַּל מִדְּבַר הָאֲתֹנוֹת וְדָאַג לָנוּ - yeḥdal middəḇar hā’ăṯōnōṯ wəḏā’aḡ lānū) conveys a sense of ceasing to care about one thing and beginning to worry or be anxious about another. Saul fears his father's concern will shift from the material loss of the asses to the personal well-being of his son and the servant. The "land of Zuph" (אֶרֶץ צוּף - ’ereṣ ṣūp̄) is a specific geographical reference, identifying the territory where Samuel's city (Ramah or Ramathaim-zophim) was located, making it the divinely appointed meeting place.

Practical Application

This verse encourages us to recognize God's hand even in the most mundane or frustrating aspects of our lives. What seems like an ordinary task or a fruitless search might be part of a larger, divine design leading us to our true calling or a significant encounter. It reminds us to remain faithful and responsible in our present duties, trusting that God can use our everyday obedience to accomplish His sovereign purposes. Saul's initial humility and concern for others, even in a small matter, paved the way for his unexpected elevation. This serves as a reminder that character, even in simple acts of care, is often a precursor to greater responsibilities.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 10:2 (5 votes)

    When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

  • 1 Samuel 1:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name [was] Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:

  • Luke 12:11 (3 votes)

    And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and [unto] magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

  • Matthew 6:25 (2 votes)

    Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

  • Luke 12:22 (2 votes)

    ¶ And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

  • Matthew 6:28 (2 votes)

    And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

  • Matthew 6:34 (1 votes)

    Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.