1 Samuel 9:11

11 As they were climbing the hill to the city, they found some young women coming out to draw water and asked, "Is the seer here?"

1 Samuel 9:11 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 9:11

And as they went up the hill to the city
For the city was built upon an hill, from whence it had the name of Ramah, which signifies high and lifted up:

they found young maidens going out to draw water:
going out of the city, to a fountain which was at the bottom of the hill; and this was the usual business of maidens in those countries to fetch water for the service of the family, (See Gill on Genesis 24:11), (See Gill on Genesis 24:15), (See Gill on Genesis 24:16). R. Akiba ^F5 makes this observation, that whenever a man meets maidens coming out of a city before he goes into it, it is a token of prosperity to him; and instances in the cases of Abraham's servant, of Jacob, and of Moses, and here of Saul, who was informed of a kingdom, and anointed for it, see ( Genesis 24:14 Genesis 24:21 ) ( Genesis 29:10 Genesis 29:11 ) ( Exodus 2:16 ) ,

and said unto them, is the seer here?
meaning, is he in the city? or is he at home? or is he in the country?

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 In Pirke Eliezer, c. 36. fol. 39. 1. 2.

1 Samuel 9:11 In-Context

9 Formerly in Israel, a man who was going to inquire of God would say, "Come, let's go to the seer," for the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.

10 "Good," Saul replied to his attendant. "Come on, let's go." So they went to the city where the man of God was.

11 As they were climbing the hill to the city, they found some young women coming out to draw water and asked, "Is the seer here?"

12 The women answered, "Yes, he is ahead of you. Hurry, he just now came to the city, because there's a sacrifice for the people at the high place today.

13 If you go quickly, you can catch up with him before he goes to the high place to eat. The people won't eat until he comes because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests can eat. Go up immediately-you can find him now."