1 Samuel 9

Saul's Search

1 Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was ¹Kish 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 He had a son whose name was Saul, a ²choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; ³from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.

3 Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to his son Saul, "Take now with you one of the servants, and arise, go search for the donkeys."

4 He passed through ⁴the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of ⁵Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of ⁶Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.

5 When they came to the land of ⁷Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, and let us return, ⁸or else my father will cease to be concerned about the donkeys and will become anxious for us."

6 He said to him, "Behold now, there is ⁹a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; ¹⁰all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there, ¹¹perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out."

7 Then Saul said to his servant, "But behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our sack and there is ¹²no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?"

8 The servant answered Saul again and said, "Behold, I have in my hand a fourth of a shekel of silver; I will give it to the man of God and he will ¹³tell us our way."

9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he used to say, "Come, and let us go to the seer "; for he who is called a prophet now was formerly called ¹⁴a seer.)

10 Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said; come, let us go." So they went to the city where * the man of God was.

11 As they went up the slope to the city, ¹⁵they found young women going out to draw water and said to them, "Is the seer here?"

12 They answered them and said, "He is; see, he is ahead of you. Hurry now, for he has come into the city today, for ¹⁶the people have a sacrifice on ¹⁷the high place today.

13 "As soon as you enter the city you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat, for the people will not eat until he comes, because ¹⁸he must bless the sacrifice; afterward * those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up for you will find him at once."

14 So they went up to the city. As they came into the city, behold, Samuel was coming out toward them to go up to the high place.

God's Choice for King

15 Now a day before Saul's coming, ¹⁹the LORD had revealed * this to Samuel saying,

16 "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and ²⁰you shall anoint him to be prince over My people Israel; and he will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines. For ²¹I have regarded My people, because their cry has come to Me."

17 When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "²²Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This one shall rule over My people."

18 Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, "Please tell me where the seer's house is."

19 Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is on your mind.

20 "²³As for your donkeys which were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And ²⁴for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's household?"

21 Saul replied, "²⁵Am I not a Benjamite, of ²⁶the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?"

22 Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty men.

23 Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, 'Set it aside.' "

24 Then the cook ²⁷took up the leg with what was on it and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Here is what has been reserved! Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time, since I said I have invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

25 When they came down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul ²⁸on the roof.

26 And they arose early; and at daybreak Samuel called to Saul on the roof, saying, "Get up, that I may send you away." So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street.

27 As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Say to the servant that he might go ahead of us and pass on, but you remain standing now, that I may proclaim the word of God to you."

1 Samuel 9 Commentary

Chapter 9

Saul is brought to Samuel. (1-10) Samuel told concerning Saul. (11-17) Samuel's treatment of Saul. (18-27)

Verses 1-10 Saul readily went to seek his father's asses. His obedience to his father was praise-worthy. His servant proposed, that since they were now at Ramah, they should call on Samuel, and take his advice. Wherever we are, we should use our opportunities of acquainting ourselves with those who are wise and good. Many will consult a man of God, if he comes in their way, that would not go a step out of their way to get wisdom. We sensibly feel worldly losses, and bestow much pains to make them up; but how little do we attempt, and how soon are we weary, in seeking the salvation of our souls! If ministers could tell men how to secure their property, or to get wealth, they would be more consulted and honoured than they now are, though employed in teaching them how to escape eternal misery, and to obtain eternal life. Most people would rather be told their fortune than their duty. Samuel needed not their money, nor would he have denied his advice, if they had not brought it; but they gave it to him as a token of respect, and of the value they put upon his office, and according to the general usage of those times, always to bring a present to those in authority.

Verses 11-17 The very maid-servants of the city could direct to the prophet. They had heard of the sacrifice, and could tell of the necessity for Samuel's presence. It is no small benefit to live in religious and holy places. And we should always be ready to help those who are seeking after God's prophets. Though God had, in displeasure, granted Israel's request for a king, yet he sends them a man to be captain over them, to save them out of the hand of the Philistines. He does it, listening graciously to their cry.

Verses 18-27 Samuel, that good prophet, was so far from envying Saul, or bearing him any ill-will, that he was the first and most forward to do him honour. Both that evening and early the next morning, Samuel communed with Saul upon the flat roof of the house. We may suppose Samuel now convinced Saul that he was the person God had fixed upon for the government, and of his own willingness to resign. How different are the purposes of the Lord for us, from our intentions for ourselves! Perhaps Saul was the only one who ever went out to seek asses, and literally found a kingdom; but many have set out and moved their dwellings to seek riches and pleasures, who have been guided to places where they found salvation for their souls. Thus they have met with those who addressed them as if aware of the secrets of their lives and hearts, and have been led seriously to regard the word of the Lord. If this has been our case, though our worldly plans have not prospered, let us not care for that; the Lord has given us, or has prepared us for, what is far better.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 14:51; 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles 9:36-39
• 2. 1 Samuel 10:24
• 3. 1 Samuel 10:23
• 4. Joshua 24:33
• 5. 2 Kings 4:42
• 6. Joshua 19:42
• 7. 1 Samuel 1:1
• 8. 1 Samuel 10:2
• 9. Deuteronomy 33:1; 1 Kings 13:1; 2 Kings 5:8
• 10. 1 Samuel 3:19
• 11. Genesis 24:42
• 12. 1 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 5:15; 2 Kings 8:8, 9; Ezekiel 13:19
• 13. 1 Samuel 9:6
• 14. 2 Samuel 24:11; 2 Kings 17:13; 1 Chronicles 9:22; 1 Chronicles 26:28; 1 Chronicles 29:29; Isaiah 30:10; Amos 7:12
• 15. Genesis 24:11, 15; Genesis 29:8, 9; Exodus 2:16
• 16. Genesis 31:54; Numbers 28:11-15; 1 Kings 3:2
• 17. 1 Samuel 7:17; 1 Samuel 10:5
• 18. Luke 9:16; John 6:11
• 19. 1 Samuel 15:1; Acts 13:21
• 20. 1 Samuel 10:1
• 21. Exodus 3:7, 9
• 22. 1 Samuel 16:12
• 23. 1 Samuel 9:3
• 24. 1 Samuel 8:5; 1 Samuel 12:13
• 25. 1 Samuel 15:17
• 26. Judges 20:46-48
• 27. Exodus 29:22, 27; Leviticus 7:32, 33; Numbers 18:18
• 28. Deuteronomy 22:8; Luke 5:19; Acts 10:9

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "wealth" or "influence"
• [b]. Or "behold"
• [c]. Lit "uncovered the ear"
• [d]. Lit "answered"
• [e]. So some ancient versions; Heb "tribes"
• [f]. Lit "Give"
• [g]. Lit "with you"
• [h]. Lit "saying"
• [i]. Gr adds "and they spread a bed for Saul on the roof and he slept"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 9

This chapter gives an account of Saul, the person the Lord had appointed to be king of Israel; it relates his descent, and describes his person, 1Sa 9:1,2 and how seeking his father's asses, which were lost, he providentially came to the place where Samuel dwelt, 1Sa 9:3-5 and being advised by his servant, and approving of his advice, he concluded to go to him, and inquire the way he should go, 1Sa 9:6-10 and being directed by some young maidens, they found him presently in the street going to a feast, 1Sa 9:11-14 and Samuel having some previous notice from the Lord of such a person's coming to him that day, when he met him invited him to dine with him, and obliged him to stay with him that day, 1Sa 9:15-19 satisfied him about his asses, and gave him a hint of the grandeur he was to be raised to, to which Saul made a modest reply, 1Sa 9:20,21 and Samuel treated him at the feast in a very respectable manner, 1Sa 9:22-24 and privately communed with him of things preparatory to what he was about to make known unto him, 1Sa 9:25-27.