1 Samuel 9
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Samuel 9
Spurgeon - Here we have the pedigree of the first king of Israel, Saul, the son of Kish. He was descended from a noble tribe, though not a very large one, and he appears to have been endowed with a very notable personal appearance: “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;” and to the Israelites of that day, who had got away from looking up to God, and to the more valuable accomplishments of the mind and the heart, the striking personal appearance of Saul would be a great attraction and recommendation. Mighty (01368) gibbor cp related verb gabar = be strong, accomplish, excel, prevail) is from a root which is commonly associated with warfare and has to do with the strength and vitality of the successful warrior. And thus this adjective means powerful, strong, brave, mighty. Warrior. Hero. Mighty man (cp "mighty [gibbor] men of David" - 2Sa 23:8). See discussion of this word group from TWOT - Gibbor Word Group Jehovah is "the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty and the awesome God" (Dt 10:17), the "King of glory, Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle" (Ps 24:8), "a victorious warrior (gibbor)" (Zeph 3:17), the "Mighty One (gibbor - in context a prophecy of the Messiah)" (Ps 45:3) Valor (wealth, strength, riches, army) (02428) chayil strength, wealth, army. This word has the basic idea of strength and influence. C P Weber - In the sense of "strength," "power," or "might" in general, ḥayil is used about twenty times: of God (Psalm 59:11), from God (Ps 18:32), physical strength of a man (Eccles. 10:10), or even of plant life (Joel 2:22). As wealth is often related to power, ḥayil is thus used to mean "wealth" about thirty times being translated "wealth," "riches," "substance," or "goods." It may be the wealth of a nation (Tyre, Ezekiel 28:4-5) an individual (e.g. Job 31:25), the wicked (Job 15:29), or from God (Dt. 8:18, etc.). Approximately eighty-five times ḥayil is used as an attribute of people. It follows ʾîsh "man" ("valiant man," 1 Kings 1:42), sometimes bēn, son" ("valiant man," 2 Sa 17:10), and most often follows gibbôr "mighty (man)" ("mighty man of valor"). The individual designated seems to be the elite warrior similar to the hero of the Homeric epic, and it may be that the gibbôr hayil was a member of a social class. Although in most contexts his military prowess was involved, he was wealthy enough to bear special taxes (2 Kings 15:20, translated because of context, "mighty men of wealth"). The use in 1 Kings 1:52 indicates that the ben ḥayil (translated "worthy man") was also to be honorable or reputable. Adonijah's life was in danger because of his treachery, not because of lack of strength or wealth. ḥayil also designates men of ability to care for Joseph's sheep (Genesis 47:6, translated "men of activity"), or to judge the people (Exodus 18:21, 25, translated able men"). When the term is used of a woman (Ruth 3:11; Proverbs 12:4; and Proverbs 31:10) it is translated virtuous" (ASV, RSV "worthy" or "good"), but it may well be that a woman of this caliber had all the attributes of her male counterpart. The use of ḥayil to designate a class of people is seldom found outside the historical books from Joshua to 2 Chronicles. Moreover the translation sometimes obscures its occurrence, such as: "men of activity," "able men," "worthy man," "men of wealth," "man of power" (1 Samuel 9:1), "man of might" (2 Kings 24:16), "strong men" (1 Chr 26:7, 9), and even "meet for the war" (KJV, Deut. 3:18). ḥayil follows ʿāśâ "do" or "make" in an idiom translated "do worthily" (Ruth 4:11), "virtuously" (Proverbs 31:29) for women, and "do valiantly" (Psalm 60:12 [H 14], et al.) for men. Resulting from the meaning "strength," ḥayil is used over one hundred times (about half of which are in Jeremiah and Ezekiel) in the sense of "army," host," or "forces." In this connection it is also translated "band of men" (1 Samuel 10:26), "band of soldiers" (Ezra 8:22), and for some reason war" meaning "army" in the phrase "captains of war" (KJV, 2 Chr 33:14). In a related sense ḥayil is used for the entourage which accompanied the queen of Sheba when she visited Solomon (1 Kings 10:2; 2 Chron. 9:1; variously translated "company," "train," "retinue"). (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament) James Smith - Handfuls of Purpose - SAUL, THE CHOICE YOUNG MAN 1 Samuel 9 “Life is the day of grace, Up! Strive to win the race; Lo! Grace and Truth have come; Turn, listen, be not dumb.” —GROSART. The morning of Saul’s life was calm and bright, and full of promise; the midday was cloudy and threatening; the afternoon was cold, and dark, and stormy; the evening was terrific with the thunderstorm of despair, and suicidal blackness. His life began with a day of grace, and ended with the “wages of sin.” In this chapter we have Saul brought before us as a “choice young man, and goodly.” Let us take a look at him. He was so in his— I. Personal Appearance. “There was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he” (v. 2). He had what almost every young man covets to have—an attractive and commanding persona. God had richly blessed him with a finely-formed and superior physical body. This is an inheritance that is not to be lightly esteemed, although many, both young men and young women, use this gift of God only for their own selfish ends. A healthy and well-formed body makes a beautiful temple for the Holy Spirit, and may be a mighty weapon in His hands to the pulling down of the strongholds of Satan. II. Child-like Obedience. He went at once at his father’s bidding to “seek the asses” (vv. 3, 4). Although Saul was “head and shoulders higher than any of the people,” he was not too big to obey his father. This is a lovely trait in the character of a handsome young man. When the disciples strove about who should be greatest in the kingdom of God, Jesus took a little child and set him in the midst as an example of the true spirit of greatness, and said, “He that will be chiefest among you, let him be the servant of all” (Mark 10:44). He loved us, and gave Himself for us. III. Filial Thoughtfulness. “Come, let us return, lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us” (v. 5). He was not so anxious about the objects of his pursuit as to forget the anxious thoughts of a loving father. There be many young men who leave home in the pursuit of business who, in their new surroundings, forget the yearnings of a father’s heart, so that their letters home are long in coming. They are wise fathers who are more concerned about the safety of their sons than the success of their worldly business. IV. Generous Disposition. When his servant suggested that they should consult the prophet about the lost asses, he at once reminded him that he had “not a present to bring to the man of God” (vv. 6, 7). This is quite an incidental revelation of the kindliness of his nature. He could not think of asking a favour, even from “the man of God,” without recompensing him in some way (Judges 6:18). It is said that “generous natures go most readily astray.” The very depth and force of their generous affections may be their greatest temptation. But the shallow inconsiderate and selfish young man is already far astray. Look not every man on his own things (interests), but on the things (interests) of others (1 John 2:15). V. Relationship to God. “When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto Him, Behold the man!… this same man shall reign over My people” (v. 17). Not only was he “a choice young man” in the sight of men, but he was “a choice young man” in the sight of God. The highest honour any young man can have on earth is to be a chosen one of God; it is worth sacrificing all the world for such a favour. And this honour have all the saints in Christ Jesus. A young man may have many lovely features in his character, many rich moral qualities, yet if this link of Divine approbation is awanting he is like a beautiful ship laden with valuable goods, but drifting aimlessly on the ocean of life. He is out of harmony with the purpose of God. Saul did not find the asses, but he found a kingdom. His disappointment was God’s appointment. The Gospel of Christ is God’s call to every man to inherit the kingdom of Heaven. Ho! weary seekers in the world of business or pleasure, turn aside and seek the Prophet of Nazareth, He will give you a kingdom. 1 Samuel 9:1-6 Godliman Street Several years ago my wife and I were walking in London when we came across a road named Godliman Street. We were told that a man once lived there whose life was so saintly that his street became known as "that godly man's street." This reminded me of an Old Testament story. Saul's father sent his son and a servant to look for some donkeys that had wandered away. The young men searched for many days but couldn't find the animals. Saul was ready to give up and go home, but his servant pointed toward Ramah, the prophet Samuel's village, and replied, "Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go" (1 Samuel 9:6). Throughout his years and into old age, Samuel had sought friendship and fellowship with God, and his words were weighty with truth. People knew him to be a prophet of the Lord. So Saul and his servant "went to the city where the man of God was" (v.10). Thinking It Over How would your neighbors describe you? For further study, read Why Would Anyone Want To Be Holy? The most powerful testimony is a godly life. 1 Samuel 9:2 He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people. BGT 1 Samuel 9:2 καὶ τούτῳ υἱός καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Σαουλ εὐμεγέθης ἀνὴρ ἀγαθός καὶ οὐκ ἦν ἐν υἱοῖς Ισραηλ ἀγαθὸς ὑπὲρ αὐτόν ὑπὲρ ὠμίαν καὶ ἐπάνω ὑψηλὸς ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν KJV 1 Samuel 9:2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice 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. NET 1 Samuel 9:2 He had a son named Saul, a handsome young man. There was no one among the Israelites more handsome than he was; he stood head and shoulders above all the people. CSB 1 Samuel 9:2 He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man. There was no one more impressive among the Israelites than he. He stood a head taller than anyone else. ESV 1 Samuel 9:2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. NIV 1 Samuel 9:2 He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites--a head taller than any of the others. NLT 1 Samuel 9:2 His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel-- head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land. NRS 1 Samuel 9:2 He had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he; he stood head and shoulders above everyone else. choice: 1Sa 16:7 Ge 6:2 2Sa 14:25,26 Jer 9:23 from his shoulders: 1Sa 10:23 17:4 Nu 13:33 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Gigantic Proportions of Sovereign, from the Egyptian Sculptures A CHOICE SON NAMED SAUL He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people (“head and shoulders” taller) - Tall, dark and handsome, a perfect picture of a regal ruler (see picture above)! Saul's name means "asked of God," very apropos in view of the fact that he was the answer to the answer to Israel's asking for a king. Saul's description indicates he had the look of a king in his appearance and stature! Samuel filled the image of a king. You might say Saul "had it all" coming from a wealthy family and having what the world craves for, good looks, even standing out because of his height. You would say he is a perfect candidate to be Israel's first king. Note what is not mentioned about Saul - his relationship with God. Bergen makes a fascinating comment - Saul is the only Israelite specifically noted in the Bible as being tall; elsewhere it was only Israel’s enemies whose height was noted (cf. Num 13:33; Deut 1:28; 2:10; 9:2; 1 Sam 17:4). Israel had asked for a king “like all the other nations” (8:20), and the Lord was giving them the desires of their heart, even down to the physical details! (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary)
1 Samuel 9
Spurgeon - OBSERVE HOW THE HAND OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE CAUSES LITTLE THINGS TO LEAD ON TO GREAT MATTERS. This man Saul must be placed in the way of the prophet Samuel. How shall a meeting be brought about? Poor beasts of burden shall be the intermediate means. The asses go astray, and Saul’s father bids him take a servant, and go to seek them. In the course of their wanderings, the animals might have gone North, South, East, or West; for who shall account for the wild will of runaway asses? But so it happened, as men say, that they strayed, or were thought to have strayed, in such a direction that, by-and-by, Saul found himself near to Ramah, where Samuel, the prophet, was ready to anoint him. On how small an incident the greatest results may hinge! The pivots of history are microscopic. Hence, it is most important for us to learn that the smallest trifles are as much arranged by the God of providence as the most startling events. He who counts the stars has also numbered the hairs of our heads. Our lives and deaths are predestinated, but so also are our downsitting and our uprising. Had we but sufficiently powerful perceptive faculties, we should see God’s hand as clearly in each stone of our pathway as in the revolutions of the earth. In watching our own lives, we may plainly see that, on many occasions, the merest grain has turned the scale. Whereas there seemed to be but a hair’s-breadth between one course of action and another, yet that hair’s-breadth has sufficed to direct the current of our life. “He,” says Flavel, “who will observe providences shall never be long without a providence to observe.” Providence may be seen as the finger of God, not merely in those events which shake nations, and are duly emblazoned on the page of history, but in little incidents of common life, ay, in the motion of a grain of dust, the trembling of a dew-drop, the flight of a swallow, or the leaping of a fish.(from 1 Samuel 9:3, 20 Looking for One Thing and Finding Another) Dale Ralph Davis - It looks like simply another chapter in "Minor Irritations in Life on the Farm." Lost asses, fruitless search, a servant's suggestion, a prophet's hospitality, sacred oil. Who could've known? That day on Kish's farm it just looked like the usual, ordinary, routine, run-of-the-mill sort of bump-along life most of us have. But Samuel's ear had heard what was really up: "tomorrow about this time I will send you a man... " (9:16). Yahweh frequently magnifies the minutiae of our lives into channels of his mercy. But we are getting ahead of our story..... "Providence" is God's way of providing for the needs of his people. That's not all of it, but some of it. When I use "providence" here I mean that wonderful, strange, mysterious, unguessable way Yahweh has of ruling his world and sustaining his people, and his doing it, frequently, over, under, around, through, or in spite of the most common stuff of our lives or even the bias of our wills. Here was common stuff all right: looking for lost asses, asking dozens of local folks ("Have you happened to see...?"), making a thorough tour of the central hill country (9:4-5a),[2] deciding to give up the fruitless search (v. 5b), urging an inquiry of the man of God (v. 6), happening to find a fourth shekel's weight of silver for a prophet's fee (vv. 7-8). It is all so natural and ordinary. As Alexander Maclaren has put it: Think of the chain of ordinary events which brought Saul to the little city,—the wandering of a drove of asses, the failure to get on their tracks, the accident of being in the land of Zuph when he got tired of the search, the suggestion of the servant; and behind all these, and working through them, the will and hand of God, thrusting this man, all unconscious, along a path which he knew not. It all seems so casual; who would know it was planned? It looks like we are dealing simply with what appears rather than with what is ordained. How do we know losing the asses and finding a kingdom was God's doing? Because of an "intrusion" into our story. (Focus on the Bible Commentary – 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart) NIV Study Bible - Saul is introduced as a donkey wrangler sent in search of donkeys that had strayed from home—perhaps symbolizing Saul and the rebellious people who had asked for a king (cf. Isa 1:3). David would be introduced as a shepherd caring for his father's flock (16:11-13) and later pictured as the shepherd over the Lord's flock (see 2Sa 5:2 and note; 7:7-8; Ps 78:70-72 and note on Ps 78:72). (Borrow NIV Study Bible) TECHNICAL NOTE - NET NOTE - The Syriac Peshitta includes the following words: “So Saul arose and went out. He took with him one of the boys and went out to look for his father’s donkeys.” Related Resource: See more comments on the providential nature of the "Tail" of Donkey Debacle or "How to Find a King by Losing Donkeys." 1 Samuel 9:4 He passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. BGT 1 Samuel 9:4 καὶ διῆλθον δι᾽ ὄρους Εφραιμ καὶ διῆλθον διὰ τῆς γῆς Σελχα καὶ οὐχ εὗρον καὶ διῆλθον διὰ τῆς γῆς Εασακεμ καὶ οὐκ ἦν καὶ διῆλθον διὰ τῆς γῆς Ιακιμ καὶ οὐχ εὗρον KJV 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. NET 1 Samuel 9:4 So Saul crossed through the hill country of Ephraim, passing through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. So they crossed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he crossed through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them. CSB 1 Samuel 9:4 Saul and his attendant went through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the region of Shalishah, but they didn't find them. They went through the region of Shaalim-- nothing. Then they went through the Benjaminite region but still didn't find them. ESV 1 Samuel 9:4 And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them. NIV 1 Samuel 9:4 So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them. NLT 1 Samuel 9:4 So Saul took one of the servants and traveled through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, the Shaalim area, and the entire land of Benjamin, but they couldn't find the donkeys anywhere. NRS 1 Samuel 9:4 He passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of Benjamin, but they did not find them. hill country of Ephraim: Jdg 17:1 19:1 Shalisha: 2Ki 4:42 Shalim: Ge 33:18 Joh 3:23 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Central Location of Ephraim SAUL'S SEARCH LACKS SUCCESS He passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them - Recall that the prophet Samuel's home base was located in the hill country of Ephraim Then - Don't miss the conjunction then, which occurs 31x in 30 verses in this story of the anointing of Saul as King (1 Samuel 9-12). So what's significant about "then?" Just this - it means at that time, soon after that, next in order of time and helps one see the sequence of events in a narrative. They passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. - God was leading Saul on this journey. Saul thought he was seeking the donkeys, not knowing that God was seeking to make him king. God is always "behind the scenes," controlling the scenes He is behind. These "dead ends" also indicate the diligence of Saul. And they show that the donkeys went where God wanted them. Had they found the donkeys, they would have returned home and missed the crucial meeting with Samuel. Spurgeon - He was diligent in his father’s service, even though that service meant a fruitless journey in search of some straying asses. As he was thus faithfully discharging the duties of his station in life; he was the man who was likely to rise to some higher position. He was the son of “a mighty man of power” or substance, and yet, so simple were the manners of the time that he was sent, with one of the servants, to look for the lost donkeys, and he appears to have started at once to carry out the commission which had been entrusted to him. Learn from Saul’s obedience, dear young people, never to despise any duty which falls to your lot in the ordinary avocations of daily life; you will be preparing yourselves for some higher position by doing well what you are called to do now. 1 Samuel 9:5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, and let us return, or else my father will cease to be concerned about the donkeys and will become anxious for us." BGT 1 Samuel 9:5 αὐτῶν ἐλθόντων εἰς τὴν Σιφ καὶ Σαουλ εἶπεν τῷ παιδαρίῳ αὐτοῦ τῷ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ δεῦρο καὶ ἀναστρέψωμεν μὴ ἀνεὶς ὁ πατήρ μου τὰς ὄνους φροντίζῃ περὶ ἡμῶν KJV 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. NET 1 Samuel 9:5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come on, let's head back before my father quits worrying about the donkeys and becomes anxious about us!" CSB 1 Samuel 9:5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to the attendant who was with him, "Come on, let's go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us." ESV 1 Samuel 9:5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, let us go back, lest my father cease to care about the donkeys and become anxious about us." NIV 1 Samuel 9:5 When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, "Come, let's go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us." NLT 1 Samuel 9:5 Finally, they entered the region of Zuph, and Saul said to his servant, "Let's go home. By now my father will be more worried about us than about the donkeys!" NRS 1 Samuel 9:5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to the boy who was with him, "Let us turn back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and worry about us." Zuph: 1Sa 1:1 take thought: 1Sa 10:2 Mt 6:25,28,34 Lu 12:11,22 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL'S TENDER HEART TOWARD HIS FATHER When they came to the land of Zuph - We do not know exactly were Zuph was located but apparently it was relatively central (like Ephraim -- see map above). Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, and let us return, or else my father will cease to be concerned about the donkeys and will become anxious for us - Servant indicates Saul's family had some wealth. Saul shows his concern for his father is more important than his concern for his father's donkeys. Spurgeon - There was evidently in Saul, at that time, a great considerateness of spirit; he wished to save his father from having any painful anxiety concerning his son and his servant, for Saul put both together when he said “us.” It is most desirable that young men, in the present day, should have a tender regard for those to whom they owe their being, and who have done so much for them in the years of their tender infancy; and that all young people should be careful never needlessly to give their parents one anxious thought on their account. 1 Samuel 9:6 He said to him, "Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out." BGT 1 Samuel 9:6 καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ παιδάριον ἰδοὺ δὴ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἔνδοξος πᾶν ὃ ἐὰν λαλήσῃ παραγινόμενον παρέσται καὶ νῦν πορευθῶμεν ὅπως ἀπαγγείλῃ ἡμῖν τὴν ὁδὸν ἡμῶν ἐφ᾽ ἣν ἐπορεύθημεν ἐπ᾽ αὐτήν KJV 1 Samuel 9:6 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. NET 1 Samuel 9:6 But the servant said to him, "Look, there is a man of God in this town. He is highly respected. Everything that he says really happens. Now let's go there. Perhaps he will tell us where we should go from here." CSB 1 Samuel 9:6 "Look," the attendant said, "there's a man of God in this city who is highly respected; everything he says is sure to come true. Let's go there now. Maybe he'll tell us which way we should go." ESV 1 Samuel 9:6 But he said to him, "Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go." NIV 1 Samuel 9:6 But the servant replied, "Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let's go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take." NLT 1 Samuel 9:6 But the servant said, "I've just thought of something! There is a man of God who lives here in this town. He is held in high honor by all the people because everything he says comes true. Let's go find him. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go." NRS 1 Samuel 9:6 But he said to him, "There is a man of God in this town; he is a man held in honor. Whatever he says always comes true. Let us go there now; perhaps he will tell us about the journey on which we have set out." city: 1Sa 2:27 De 33:1 1Ki 13:1 2Ki 6:6 1Ti 6:11 honor: 1Th 2:10 5:13 ll that he says surely comes true: 1Sa 3:19,20 Isa 44:26 Zec 1:5,6 Mt 24:35 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MAN OF GOD'S EXCELLENT REPUTATION He (Saul's servant) said to him (Saul), "Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor (cf 1Sa 3:20+); all that he says surely comes true - Man of God clearly refers to Samuel the prophet and the fact that all he said comes true testifies that everyone believed he was a true prophet of God. What is amazing/surprising is that the implication is that Saul is not aware of this man of God! Man of God is key phrase in 1 Samuel 9 - 1 Sam 9:6 1 Sam 9:7 1 Sam 9:8 1 Sam 9:10 (Only other use in 1Sa = 1 Sam 2:27) THOUGHT - Do others think of you primarily as a man (or woman) of God or a man (or woman) of the world. These reputations are "worlds apart!" May others call us man/woman of God, because we have walked worthy of our high calling in Christ. Amen. Now let us go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out - Let's go to a prophet of God and he will enable us to find our donkeys. Actually the phrase perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out proves to be prophetic, as Samuel would indeed tell them why they had set out on this journey for donkeys! It was really a journey to find (anoint) a king! Spurgeon - In this case, as in so many others, the servant seems to have had more grace than his young master had, for the name of Samuel the prophet was not unknown to him, and he knew where the “man of God” lived, and told Saul a good deal about him, and gave him some good advice as to what they should do. In any case where the servant, and not the master, knows the Lord, it is well, when occasion offers, and it can be done prudently and discreetly, for the servant to speak up, and give a good word for the cause of God and truth. Brian Bell - Up to this point Saul had been totally ignorant of Samuel’s existence until now. This seems strange seeing that Samuel lived so close to Saul’s hometown & had been such a blessing o the nation. Saul’s lack of awareness indicated that Kish & his family were entirely irreligious & totally immersed in their own pursuits. How disappointing that the only reason they visited Samuel was to find their lost animals! a) People often “use” their religion to solve their problems & not to strengthen their character or overcome their sins. b) Nevertheless, God uses all of this to bring Saul to Samuel. Faithfulness in a small task led Saul to a new friend, a new calling, & a new opportunity to serve God. (Warren Wiersbe) William Blaikie - from the very beginning, a great want in Saul. He appears from the very first to have wanted all that was most conspicuous and most valuable in Samuel. It is a circumstance not without its significance, that the very name and work of Samuel do not seem to have been familiar or even known to him. It was his servant that knew about Samuel, and that told Saul of his being in the city, in the land of Zuph (1 Samuel 9:5-6). This cannot but strike us as very strange. We should have thought that the name of Samuel would have been as familiar to all the people of Israel as that of Queen Victoria to the people of Great Britain. But Saul does not appear to have heard it, as in any way remarkable. Does not this indicate a family living entirely outside of all religious connections, entirely immersed in secular things, caring nothing about godly people, and hardly ever even pronouncing their name? It is singular how utterly ignorant worldly men are of what passes in religious circles, if they happen to have no near relative, or familiar acquaintance in the religious world to carry the news to them from time to time. And as Saul thus lived outside of all religious circles, so he seems to have been entirely wanting in that great quality which was needed for a king of Israel - loyalty to the Heavenly King. Here it was that the difference between him and Samuel was so great. Loyalty to God and to God's nation was the very foundation of Samuel's life. Anything like self-seeking was unknown to him. He had early undergone that momentous change, when God is substituted for self as the pivot of one's life. The claims of the great King were ever paramount in his eyes. What would please God and be honouring to Him, was the first question that rose to his mind. And as Israel was God's people, so the interest and the welfare of Israel were ever dear to him. And thus it was that Samuel might be relied on not to think of himself, not to think of his own wishes or interests, except as utterly subordinate to the wishes and interests of his God and his nation. It was this that gave such solidity to Samuel's character, and made him so invaluable to his people. In every sphere of life it is a precious quality. Whether as domestic servants, or clerks, or managers, dependent on others, those persons are ever of priceless worth whose hearts are thus set on objects outside themselves, and who are proof against the common temptations of selfishness and worldliness. And when they are the rulers of a nation, and are able to disregard their personal welfare in their burning desire to benefit the whole people, they rise to the rank of heroes, and after their death, their names are enshrined in the memories of a grateful and admiring people. (ED: O BELOVED, HOW WE NEED TO INTERCEDE FOR AMERICA'S LEADERS TO BE MEN OF SUCH AN ILK! DO IT LORD, FOR THY GLORY. AMEN - cf 1Ti 2:1-2+). But in these high qualities, Saul seems to have been altogether wanting. For though he was not selfish and self-indulgent at first, though he readily obeyed his father in going to search for the strayed asses, he had no deep root of unselfishness in his nature, and by-and-bye, in the hour of temptation, the cloven foot unhappily appeared. And ere long the people would learn, that as Saul had in him no profound reverence for the will of God, so he had in him no profound and indefeasible regard for the welfare of God's people. The people would come to see what a fatal mistake they had made in selecting a king merely for superficial qualities, and passing by all that would have allied him, as Samuel was allied, to God himself. Now it seems to have been God's purpose that the first king of Israel should be a man of this kind. Through him the people were to learn that the king who simply fulfilled their notions, was capable, when his self-will was developed, of dragging the nation to ruin. No! it was not the superficial qualities of Saul that would be a blessing to the nation. It was not a man out of all spiritual sympathy with the living God that would raise the standing of Israel among the kingdoms around, and bring them the submission and respect of foreign kings. The intense and consistent godliness of Samuel was probably the quality that was not popular among the people. In the worldliness of his spirit, Saul was probably more to their liking. Yet it was this unworldly but godly Samuel that had delivered them from the bitter yoke of the Philistines, and it was this handsome but unspiritual Saul that was to bring them again into bondage to their ancient foes. This was the sad lesson to be learned from the reign of Saul. F B
1 Samuel 9
Spurgeon has an interesting comment - He says nothing about any money that he may have had in his own pocket, and again his servant has to lead the way. 1 Samuel 9:8 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 tell us our way." BGT 1 Samuel 9:8 καὶ προσέθετο τὸ παιδάριον ἀποκριθῆναι τῷ Σαουλ καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ εὕρηται ἐν τῇ χειρί μου τέταρτον σίκλου ἀργυρίου καὶ δώσεις τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἀπαγγελεῖ ἡμῖν τὴν ὁδὸν ἡμῶν KJV 1 Samuel 9:8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. NET 1 Samuel 9:8 The servant went on to answer Saul, "Look, I happen to have in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God and he will tell us where we should go." CSB 1 Samuel 9:8 The attendant answered Saul: "Here, I have a piece of silver. I'll give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way." ESV 1 Samuel 9:8 The servant answered Saul again, "Here, I have with me a quarter of a shekel of silver, and I will give it to the man of God to tell us our way." NIV 1 Samuel 9:8 The servant answered him again. "Look," he said, "I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take." NLT 1 Samuel 9:8 "Well," the servant said, "I have one small silver piece. We can at least offer it to the man of God and see what happens!" YLT 1 Samuel 9:8 And the young man addeth to answer Saul, and saith, 'Lo, there is found with me a fourth of a shekel of silver: and I have given to the man of God, and he hath declared to us our way.' NRS 1 Samuel 9:8 The boy answered Saul again, "Here, I have with me a quarter shekel of silver; I will give it to the man of God, to tell us our way." 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A SHEKEL OF SILVER FOR A PROPHECY 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 tell us our way - This passage does seem to imply the servant thought he could "buy" a prophecy from Samuel. NET NOTE - A quarter shekel of silver would weigh about a tenth of an ounce (about 3 grams). Youngblood - When consulting a prophet, it was common courtesy to bring a gift (Amos 7:12), whether modest (1 Kings 14:3) or lavish (2 Kings 8:8–9).” 1 Samuel 9:9 (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 a seer.) BGT 1 Samuel 9:9 καὶ ἔμπροσθεν ἐν Ισραηλ τάδε ἔλεγεν ἕκαστος ἐν τῷ πορεύεσθαι ἐπερωτᾶν τὸν θεόν δεῦρο πορευθῶμεν πρὸς τὸν βλέποντα ὅτι τὸν προφήτην ἐκάλει ὁ λαὸς ἔμπροσθεν ὁ βλέπων KJV 1 Samuel 9:9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) NET 1 Samuel 9:9 (Now it used to be in Israel that whenever someone went to inquire of God he would say, "Come on, let's go to the seer." For today's prophet used to be called a seer.) CSB 1 Samuel 9:9 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. ESV 1 Samuel 9:9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, "Come, let us go to the seer," for today's "prophet" was formerly called a seer.) NIV 1 Samuel 9:9 (Formerly in Israel, if a man went to inquire of God, he would say, "Come, let us go to the seer," because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.) NLT 1 Samuel 9:9 (In those days if people wanted a message from God, they would say, "Let's go and ask the seer," for prophets used to be called seers.) YLT 1 Samuel 9:9 Formerly in Israel, thus said the man in his going to seek God, 'Come and we go unto the seer,' for the 'prophet' of to-day is called formerly 'the seer.' NRS 1 Samuel 9:9 (Formerly in Israel, anyone who went to inquire of God would say, "Come, let us go to the seer"; for the one who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.) inquire: Ge 25:22 Jdg 1:1 a Seer: 2Sa 24:11 2Ki 17:13 1Ch 26:28 29:29 2Ch 16:7,10 Isa 29:10 Isa 30:10 Am 7:12 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PARENTHETICAL EXPLANATION A SEER = A PROPHET (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 a seer.) - Note there is no mention of requirement to bring remuneration in any form to the seer/prophet. Adam
1 Samuel 9
Spurgeon - He was a man who looked further ahead than others could; for, under divine inspiration, he could see into futurity. 1 Samuel 9:10 Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said; come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was. BGT 1 Samuel 9:10 καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ πρὸς τὸ παιδάριον αὐτοῦ ἀγαθὸν τὸ ῥῆμα δεῦρο καὶ πορευθῶμεν καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς τὴν πόλιν οὗ ἦν ἐκεῖ ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ θεοῦ KJV 1 Samuel 9:10 Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was. NET 1 Samuel 9:10 So Saul said to his servant, "That's a good idea! Come on. Let's go." So they went to the town where the man of God was. CSB 1 Samuel 9:10 "Good," Saul replied to his attendant. "Come on, let's go." So they went to the city where the man of God was. ESV 1 Samuel 9:10 And Saul said to his servant, "Well said; come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was. NIV 1 Samuel 9:10 "Good," Saul said to his servant. "Come, let's go." So they set out for the town where the man of God was. NLT 1 Samuel 9:10 "All right," Saul agreed, "let's try it!" So they started into the town where the man of God lived. NRS 1 Samuel 9:10 Saul said to the boy, "Good; come, let us go." So they went to the town where the man of God was. YLT 1 Samuel 9:10 And Saul saith to his young man, 'Thy word is good; come, we go;' and they go unto the city where the man of God is. Well said: 2Ki 5:13,14 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL ACCEPTS SERVANT'S ADVICE Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said (Lit - Thy word is good); come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was - The city is not named. Presumably it is related to the fact that Samuel "he used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places." (1Sa 7:16). Spurgeon - Saul was willing to be liberal at his servant’s expense, and to let him give “the fourth part of a shekel of silver” to the prophet for him; and we have known some other folk who have been very generous in giving away the money of other people rather than their own. 1 Samuel 9:11 As they went up the slope to the city, they found young women going out to draw water and said to them, "Is the seer here?" BGT 1 Samuel 9:11 αὐτῶν ἀναβαινόντων τὴν ἀνάβασιν τῆς πόλεως καὶ αὐτοὶ εὑρίσκουσιν τὰ κοράσια ἐξεληλυθότα ὑδρεύσασθαι ὕδωρ καὶ λέγουσιν αὐταῖς εἰ ἔστιν ἐνταῦθα ὁ βλέπων KJV 1 Samuel 9:11 And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here? NET 1 Samuel 9:11 As they were going up the ascent to the town, they met some girls coming out to draw water. They said to them, "Is this where the seer is?" CSB 1 Samuel 9:11 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?" ESV 1 Samuel 9:11 As they went up the hill to the city, they met young women coming out to draw water and said to them, "Is the seer here?" NIV 1 Samuel 9:11 As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some girls coming out to draw water, and they asked them, "Is the seer here?" NLT 1 Samuel 9:11 As they were climbing the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water. So Saul and his servant asked, "Is the seer here today?" NRS 1 Samuel 9:11 As they went up the hill to the town, they met some girls coming out to draw water, and said to them, "Is the seer here?" YLT 1 Samuel 9:11 They are going up in the ascent of the city, and have found young women going out to draw water, and say to them, 'Is the seer in this place?' slope of the city: Ge 24:11,18-20 Ex 2:16 Jdg 5:11 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries UP TO THE CITY TO MEET THE PROPHET As they went up the slope to the city - They had to ascend to the unnamed city. They found young women going out to draw water and said to them, "Is the seer here?" - In that day, the women went for water. This encounter was not accidental but divinely providential! THOUGHT - Have you experienced divinely ordained providential encounters? I'm sure you have. But O to have our spiritual eyes opened wider to see the innumerable occasions of divine providence in our lives, that we might, guided by His Spirit, rightly respond to them. Amen See discussion of "opportunities" in article on Redeem the Time. 1 Samuel 9:12 They answered them and said, "He is; see, he is ahead of you. Hurry now, for he has come into the city today, for the people have a sacrifice on the high place today. BGT 1 Samuel 9:12 καὶ ἀπεκρίθη τὰ κοράσια αὐτοῖς καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτοῖς ἔστιν ἰδοὺ κατὰ πρόσωπον ὑμῶν νῦν διὰ τὴν ἡμέραν ἥκει εἰς τὴν πόλιν ὅτι θυσία σήμερον τῷ λαῷ ἐν Βαμα KJV 1 Samuel 9:12 And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: NET 1 Samuel 9:12 They replied, "Yes, straight ahead! But hurry now, for he came to the town today, and the people are making a sacrifice at the high place. CSB 1 Samuel 9:12 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. ESV 1 Samuel 9:12 They answered, "He is; behold, he is just ahead of you. Hurry. He has come just now to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today on the high place. NIV 1 Samuel 9:12 "He is," they answered. "He's ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place. NLT 1 Samuel 9:12 "Yes," they replied. "Stay right on this road. He is at the town gates. He has just arrived to take part in a public sacrifice up at the place of worship. NRS 1 Samuel 9:12 They answered, "Yes, there he is just ahead of you. Hurry; he has come just now to the town, because the people have a sacrifice today at the shrine. YLT 1 Samuel 9:12 And they answer them and say, 'He is; lo, before thee! haste, now, for to-day he hath come in to the city, for the people hath a stated sacrifice in a high place. sacrifice: 1Sa 16:2 Ge 31:54 De 12:6,7 1Co 5:7,8 the high place: 1Ki 3:2-4 1Ch 16:39 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Kings 3:2-4 The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days. 3 Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. Leviticus 26:30 ‘I then will destroy your high places, and cut down your incense altars, and heap your remains on the remains of your idols, for My soul shall abhor you. HURRY TO THE SEER They answered them and said, "He is; see, he is ahead of you. Hurry now, for he has come into the city today, for the people have a sacrifice on the high place (bamah) today - The statement he has come into the city today suggests this was part of Samuel's annual cycle and that this was not his home base Ramah. Why would they sacrifice on the high place? The most likely answer is there was at that time no tabernacle. This would support the premise that the Tabernacle at Shiloh had been destroyed, presumably in the war with the Philistines when they captured the Ark of the Covenant. The high places later became locations of unbiblical practices and finally even locations of abominable idolatrous worship. Bergen - Being an itinerant judge for the region (cf. 7:16–17), Samuel visited his hometown only occasionally. The altar that he had previously constructed there, likely “at the high place” (Hb. bāmâ), had apparently become a sacred site that served as a local substitute for the ruined worship center at Shiloh (cf. comments on 1Sa 7:17). (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) William Blaikie - But now, as Saul and his servant came to the city, another providential meeting takes place to help them to their object. "As they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water." The city was up the hill, and the water supply would naturally be at the bottom. From the maidens that were going down to the fountain, they obtained information fitted to quicken their movements. They learned that the prophet had already arrived. The preparations for the sacrifice which he was to offer were now going on. It was just the time to get a word with him, if they had business to transact. Very soon he would be going up to the high place, and then the solemn rites would begin, and be followed by the feast, which would engross his whole attention. If they would catch him at the proper moment they must "make haste." That they did quicken their pace, we cannot doubt. And it was necessary; for just as they reached the city Samuel made his appearance, about to go up to the high place. If they had lost that moment, they would probably have had no opportunity during the whole day. Nor is it likely that Saul, who had no great desire for the company of the prophet, would have waited till the sacrifice and the feast were over. The two men were brought together just in the nick of time. And thus another essential link of God's chain, bringing the old and the new ruler of Israel into contact with each other, was happily adjusted, all through means to us apparently accidental, but forming parts of the great scheme of God. High places (01116) bamah Six activities seem to be related to high places -- burning of incense, sacrificing, eating of sacrificial meals, praying, prostitution, child sacrifice (cf. bama in the valley, Je7:31). The first use in Lev 26:30 is God's declaration to Israel "I will destroy your high places." In Dt 32:13 speaking of Jacob (Israel) He declared "He made him ride on the high places of the earth," so clearly some uses of bamah are not negative. In a similar use God says Israel "you will tread upon their (Israel's enemies') high places." Another positive use is Psalm 18:33 where David declared Jehovah "makes my feet like hinds' feet, And sets me upon my high places." (cp Hab 3:19 - NET Note = David "compares his agility in battle to the ability of a deer to negotiate rugged, high terrain without falling or being injured.", cp Isa 58:14) We see he effect of Israel's high places on Jehovah in Ps 78:58 = "For they provoked Him with their high places and aroused His jealousy with their graven images." Henry
1 Samuel 9
Spurgeon - There was a very becoming modesty about him, he was really surprised and startled that such an honour should be in store for him; he had many natural virtues; but, alas! the grace of God was not upon him. 1 Samuel 9:22 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. BGT 1 Samuel 9:22 καὶ ἔλαβεν Σαμουηλ τὸν Σαουλ καὶ τὸ παιδάριον αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰσήγαγεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ κατάλυμα καὶ ἔθετο αὐτοῖς τόπον ἐν πρώτοις τῶν κεκλημένων ὡσεὶ ἑβδομήκοντα ἀνδρῶν KJV 1 Samuel 9:22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons. NET 1 Samuel 9:22 Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the room and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited. There were about thirty people present. CSB 1 Samuel 9:22 Samuel took Saul and his attendant, brought them to the banquet hall, and gave them a place at the head of the 30 or so men who had been invited. ESV 1 Samuel 9:22 Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons. NIV 1 Samuel 9:22 Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited--about thirty in number. NLT 1 Samuel 9:22 Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and placed them at the head of the table, honoring them above the thirty special guests. NRS 1 Samuel 9:22 Then Samuel took Saul and his servant-boy and brought them into the hall, and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, of whom there were about thirty. YLT 1 Samuel 9:22 And Samuel taketh Saul, and his young man, and bringeth them in to the chamber, and giveth to them a place at the head of those called; and they are about thirty men. at the head Ge 43:32 Lu 14:10 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Luke 14:10 “But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. SAUL HONORED IN SEATING Then - Then marks progression in the narrative. 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 - In other words Saul and servant were honored above the other 30 guests. Saul willingly submitted to Samuel's directions, without any objections. 1 Samuel 9:23 Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, 'Set it aside.'" BGT 1 Samuel 9:23 καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ τῷ μαγείρῳ δός μοι τὴν μερίδα ἣν ἔδωκά σοι ἣν εἶπά σοι θεῖναι αὐτὴν παρὰ σοί KJV 1 Samuel 9:23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee. NET 1 Samuel 9:23 Samuel said to the cook, "Give me the portion of meat that I gave to you– the one I asked you to keep with you." CSB 1 Samuel 9:23 Then Samuel said to the cook, "Get the portion of meat that I gave you and told you to set aside." ESV 1 Samuel 9:23 And Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, 'Put it aside.'" NIV 1 Samuel 9:23 Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside." NLT 1 Samuel 9:23 Samuel then instructed the cook to bring Saul the finest cut of meat, the piece that had been set aside for the guest of honor. NRS 1 Samuel 9:23 And Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion I gave you, the one I asked you to put aside." YLT 1 Samuel 9:23 And Samuel saith to the cook, 'Give the portion which I gave to thee, of which I said unto thee, 'Set it by thee?' Bring: 1Sa 1:5 Ge 43:34 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL SERVED SUPERIOR STEAK Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, 'Set it aside - NLT paraphrases it "Samuel then instructed the cook to bring Saul the finest cut of meat, the piece that had been set aside for the guest of honor." Bergen writes "The site of the banquet was a rectangular room (Hrb. liškâ) that opened into a courtyard, apparently part of a sanctuary associated with the high place in Ramah." (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) 1 Samuel 9:24 Then the cook took 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. BGT 1 Samuel 9:24 καὶ ὕψωσεν ὁ μάγειρος τὴν κωλέαν καὶ παρέθηκεν αὐτὴν ἐνώπιον Σαουλ καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ τῷ Σαουλ ἰδοὺ ὑπόλειμμα παράθες αὐτὸ ἐνώπιόν σου καὶ φάγε ὅτι εἰς μαρτύριον τέθειταί σοι παρὰ τοὺς ἄλλους ἀπόκνιζε καὶ ἔφαγεν Σαουλ μετὰ Σαμουηλ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ KJV 1 Samuel 9:24 And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. NET 1 Samuel 9:24 So the cook picked up the leg and brought it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "What was kept is now set before you! Eat, for it has been kept for you for this meeting time, from the time I said, 'I have invited the people.'" So Saul ate with Samuel that day. CSB 1 Samuel 9:24 The cook picked up the thigh and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, "Notice that the reserved piece is set before you. Eat it because it was saved for you for this solemn event at the time I said, 'I've invited the people.'" So Saul ate with Samuel that day. ESV 1 Samuel 9:24 So the cook took up the leg and what was on it and set them before Saul. And Samuel said, "See, what was kept is set before you. Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests." So Saul ate with Samuel that day. NIV 1 Samuel 9:24 So the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion, from the time I said, 'I have invited guests.' " And Saul dined with Samuel that day. NLT 1 Samuel 9:24 So the cook brought in the meat and placed it before Saul. "Go ahead and eat it," Samuel said. "I was saving it for you even before I invited these others!" So Saul ate with Samuel that day. NRS 1 Samuel 9:24 The cook took up the thigh and what went with it and set them before Saul. Samuel said, "See, what was kept is set before you. Eat; for it is set before you at the appointed time, so that you might eat with the guests." So Saul ate with Samuel that day. YLT 1 Samuel 9:24 (and the cook lifteth up the leg, and that which is on it, and setteth before Saul), and he saith, 'Lo, that which is left; set it before thee -- eat, for to this appointed season it is kept for thee, saying, The people I have called;' and Saul eateth with Samuel on that day. the leg: Lev 7:32,33 Eze 24:4 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL EATS WITH SAMUEL Then the cook took up the leg (shoulder) with what was on it and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Here is what has been reserved! - Samuel had pre-prepared for this meal. The Hebrew has “leg” and could refer to either the front or the back legs. Because Saul was being honored in a significant way, the hindquarters are most probable. In accordance with custom his portion would have been the thigh. Cyril
1 Samuel 9
Spurgeon - The right shoulder of the animal that was offered in sacrifice was part of the priest’s portion, and this shoulder Samuel now ordered the cook to set before Saul as he sat in the place of honour. 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. 1 Samuel 9:25 When they came down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof. BGT 1 Samuel 9:25 καὶ κατέβη ἐκ τῆς Βαμα ἐν τῇ πόλει καὶ διέστρωσαν τῷ Σαουλ ἐπὶ τῷ δώματι KJV 1 Samuel 9:25 And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house. NET 1 Samuel 9:25 When they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof. CSB 1 Samuel 9:25 Afterward, they went down from the high place to the city, and Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof. ESV 1 Samuel 9:25 And when they came down from the high place into the city, a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep. NIV 1 Samuel 9:25 After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house. NLT 1 Samuel 9:25 When they came down from the place of worship and returned to town, Samuel took Saul up to the roof of the house and prepared a bed for him there. NRS 1 Samuel 9:25 When they came down from the shrine into the town, a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep. YLT 1 Samuel 9:25 And they come down from the high place to the city, and he speaketh with Saul on the roof. when: 1Sa 9:13 roof: De 22:8 2Sa 11:2 Ne 8:16 Jer 19:13 Mt 10:27 Ac 10:9 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAMUEL & SAUL HAVE "HIGH LEVEL" DISCUSSION By "high level" discussion of course I am punning their conversation on the rooftop! When they came down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof - ESV = "a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep." Ancient roofs were flat and were often slept on as they were cooler. Is this Samuel's own home? We cannot be certain. Clearly Saul accepted the invitation to spend the night without any objection. William Blaikie wrote of their rooftop conversation - Samuel could not but communicate to Saul the treasured thoughts of his lifetime regarding the way to govern Israel. He must have recalled to him God’s purpose regarding His people, beginning with the call of Abraham, dwelling on the deliverance from Egypt, and touching on the history of several judges, and the lessons to be learned from each. We may fancy the fervour with which he would urge on Saul, that the one thing most essential for the prosperity of the nation … was loyalty by the people to their heavenly King, and the faithful obedience to His law and covenant. (1 Samuel 9 Commentary) Spurgeon - For quietness and seclusion, Samuel took the young man upstairs to the flat roof of the house, and they walked to and fro, in the cool of the evening, talking about the high destiny to which Saul was called, and Samuel doubtless giving him valuable instructions concerning his new and important duties. ISBE on roof - Roof (gag; stege).--These were flat. Compare "The beams of our house are cedars, and our rafters are firs" (Song 1:17). To get over the difficulty of the larger spans, a common practice was to introduce a main beam (qurah) carried on the walls and strengthened by one or more intermediate posts let into stone sockets laid on the floor. Smaller timbers as joists ("rafters," rahiT) were spaced out and covered in turn with brushwood; the final covering, being of mud mixed with chopped straw, was beaten and rolled. A tiny stone roller is found on every modern native roof, and is used to roll the mud into greater solidity every year on the advent of the first rains. Similar rollers have been found among the ancient remains throughout the country; see Excavations of Gezer, I, 190; PEFS, Warren's letters, 46. "They let him down through the tiles (keramos) with his couch into the midst before Jesus" (Lk 5:19) refers to the breaking through of a roof similar to this. The roof ("housetop," gagh; doma) was an important part of every house and was subjected to many uses. It was used for worship (2 Ki 23:12; Jer 19:13; 32:29; Zeph 1:5; Acts 10:9). Absalom spread his tent on the "top of the house" (2 Sam 16:22). In the Feast of the Tabernacles temporary booths (cukkah) were erected on the housetops. The people, as is their habit today, gathered together on the roof as a common meeting-place on high days and holidays (Jdg 16:27). The wild wranglings which can be heard in any modern native village, resulting in vile accusations and exposure of family secrets hurled from the housetops of the conflicting parties, illustrate the passage, "And what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops" (Lk 12:3). 1 Samuel 9:26 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. BGT 1 Samuel 9:26 καὶ ἐκοιμήθη καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἀνέβαινεν ὁ ὄρθρος καὶ ἐκάλεσεν Σαμουηλ τὸν Σαουλ ἐπὶ τῷ δώματι λέγων ἀνάστα καὶ ἐξαποστελῶ σε καὶ ἀνέστη Σαουλ καὶ ἐξῆλθεν αὐτὸς καὶ Σαμουηλ ἕως ἔξω KJV 1 Samuel 9:26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. NET 1 Samuel 9:26 They got up at dawn and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, "Get up, so I can send you on your way." So Saul got up and the two of them– he and Samuel– went outside. CSB 1 Samuel 9:26 They got up early, and just before dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the roof, "Get up, and I'll send you on your way!" Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went outside. ESV 1 Samuel 9:26 Then at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, "Up, that I may send you on your way." So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street. NIV 1 Samuel 9:26 They rose about daybreak and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, "Get ready, and I will send you on your way." When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together. NLT 1 Samuel 9:26 At daybreak the next morning, Samuel called to Saul, "Get up! It's time you were on your way." So Saul got ready, and he and Samuel left the house together. NRS 1 Samuel 9:26 Then at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul upon the roof, "Get up, so that I may send you on your way." Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went out into the street. YLT 1 Samuel 9:26 And they rise early, and it cometh to pass, at the ascending of the dawn, that Samuel calleth unto Saul, on the roof, saying, 'Rise, and I send thee away;' and Saul riseth, and they go out, both of them -- he and Samuel, without. Up: Ge 19:14 44:4 Jos 7:13 Jdg 19:28 1 Samuel 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL'S WAKE UP CALL 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 - Samuel is telling Saul "rise and shine"! Cyril