1 Samuel 9:1, 1 Samuel 9:15-17, 1 Samuel 9:2 NKJV

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:1-27

The word of God now transfers out attention to a man of Benjamin whose genealogy is given us for four generations, and he a mighty man of power. From men's point of view everything was favorable as regards the background of Saul, the son of Kish. More than this, he himself was a physically striking young man, outstanding above everyone else, head and shoulders taller than the average person. The honor of being from Benjamin too, "the son of my right hand," was a matter in which man in the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1-27

SEEKING ASSES AND FINDING A KINGDOM The drama in this chapter and the next disposes itself into five scenes: We have first the country lad seeking his father’s asses (1 Samuel 9:3-5 ). Like the cattle on our western plains they were allowed to roam at will during the grazing season and were brought home at its close. Secondly, there is the meeting with the prophet (1 Samuel 9:6-21 ). That he should have been consulted on so trifling a matter, and that it should have been thought proper to... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Samuel 9:1-27

Saul 1Sa 9:3 THE threads of daily life often appear to be either loose and unrelated or hopelessly entangled. At times we seem to have nothing to do with each other. We go on our separate ways. It is only now and then that we find lines touch each other, and form figures, and see that under the apparent simplicity of daily affairs there are being wrought out strange plots, romances which no human dreamer had ever conceived, and combinations which give life new interest and enhanced... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1

CONTENTS In this Chapter the sacred historian first brings us acquainted with Saul, whom God had previously determined to appoint king of Israel. By an overruling providence, Saul, who was in pursuit of his father's asses which were lost, is led to Samuel. And Samuel, privately admonished of God, gives Saul the first intimation of the Lord's design concerning him. read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1-2

(1) ¶ Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. (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. The pedigree of Saul is first set down, and afterwards the portrait of his person is penciled out. It is... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1

Abiel, who is also called Ner, 1 Paralipomenon viii. 33. (Cajetan) --- Strong. Hebrew, "a mighty man of power," either of body, or of riches. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:1-10

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;... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Samuel 9:1-10

Saul Seeks the Lost Asses v. 1. Now, there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, literally, "a son of a man of Jemini," a mighty man of power, literally, "a man of substance," a man living in comfortable circumstances. We have here, apparently, a case of an abbreviated chronological table, in which less important members are sometimes omitted. Cf 1 Chronicles 8:29-Micah :; 1 Chronicles 9:35-Malachi... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 1 Samuel 9:1-27

II. Samuel meets Saul and Learns that he is Destined by God to be King over Israel1 Samuel 9:1-271Now [And] there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah,1 [ins. the son of2] a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.3 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a choice young man and a goodly [young and goodly4]; 2and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he; from the shoulders and upward he was... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1-14

Saul Is Led to Find Samuel 1 Samuel 9:1-14 As a king was demanded by the people, one was selected to suit their taste-“a choice young man, and a goodly!” But the king after God’s own heart was selected for other qualities, 1 Samuel 16:7 . Saul’s character lacked important elements. His ignorance about Samuel was surprising; even his servant knew better. This did not promise well for a successful reign, Daniel 11:32 b . But how should Saul and Samuel be brought together? A succession of... read more