1 Samuel 9:12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:11-17

Here, I. Saul, by an ordinary enquiry, is directed to Samuel, 1 Sam. 9:11-14. Gibeah of Saul was not twenty miles from Ramah where Samuel dwelt, and was near to Mizpeh where he often judged Israel, and yet, it seems, Saul had lived so very privately, and had taken so little notice of public affairs, that he had never seen Samuel, for when he met him (1 Sam. 9:18) he did not know him, so that there was no cause to suspect any secret compact or collusion between them in this matter. I knew him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:12

And they answered them, and said, he is ,.... That is, he is in the city, at home, and to be spoken with: behold, he is before you ; his house is straight before you as you go along, you cannot miss of it. Some Jewish writers say F6 Midrash Schemuel & Pesikta apud Abarbinel in loc. they gave a token to know it by, that there was a cloud at the door, and when they saw that, they might know it was the seer's house: haste now, for he came today to the city ; from the suburbs... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:12

He came to - day to the city - Though Samuel lived chiefly in Ramah, yet he had a dwelling in the country, at a place called Naioth, where it is probable there was a school of the prophets. See 1 Samuel 19:18-24 . A sacrifice of the people - A great feast. The animals used were first sacrificed to the Lord; that is, their blood was poured out before him; and then all the people fed on the flesh. By high place probably Samuel's altar is alone meant; which no doubt... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:11-12

As they went up. Ramah was situated on a double hill, whence its name Ramathaim ( 1 Samuel 1:1 ). As, then, they go up the ascent— so the Hebrew, literally—they meet maidens on the way to the well, and ask them, Is the seer— the roeh — here? They answer, Yes; behold, he is before you . I.e. they are to go straightforward, and farther on in the town they will find him. He came today to the city. As Saul's servant knew that this city was Samuel's abode, the words must mean that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:11-17

Man's accidents God's ordinations. The facts are— 1 . On entering the city Saul inquires for the seer, and is informed that he is present for a special religious service. 2 . Following the directions given, he meets Samuel ascending to the high place. 3 . Samuel is already instructed by God to expect during the day the man whom he is to anoint as king. 4 . On seeing Saul, an intimation is given from God that he is the chosen man. In some respects this narrative of events... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 9:12-13

1 Samuel 9:12-13. He came to-day to the city He had been travelling abroad, and was now returned to his own house in Ramah. High place Upon the hill mentioned 1 Samuel 9:11, and near the altar which Samuel built for this use. Ye shall straightway find him At home and at leisure. Before he go up to eat The relics of the sacrifices. Because he doth bless the sacrifice This was a peace-offering or a thank-offering, and the blessing of it, no doubt, consisted both of thanksgiving to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1-27

Samuel’s prediction about Saul (9:1-10:16)Saul, who became Israel’s first king, originally had no desire for political power and little interest in the spiritual ministry of Samuel. As the son of a wealthy landowner, he was more concerned about the loss of his father’s donkeys, and the worry he might cause his father by being away so long in search of them (9:1-5). This concern led him to seek help from Samuel. He thought that Samuel, with his ability to see visions and make predictions, could... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 9:12

of = by. Genitive of Instrument. See App-17 . the high place . In Numbers 21:19 = Bamoth-Baal. Shiloh was now forsaken. No "place" within the meaning of Deuteronomy 12:0 . Compare 1 Samuel 7:10 , 1 Samuel 7:17 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 9:12

1 Samuel 9:12. In the high place— Though the word במה bamah, says Mr. Locke, properly signifies a high place, or place of sacrifice; yet it is here rendered by the Targum, as it is often elsewhere, domus accubitus, an house of feasting, because feasting and sacrifice were generally concomitants of one another. See Cudworth on the Sacrament. Mr. Locke goes on to observe, that the phrase in the next verse, he doth bless the sacrifice, alludes to the custom among the Hebrews of giving thanks... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 9:1-16

2. The anointing of Saul 9:1-10:16In chapters 9-11 the writer painted Saul as the ideal man to serve as king from the human viewpoint. This pericope (1 Samuel 9:1 to 1 Samuel 10:16) sets forth his personal conduct. [Note: See the series of three articles on Saul by W. Lee Humphries listed in the bibliography of these notes. Especially helpful is, "The Tragedy of King Saul: A Study of the Structure of 1 Samuel 9-31."] read more