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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:18-27

Providence having at length brought Samuel and Saul together, we have here an account of what passed between them in the gate, at the feast, and in private. I. In the gate of the city; passing through that, Saul found him (1 Sam. 9:18), and, little thinking that he was Samuel himself, asked him the way to Samuel's house: Tell me where the seer's house is; for there he expected to find him. See how mean a figure Samuel made, though so great a man: he took not any state, had no attendants, no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:19

And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer ,.... For he supposed, by inquiring for his house, that his business was with him; wherefore this he said, not as boasting of his character and office, or in the pride and vanity of his mind, but merely for information sake: go up before me unto the high place ; instead of returning home with him, he invited him to go to the place of feasting, as the Targum, whither he was going to partake of the entertainment there; and he bids him go... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:19

I am the seer - This declaration would prepare Saul for the communications afterwards made. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:18-24

Shadows of coming events. The facts are— 1 . Saul, on accosting Samuel, is invited to stay with him, is assured of the safety of the asses, and is caused to know that great honour is in store for him. 2 . Saul, taken by surprise, desires to have further explanations of the language used. 3 . Samuel entertains Saul with all the honours due to a distinguished guest. The position of Samuel was one of relative advantage, for Saul was ignorant of the Divine intent, while he knew the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:19-20

Go up before me. Addressed in the singular to Saul, to whom, as the future king, Samuel pays every mark of honour. The next words, Ye shall eat, include Soul's servant. I will tell thee all, etc. Intended not merely to set Soul's mind at rest, but also to prepare him for the great news he was to hear. So, too, the information that the asses were found, given to him before he had even hinted at the object of his visit, would convince him of the reality of Samuel's prophetic powers. On... 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 9:15-25

Saul’s introduction to Samuel 9:15-25Even though God had broken the Philistines’ domination at the Battle of Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:10-11), they still threatened Israel occasionally and did so until David finally subdued them (1 Samuel 9:16).". . . after the victory of Mizpeh [sic], the Philistines no longer totally controlled Israel and . . . did not again make a full-scale invasion." [Note: G. Coleman Luck, "The First Meeting of Saul and Samuel," Bibliotheca Sacra 124:495 (July-September... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:1-27

Saul and Samuel meetFor the picture of Samuel in this c, as a person of local rather than national importance, cp. Intro. § 6. On early prophecy, see Intro. § 4.1 Samuel 9:1 to 1 Samuel 10:16 comes from a different source from 1 Samuel 8 : see intro. there. The author of this section gives no hint that the choice of a king was displeasing to God. But we meet with the views of 1 Samuel 8 again when we come to 1 Samuel 10:17.1. Power] RV ’valour.’ 4, 5. The districts of Shalisha, Shalim, and Zuph... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 9:19

(19) Go up before me unto the high place.—The desiring the young stranger to precede him to the public place of sacrifice was a sign of distinguished honour from one of Samuel’s rank to a young unknown wayfarer like Saul. These words of courteous respect were addressed to Saul alone: “Go thou up before me.” The prophet-judge then speaks to the two, Saul and his servant: “ye shall eat.” The verb here is in the plural, and invites both to the sacrificial banquet; and then again Samuel confines... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Samuel 9:1-27

The Choice Young Man 1 Samuel 9:0 This was Saul the son of Kish. This description was given of the Benjamite early in life, and as a young man he was in some respects at least most exemplary. It is a mistake to think of Saul as throughout an objectionable and wicked character. His later life was most unsatisfactory; but as we have him here, the son of Kish is not without many admirable traits. I. The first thing to notice about young Saul is his fine physique. As he is introduced to us, the... read more

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