1 Samuel 9:12-13

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:13

As soon as ye come into the city, ye shall straightway find him ,.... By which it seems that the house of Samuel was at that end of it at which they entered; and with which agrees what is observed in the preceding verse, that "he was before them", his house was in sight of them: before he go up to the high place to eat ; intimating they would, if they made haste, come up to him before he got thither to sit down and eat with the people; for if they did not, they would not be able to see... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:13

He doth bless the sacrifice - He alone can perform the religious rites which are used on this occasion. Afterwards they eat that be bidden - Among the Arabs, often a large feast is made of sacrificed camels, etc., and then the people of the vicinity are invited to come and partake of the sacrifice. This is the custom to which allusion is made here. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:13

As soon as … straightway. This is too forcible a rendering of the Hebrew particles, and makes the talk of these water-carriers even more garrulous than it is in the original. The latter word should be omitted, as they simply say that on entering the city Saul and his servant would easily find Samuel; for he would not go up to the feast till all was ready, nor would the people begin till he had arrived, because it was his office to bless the sacrificial banquet. The pious custom of asking a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 9:13

Before he go up - By this phrase we see that the high place was in the highest part of the city. Like the “house of the god Berith” Judges 9:46, it was probably the citadel of Ramah. There was connected with the altar a room large enough for thirty people to dine in 1 Samuel 9:22. 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

Group of Brands