1 Samuel 9:18

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 9:18

Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate ,.... Either at the door of his own house, just as he was coming out of it, or within the gate of the city as Saul entered that, Samuel came to it, in order to go through it to the high place, which it is probable was without the city; wherefore it is very properly said that Samuel came out to meet them, 1 Samuel 9:14 . and said, tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is ; one knows not which to wonder at most, the simplicity and humility... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:18

In the gate. The same preposition is used here as that translated "into the city" in 1 Samuel 9:14 . The contradiction which many commentators suppose that they find between the two verses arises from their not remembering that prepositions constantly lose their original meaning. Literally the preposition means in the middle, but its common meaning is simply within. So with us immediately has lost all reference to the middle, though derived from that word, and signifies directly, at... 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

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 9:18

in the gate . Hebrew "in the midst of the gate": i.e. the open place near the gate where judgment was given. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:18

SAUL MEETS SAMUEL WHO WELCOMES HIM"Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate, and said, "Tell me where is the house of the seer"? Samuel answered Saul, "I am the seer; go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. As for your asses that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and all your... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 9:18

18-20. Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is—Satisfying the stranger's inquiry, Samuel invited him to the feast, as well as to sojourn till the morrow; and, in order to reconcile him to the delay, he assured him that the strayed asses had been recovered. 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

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