1 Samuel 9:5 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:3-10

Here is, I. A great man rising from small beginnings. It does not appear that Saul had any preferment at all, or was in any post of honour or trust, till he was chosen king of Israel. Most that are advanced rise gradually, but Saul, from the level with his neighbours, stepped at once into the throne, according to that of Hannah, He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, to set them among princes, 1 Sam. 2:8. Saul, it should seem, though he was himself married and had children grown up, yet lived... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:5

And when they were come to the land of Zuph ,.... In which was Ramathaimzophim, the native place of Samuel, 1 Samuel 1:1 and so the Targum here,"the land in which was the prophet" Saul said to the servant that was with him, come, and let us return ; home, despairing of finding the asses after so long a search in divers places: lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us ; fearing some evil should have befallen his son and his servant, in comparison of whom,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:5

Were come to the land of Zuph - Calmet supposes that Saul and his servant went from Gibeah to Shalisha, in the tribe of Dan; from thence to Shalim, near to Jerusalem; and thence, traversing the tribe of Benjamin, they purposed to return to Gibeah; but passing through the land of Zuph, in which Ramatha, the country of Samuel, was situated, they determined to call on this prophet to gain some directions from him; the whole of this circuit he supposes to have amounted to no more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1-10

Divine consideration. The facts are— 1 . Saul the son of Kish, a wealthy Benjamite, and remarkable for stature and goodliness, seeks his father's asses. 2 . Not finding them, he fears lest his father should be anxious about his own safety, and suggests a return home. 3 . His servant advises a recourse to a distinguished man of God then in those parts. 4 . Obtaining a small present, Saul resolves to consult the man of God concerning the lost asses. A great crisis has come in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:5

The land of Zuph. See on 1 Samuel 1:1 . This Levite ancestor of Samuel had probably occupied and colonised this district after the disasters recorded in the last chapters of the Book of Judges. Lest my father, etc. A mark of good feeling on Saul's part, and a proof of the affectionate terms on which Kish and his family lived. 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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:5

SAUL DECIDES TO CONSULT THE MAN OF GOD"When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, let us go back, lest my father cease to care about the asses and become anxious about us." But he said to him, "Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man that is held in honor; all that he says comes true. Let us go there; perhaps he can tell us about the journey on which we have set out." Then Saul said to his servant, "But if we go, what can we bring... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 9:5

1 Samuel 9:5. When they were come to the land of Zuph— See chap. 1 Samuel 1:1. Zuph was a territory in the tribe of Ephraim, where some of Samuel's ancestors had lived; and Ramah, where Samuel now dwelt, must have been in it, as we collect from the new verse. 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 9:3-14

Saul’s personal traits 9:3-14Saul’s concern for his father’s peace of mind was commendable. It shows a sensitivity that would have been an asset in a king (1 Samuel 9:5). Likewise his desire to give Samuel a present for his help was praiseworthy (1 Samuel 9:7; cf. 1 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 8:8-9). Saul had some appreciation for social propriety. He was also humble enough to ask directions from a woman (1 Samuel 9:11-14). Years later, at the end of the story of Saul’s reign, the king asked... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:3-10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:5

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1-27

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:5

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 9:5

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

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 9:3-14

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