1 Samuel 9:26

26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

1 Samuel 9:26 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 9:26

And they arose early
Neither of them being able to sleep, as Abarbinel supposes; not Samuel for thinking what he was to do the next morning, anoint Saul king over Israel; nor Saul for what Samuel had hinted to him about the desire of all Israel being upon him, and for the honour done him at the feast, and because of the conversation they had together afterwards:

and it came to pass about the spring of the day;
or the "ascents of the morning" F24, when day was about to break, before the sun was up:

that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house;
where they had conversed together the evening before:

saying, up, that I may send thee away;
meaning not rise from his bed, for he was risen; but that he would prepare to set out on his journey, that Samuel might take his leave of him for the present, when he had accompanied him some part of his way, as he intended; and he was the more urgent upon him, because there was something to be done before people were stirring:

and Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad;
out of Samuel's house, without doors, into the street.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 (rxvh twlek) "circa ascendere auroram", Montanus; "quum ascenderet aurora", Junius & Tremellius.

1 Samuel 9:26 In-Context

24 And the cook took up the thigh, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And [Samuel] said, Behold, that which hath been reserved! set it before thee and eat; because unto the appointed time hath it been kept for thee, for I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
25 And when they were come down from the high place into the city, he communed with Saul upon the housetop.
26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
27 As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand thou still first, that I may cause thee to hear the word of God.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.