Shmuel Alef 9:11

11 And as they went up the hill to the town, they found ne’arot (girls) going out to draw mayim, and said unto them, Is the ro’eh here?

Shmuel Alef 9:11 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 9:11

And as they went up the hill to the city
For the city was built upon an hill, from whence it had the name of Ramah, which signifies high and lifted up:

they found young maidens going out to draw water:
going out of the city, to a fountain which was at the bottom of the hill; and this was the usual business of maidens in those countries to fetch water for the service of the family, (See Gill on Genesis 24:11), (See Gill on Genesis 24:15), (See Gill on Genesis 24:16). R. Akiba ^F5 makes this observation, that whenever a man meets maidens coming out of a city before he goes into it, it is a token of prosperity to him; and instances in the cases of Abraham's servant, of Jacob, and of Moses, and here of Saul, who was informed of a kingdom, and anointed for it, see ( Genesis 24:14 Genesis 24:21 ) ( Genesis 29:10 Genesis 29:11 ) ( Exodus 2:16 ) ,

and said unto them, is the seer here?
meaning, is he in the city? or is he at home? or is he in the country?

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 In Pirke Eliezer, c. 36. fol. 39. 1. 2.

Shmuel Alef 9:11 In-Context

9 Beforetime in Yisroel, when an ish went to inquire of Elohim, thus he spoke, Come, and let us go to the ro’eh (seer): for he that is now called a navi was beforetime called a ro’eh (seer).

10 Then said Sha’ul to his na’ar, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the town where the Ish HaElohim was.

11 And as they went up the hill to the town, they found ne’arot (girls) going out to draw mayim, and said unto them, Is the ro’eh here?

12 And they answered them, and said, He is; hinei, he is ahead of you; make haste now, for he came today to the town; for there is a zevach (sacrifice) for HaAm today in the bamah (high place);

13 As soon as ye be come into the town, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat; for HaAm will not eat until he come, because hu yevarech hazevach (he doth bless the sacrifice); and afterwards hakeru’im (the ones being invited) eat. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.