1 Samuel 9:16-17

Listen to 1 Samuel 9:16-17
16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, 1and you shall anoint him to be prince[a] over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. 2For I have seen[b] my people, because their cry has come to me. ”
17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, 3“Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people. ”

1 Samuel 9:16-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 9

This chapter gives an account of Saul, the person the Lord had appointed to be king of Israel; it relates his descent, and describes his person, 1Sa 9:1,2 and how seeking his father's asses, which were lost, he providentially came to the place where Samuel dwelt, 1Sa 9:3-5 and being advised by his servant, and approving of his advice, he concluded to go to him, and inquire the way he should go, 1Sa 9:6-10 and being directed by some young maidens, they found him presently in the street going to a feast, 1Sa 9:11-14 and Samuel having some previous notice from the Lord of such a person's coming to him that day, when he met him invited him to dine with him, and obliged him to stay with him that day, 1Sa 9:15-19 satisfied him about his asses, and gave him a hint of the grandeur he was to be raised to, to which Saul made a modest reply, 1Sa 9:20,21 and Samuel treated him at the feast in a very respectable manner, 1Sa 9:22-24 and privately communed with him of things preparatory to what he was about to make known unto him, 1Sa 9:25-27.

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Cross References 3

  • 1. 9:16 ch. 10:1
  • 2. 9:16 Ex. 2:25; 3:7, 9
  • 3. 9:17 [ch. 16:12]

Footnotes 2

  • [a] 9:16 Or 'leader'
  • [b] 9:16 Septuagint adds 'the affliction of'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025