1 Samuel 9:17-27

17 When Shemu'el saw Sha'ul, the LORD said to him, Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! this same shall have authority over my people.

18 Then Sha'ul drew near to Shemu'el in the gate, and said, Tell me, Please, where the seer's house is.

19 Shemu'el answered Sha'ul, and said, I am the seer; go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today: and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart.

20 As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don't set your mind on them; for they are found. For whom is all that is desirable in Yisra'el? Is it not for you, and for all your father's house?

21 Sha'ul answered, Am I not a Binyamini, of the smallest of the tribes of Yisra'el? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Binyamin? why then speak you to me after this manner?

22 Shemu'el took Sha'ul and his servant, and brought them into the guest-chamber, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons.

23 Shemu'el said to the cook, Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, Set it by you.

24 The cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Sha'ul. [Shemu'el] said, Behold, that which has been reserved! set it before you and eat; because to the appointed time has it been kept for you, for I said, I have invited the people. So Sha'ul ate with Shemu'el that day.

25 When they were come down from the high place into the city, he talked with Sha'ul on the housetop.

26 They arose early: and it happened about the spring of the day, that Shemu'el called to Sha'ul on the housetop, saying, Up, that I may send you away. Sha'ul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Shemu'el, abroad.

27 As they were going down at the end of the city, Shemu'el said to Sha'ul, Bid the servant pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand you still first, that I may cause you to hear the word of God.

1 Samuel 9:17-27 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.