1 Samuel 9:23

23 And Samuel said unto the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, `Set it by thee.'"

1 Samuel 9:23 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 9:23

And Samuel said unto the cook
That dressed and prepared the food for the entertainment of the guests:

bring the portion which I gave thee;
to dress; for part of the provisions of the feast was Samuel's, and the other part the people's that brought the peace offerings:

of which I said unto thee, set it by thee;
do not bring it in with the rest, but keep it in the kitchen till called for.

1 Samuel 9:23 In-Context

21 And Saul answered and said, "Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then speakest thou so to me?"

22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and made them sit in the chiefest place among those who were bidden, who were about thirty persons.

23 And Samuel said unto the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, `Set it by thee.'"

24 And the cook took up the shoulder and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Behold that which is left! Set it before thee and eat; for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, `I have invited the people.'" So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

25 And when they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.