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Text -- 1 Samuel 9:4-27 (NET)
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Strongs On/Off
Context
9:4 So Saul crossed through the hill country of Ephraim , passing through the land of Shalisha , but they did not find them. So they crossed through the land of Shaalim , but they were not there. Then he crossed through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them.
9:5 When they came to the land of Zuph , Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come on , let’s head back before my father quits worrying about the donkeys and becomes anxious about us!”
9:6 But the servant said to him, “Look , there is a man of God in this town . He is highly respected . Everything that he says really happens . Now let’s go there . Perhaps he will tell us where we should go from here .”
9:7 So Saul said to his servant , “All right , we can go . But what can we bring the man , since the food in our bags is used up ? We have no gift to take to the man of God . What do we have ?”
9:8 The servant went on to answer Saul , “Look , I happen to have in my hand a quarter shekel of silver . I will give it to the man of God and he will tell us where we should go .”
9:9 (Now it used to be in Israel that whenever someone went to inquire of God he would say, “Come on , let’s go to the seer .” For today’s prophet used to be called a seer .)
9:10 So Saul said to his servant , “That’s a good idea ! Come on . Let’s go .” So they went to the town where the man of God was.
9:11 As they were going up the ascent to the town , they met some girls coming out to draw water . They said to them, “Is this where the seer is?”
9:12 They replied , “Yes , straight ahead ! But hurry now , for he came to the town today , and the people are making a sacrifice at the high place .
9:13 When you enter the town , you can find him before he goes up to the high place to eat . The people won’t eat until he arrives , for he must bless the sacrifice . Once that happens, those who have been invited will eat . Now go on up , for this is the time when you can find him!”
9:14 So they went up to the town . As they were heading for the middle of the town , Samuel was coming in their direction to go up to the high place .
9:15 Now the day before Saul arrived , the Lord had told Samuel :
9:16 “At this time tomorrow I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin . You must consecrate him as a leader over my people Israel . He will save my people from the hand of the Philistines . For I have looked with favor on my people . Their cry has reached me!”
9:17 When Samuel saw Saul , the Lord said , “Here is the man that I told you about! He will rule over my people .”
9:18 As Saul approached Samuel in the middle of the gate , he said , “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.”
9:19 Samuel replied to Saul , “I am the seer ! Go up in front of me to the high place ! Today you will eat with me and in the morning I will send you away . I will tell you everything that you are thinking .
9:20 Don’t be concerned about the donkeys that you lost three days ago, for they have been found . Whom does all Israel desire ? Is it not you, and all your father’s family ?”
9:21 Saul replied , “Am I not a Benjaminite , from the smallest of Israel’s tribes , and is not my family clan the smallest of all the tribes of Benjamin ? Why do you speak to me in this way ?”
9:22 Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the room and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited . There were about thirty people present.
9:23 Samuel said to the cook , “Give me the portion of meat that I gave to you– the one I asked you to keep with you.”
9:24 So the cook picked up the leg and brought it and set it in front of Saul . Samuel said , “What was kept is now set before you! Eat , for it has been kept for you for this meeting time, from the time I said , ‘I have invited the people .’” So Saul ate with Samuel that day .
9:25 When they came down from the high place to the town , Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof .
9:26 They got up at dawn and Samuel called to Saul on the roof , “Get up , so I can send you on your way.” So Saul got up and the two of them – he and Samuel – went outside .
9:27 While they were going down to the edge of town , Samuel said to Saul , “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.” So he did . Samuel then said, “You remain here awhile , so I can inform you of God’s message .”
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics
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Names, People and Places:
Dictionary Themes and Topics:
Saul |
Samuel |
Herdsman |
Stray |
HIGH PLACE |
Prophets |
ISRAEL, HISTORY OF, 2 |
INTERCESSION |
SLAVE; SLAVERY |
House |
SEER |
Government |
PALESTINE, 2 |
Anointing |
Zuph |
MEALS |
Captain |
SACRIFICE, IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, 2 |
Parlor |
Zuph, Land of |
more
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expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
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NET Notes: 1Sa 9:13 The MT has “him” (אֹתוֹ, ’oto) here, in addition to the “him” at the end of the verse. The...
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NET Notes: 1Sa 9:14 Heb “to meet them.” This may indicate purpose on Samuel’s part. The next sentence indicates that the meeting was by design, not just...
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NET Notes: 1Sa 9:24 Heb “he” (also in v. 25); the referent (Samuel) has been specified in both places in the translation for clarity.
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