Saul is impressive; he is sent by the Lord to Samuel |
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Saul is impressive; he is sent by the Lord to Samuel |
| 1 ¶
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel,
the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite,
a mighty man of power.
.2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. |
1 -
Mighty
man of power Literally, "a strong man. The name, Kish, is from
qosh,
"to set a snare" is2921.
2 - Saul From sha'ul and sha'al meaning "to ask for." 2 - Goodly No doubt really perceived as "king" material. In the previous chapter the people had rejected God and had demanded a king. Their interest was not in a spiritual leader. "He had a fine appearance; for it is evident that he must have been only a little under seven feet tall. A gigantic stature and an athletic frame must have been a popular recommendation at that time in that country." (JFB). |
| .3
¶ And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to
Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek
the asses.
4 And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. 5 And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us. 6 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. |
5 -
Land
of Zuph See on 1sa0901.
6 - This city It was Ramah, Samuel's home. 6 - All ... cometh to pass Saul may not have completely understood the work of a prophet. |
| .7
Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring
the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present
to bring to the man of God: what have we?
8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. .9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) 10 Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was. |
7 - What shall we bring x |
| .11
¶ And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens
going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?
12 And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: 13 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him. .14 And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place. |
11
- Maidens ... draw water Compare ge2411.
14 - Came ... against them 14 So they went up to the town, and when they came inside the town, Samuel came face to face with them on his way to the high place. (BBE). 14 - Note: The ancient Caananites, and other nations, worshipped the heavenly bodies and their idols upon hills, mountains, and artificial elevations. The Israelites were commanded to destroy these places of idol worship, De 12:2, but instead of this, they imitated the heathen, and at first worshipped Jehovah in high places, 1Sa 9:12; 1Ki 3:4, and afterwards idols, 1Ki 11:7; 2Ki 17:10,11. (ATS Dict.). Apparently some high places were also places of true worship. |
| 15 Now the LORD had
told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. 17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people. |
16
- I will send Apparently Saul had been uncertain about not
having a gift for the prophet. However in the previous verse the Lord had
prepared Samuel for his duty. The providence would have brought courage.
17 - Samuel saw Saul The Lord may have shown Samuel more than appears in the story. |
| 18 ¶ Then Saul drew near
to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's
house is.
19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart. 20 And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? 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? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? |
21 - Am I not Saul changed his attitude as any good person can. |
| 22 And Samuel took Saul
and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in
the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which 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 did eat with Samuel that day. |
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| 25 And when they were
come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul
upon the top of the house.
26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. .27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God. |
25 - Communed A new era, that of kings, was about to begin. Samuel would have helped Saul understand principles of the theocracy and the importance of remaining true to God. |
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