New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Samuel 9
1
There was a man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. Kish was a very important person. He was the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror. Zeror was the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah from the tribe of Benjamin.
Reference
People
2
Kish had a son named Saul. Saul was a handsome young man. There wasn't anyone like him among the people of Israel. He was a head taller than any of them.
Reference
People
3
The donkeys that belonged to Saul's father Kish were lost. So Kish spoke to his son Saul. He said, "Go and look for the donkeys. Take one of the servants with you."
4
Saul and his servant went through the hill country of Ephraim. They also went through the area around Shalisha. But they didn't find the donkeys. So they went on into the area of Shaalim. But the donkeys weren't there either. Then Saul went through the territory of Benjamin. But they still didn't find the donkeys.
Reference
📍 Locations
5
When Saul and the servant who was with him reached the area of Zuph, Saul spoke to him. He said, "Come on. Let's go back. If we don't, my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us."
Reference
📍 Zuph
6
But the servant replied, "There's a man of God here in Ramah. People have a lot of respect for him. Everything he says comes true. So let's go and see him now. Perhaps he'll tell us which way to go."
Reference
7
Saul said to his servant, "If we go to see the man, what can we give him? There isn't any food in our sacks. We don't have a gift for the man of God. So what can we give him?"
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 14:3
2 Kings 5:5
Judges 6:18
References God
2 Kings 8:8
2 Kings 4:42
2 Kings 5:15
8
The servant answered Saul again. "Look," he said. "I've got a tenth of an ounce of silver. I'll give it to the man of God. Then maybe he'll tell us which way to go."
9
In Israel, prophets used to be called seers. So if a man wanted to ask God for advice, he would say, "Come on. Let's go to the seer."
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 26:28
Genesis 25:22
Prophecy
Isaiah 30:10
1 Chronicles 29:29
Amos 7:12
2 Kings 17:13
2 Samuel 24:11
Isaiah 29:10
10
Saul said to his servant, "That's a good idea. Come on. Let's go and ask the seer." So they started out for the town where the man of God lived.
11
They were going up the hill toward the town. Along the way they met some young women who were coming out to get water from the well. Saul and his servant asked them, "Is the seer here?"
Reference
12
"Yes, he is," they answered. "In fact, he's just up ahead of you. So hurry along. He has just come to our town today. The people are going to offer a sacrifice at the high place where they worship.
Reference
13
As soon as you enter the town, you will find him. He'll be there until he goes up to the high place to eat. The people won't start eating until he gets there. He must bless the sacrifice first. After that, those who are invited will eat. So go on up. You should find him there just about now."
Reference
Parallel theme
John 6:11
14
They went up to the town. As they were entering it, they saw Samuel. He was coming toward them. He was on his way up to the high place.
15
The Lord had spoken to Samuel the day before Saul came. He had said,
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 13:21
Job 33:16
1 Samuel 20:2
Acts 27:23
References Lord
1 Samuel 15:1
Psalm 25:14
Amos 3:7
2 Samuel 7:27
1 Samuel 9:17
16
"About this time tomorrow I will send you a man. He is from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my people Israel. He will save them from the powerful hand of the Philistines. I have seen how much my people are suffering. Their cry for help has reached me."
Reference
17
When Samuel saw a man coming toward him, the Lord spoke to Samuel again. He said, "He is the man I told you about. His name is Saul. He will govern my people."
Reference
Kingdom
Hosea 13:11
18
Saul approached Samuel at the gate of the town. He asked Samuel, "Can you please show me the house where the seer is staying?"
19
"I'm the seer," Samuel replied. "Go on up to the high place ahead of me. I want you and your servant to eat with me today. Tomorrow morning I'll tell you what's on your mind. Then I'll let you go.
Reference
20
Don't worry about the donkeys you lost three days ago. They've already been found. But who are all of the people of Israel longing for? You and your father's whole family!"
Reference
21
Saul answered, "But I'm from the tribe of Benjamin. It's the smallest tribe in Israel. And my family group is the least important in the whole tribe of Benjamin. So why are you saying that to me?"
Reference
22
Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the room where they would be eating. He seated them at the head table. About 30 people had been invited.
23
Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you. It's the one I told you to put to one side."
24
So the cook went and got a choice piece of thigh. He set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Here is what has been kept for you. Eat it. It was put to one side for you for this special occasion. We've saved it for you ever since I invited the guests." And Saul ate with Samuel that day.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 24:4
25
They came down from the high place to the town. After that, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of Samuel's house.
Reference
26
The next day they got up at about the time the sun was rising. Samuel called out to Saul on the roof. He said, "Get ready. Then I'll send you on your way." So Saul got ready. And he and Samuel went outside together.
27
As they were on their way down to the edge of town, Samuel spoke to Saul. He said, "Tell the servant to go ahead of us." So the servant went on ahead. Then Samuel continued, "Stay here awhile. I'll give you a message from God."
Summary of 1 Samuel 9
1 Samuel chapter 9 introduces Saul, the man who will become Israel's first king. What appears to be a simple search for some lost donkeys leads Saul and his servant to Samuel. What looks like an ordinary hunt for some animals is actually a way of introducing Saul to the man who will help anoint him as the first ruler of the kingdom of Israel.
Saul is introduced as the son of Kish, a wealthy and respected man from the tribe of Benjamin who owns a choice and goodly young man of age. Saul is also described as a towering figure among his contemporaries.
One day, some of Kish's donkeys are lost.
Kish tells Saul to take a servant and search for them.
Saul and his servant travel through several areas looking for the animals. They search through mount Ephraim, the land of Shalisha, the land of Shalim, and the land of Benjamin, but they cannot find the donkeys.
After searching for a while, Saul becomes concerned that his father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about him.
The servant then suggests that they visit a man of God who lives nearby. The servant believes that this man may be able to tell them where the donkeys are.
Saul agrees but is concerned that they have nothing to give the man of God. In those days, it was customary to bring something when seeking help or guidance.
The servant has a small amount of silver and suggests that they give it to the man.
As Saul and his servant approach the city, they meet young women who are going out to draw water. They ask them where the seer is.
The women tell them that he has arrived in the city today because the people have a sacrifice at a high place. They tell Saul to hurry because the people are waiting for the man of God to bless the sacrifice.
The chapter explains that a prophet was sometimes called a seer in earlier times.
As Saul and his servant enter the city, they meet Samuel.
What Saul does not know is that God has already spoken to Samuel about him.
The previous day, the Lord had told Samuel that a man from the land of Benjamin would come to him. God said that Samuel was to anoint this man as captain over His people Israel.
God also explained why Saul was being brought to Samuel. Israel had cried to Him because of the Philistines, and God intended to use this man in the leadership of His people.
Samuel therefore knows something about Saul that Saul himself does not know.
When Samuel sees Saul, the Lord tells him, "Behold the man whom I spake to thee of!"
Saul approaches Samuel and asks where the house of the seer is.
Samuel tells him that he is the seer and invites Saul to go with him to the high place. Samuel also tells Saul not to worry about the donkeys because they have already been found.
Then Samuel says something that must have surprised Saul.
He tells Saul that the desire of all Israel is turned toward him and toward his father's house.
Saul does not understand what Samuel means.
He answers by pointing out that he is from Benjamin, the smallest tribe of Israel, and that his family is not especially important within the tribe.
His response shows that Saul does not initially see himself as someone who should become a national leader.
Samuel then brings Saul into the place where the meal is being prepared.
The previous day, Samuel had instructed the cook to reserve a special portion of meat for the man who would come. The cook brings that portion and places it before Saul.
Samuel tells Saul that the meat had been kept for him because the people had been told to wait for his arrival.
Saul then eats with Samuel.
After the meal, they come down from the high place and back to the city.
Samuel asks Saul to stay with him so that he can speak with him privately.
The chapter ends just before Samuel reveals everything that God has planned.
The journey that started with Saul searching for lost donkeys has now brought him to Samuel. Saul thinks that he is just trying to solve a problem for his father, but God is using the journey to bring him to the prophet.
This is one of the most interesting features of the chapter. Saul does not set out looking for a crown. He does not go to Samuel because he wants political power. He is just searching for something that has been lost.
Yet God is directing the circumstances towards Saul's future.
The chapter also introduces an important contrast between Saul's outward appearance and what God is doing through him. Saul is tall and impressive, which fits the people's later desire for a king who looks like the rulers of other nations. In the previous chapter, the people had asked for a king who could go before them and fight their battles.
Saul certainly looks like the kind of man they might expect to see in that position.
At this point, however, Saul appears humble and uncertain about his importance. When Samuel suggests that Israel's attention is turning towards him, Saul immediately points out that Benjamin is the smallest tribe and that his family is not significant.
The chapter also shows Samuel's role as God's prophet. Samuel does not choose Saul because of personal preference. God tells Samuel that Saul is the man He has selected for this purpose.
The details surrounding the meeting are also important. Samuel knows that Saul is coming before Saul arrives. The reserved portion of meat, the timing of the sacrifice and the meeting at the city all come together at the right moment.
The story therefore gives the impression that events are being arranged according to God's purpose even though Saul does not understand what is happening.
The search for the donkeys also becomes part of the story of Saul's calling. Something that seems ordinary leads him to the person who will reveal his future.
The chapter ends with Samuel and Saul together but Saul has not yet been publicly presented as king. The next chapter will explain how Samuel anoints Saul and how Saul receives the first clear indication that God has chosen him to lead Israel.
1 Samuel chapter 9 is therefore the beginning of Saul's rise to power. Saul starts the day as a young man searching for his father's lost donkeys. By the end of the chapter, he is sitting with Samuel, the prophet and judge of Israel, while God prepares to place him in a completely different role. The meeting looks accidental from Saul's point of view, but the story makes clear that God is directing the events towards Israel's first king.
Saul is introduced as the son of Kish, a wealthy and respected man from the tribe of Benjamin who owns a choice and goodly young man of age. Saul is also described as a towering figure among his contemporaries.
One day, some of Kish's donkeys are lost.
Kish tells Saul to take a servant and search for them.
Saul and his servant travel through several areas looking for the animals. They search through mount Ephraim, the land of Shalisha, the land of Shalim, and the land of Benjamin, but they cannot find the donkeys.
After searching for a while, Saul becomes concerned that his father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about him.
The servant then suggests that they visit a man of God who lives nearby. The servant believes that this man may be able to tell them where the donkeys are.
Saul agrees but is concerned that they have nothing to give the man of God. In those days, it was customary to bring something when seeking help or guidance.
The servant has a small amount of silver and suggests that they give it to the man.
As Saul and his servant approach the city, they meet young women who are going out to draw water. They ask them where the seer is.
The women tell them that he has arrived in the city today because the people have a sacrifice at a high place. They tell Saul to hurry because the people are waiting for the man of God to bless the sacrifice.
The chapter explains that a prophet was sometimes called a seer in earlier times.
As Saul and his servant enter the city, they meet Samuel.
What Saul does not know is that God has already spoken to Samuel about him.
The previous day, the Lord had told Samuel that a man from the land of Benjamin would come to him. God said that Samuel was to anoint this man as captain over His people Israel.
God also explained why Saul was being brought to Samuel. Israel had cried to Him because of the Philistines, and God intended to use this man in the leadership of His people.
Samuel therefore knows something about Saul that Saul himself does not know.
When Samuel sees Saul, the Lord tells him, "Behold the man whom I spake to thee of!"
Saul approaches Samuel and asks where the house of the seer is.
Samuel tells him that he is the seer and invites Saul to go with him to the high place. Samuel also tells Saul not to worry about the donkeys because they have already been found.
Then Samuel says something that must have surprised Saul.
He tells Saul that the desire of all Israel is turned toward him and toward his father's house.
Saul does not understand what Samuel means.
He answers by pointing out that he is from Benjamin, the smallest tribe of Israel, and that his family is not especially important within the tribe.
His response shows that Saul does not initially see himself as someone who should become a national leader.
Samuel then brings Saul into the place where the meal is being prepared.
The previous day, Samuel had instructed the cook to reserve a special portion of meat for the man who would come. The cook brings that portion and places it before Saul.
Samuel tells Saul that the meat had been kept for him because the people had been told to wait for his arrival.
Saul then eats with Samuel.
After the meal, they come down from the high place and back to the city.
Samuel asks Saul to stay with him so that he can speak with him privately.
The chapter ends just before Samuel reveals everything that God has planned.
The journey that started with Saul searching for lost donkeys has now brought him to Samuel. Saul thinks that he is just trying to solve a problem for his father, but God is using the journey to bring him to the prophet.
This is one of the most interesting features of the chapter. Saul does not set out looking for a crown. He does not go to Samuel because he wants political power. He is just searching for something that has been lost.
Yet God is directing the circumstances towards Saul's future.
The chapter also introduces an important contrast between Saul's outward appearance and what God is doing through him. Saul is tall and impressive, which fits the people's later desire for a king who looks like the rulers of other nations. In the previous chapter, the people had asked for a king who could go before them and fight their battles.
Saul certainly looks like the kind of man they might expect to see in that position.
At this point, however, Saul appears humble and uncertain about his importance. When Samuel suggests that Israel's attention is turning towards him, Saul immediately points out that Benjamin is the smallest tribe and that his family is not significant.
The chapter also shows Samuel's role as God's prophet. Samuel does not choose Saul because of personal preference. God tells Samuel that Saul is the man He has selected for this purpose.
The details surrounding the meeting are also important. Samuel knows that Saul is coming before Saul arrives. The reserved portion of meat, the timing of the sacrifice and the meeting at the city all come together at the right moment.
The story therefore gives the impression that events are being arranged according to God's purpose even though Saul does not understand what is happening.
The search for the donkeys also becomes part of the story of Saul's calling. Something that seems ordinary leads him to the person who will reveal his future.
The chapter ends with Samuel and Saul together but Saul has not yet been publicly presented as king. The next chapter will explain how Samuel anoints Saul and how Saul receives the first clear indication that God has chosen him to lead Israel.
1 Samuel chapter 9 is therefore the beginning of Saul's rise to power. Saul starts the day as a young man searching for his father's lost donkeys. By the end of the chapter, he is sitting with Samuel, the prophet and judge of Israel, while God prepares to place him in a completely different role. The meeting looks accidental from Saul's point of view, but the story makes clear that God is directing the events towards Israel's first king.