1 Samuel 9:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.

NIV: They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.

NASB: So they went up to the city. As they came into the city, behold, Samuel was coming out toward them to go up to the high place.

CSB: So they went up toward the city. Saul and his servant were entering the city when they saw Samuel coming toward them on his way to the high place.

NLT: So they entered the town, and as they passed through the gates, Samuel was coming out toward them to go up to the place of worship.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: So they went up to the city. As they were coming into the city, there was Samuel, coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.

First Samuel 9:1–14 begins the story of Saul, first king of Israel. Saul and his servant spend three days looking for lost donkeys before seeking help. They ask for the local seer—the original term for a "prophet"—and are sent to Samuel. Neither man realizes they are expected and that the Lord has special plans for Saul.

The story of Saul, first king of Israel, begins with him searching the Ephraim hill country for lost donkeys. He stops at Ramah to ask the prophet there for help. The seer, Samuel, has been told by God to expect a man to come at this time. Samuel will anoint this man as the prince of Israel. Samuel makes Saul the guest of honor at a sacrificial feast and then brings him home to sleep on his roof. As Saul is leaving town the next day, Samuel stops and says it is time to reveal the word of God to Saul.

The people of Israel have demanded a king (1 Samuel 8:4–5). Here, the Lord introduces Samuel to Saul, who would become the nation's first ruler (1 Samuel 10:24). Saul and his servant stop at Ramah looking for his family's donkeys. God has told Samuel to anoint Saul as the prince of Israel. After eating with Samuel as an honored guest, Saul prepares to leave, but Samuel has more to tell him (1 Samuel 10:1). Saul would quickly fall into disobedience (1 Samuel 15:10–11); David would eventually take his place (1 Samuel 16:12–13).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 11/21/2024 1:25:18 PM