1 Samuel 9:11 kjv
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?
1 Samuel 9:11 nkjv
As they went up the hill to the city, they met some young women going out to draw water, and said to them, "Is the seer here?"
1 Samuel 9:11 niv
As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water, and they asked them, "Is the seer here?"
1 Samuel 9:11 esv
As they went up the hill to the city, they met young women coming out to draw water and said to them, "Is the seer here?"
1 Samuel 9:11 nlt
As they were climbing the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water. So Saul and his servant asked, "Is the seer here today?"
1 Samuel 9 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 24:11-16 | And he made his camels kneel... young women came out to draw water. | Meeting women at a well to find a spouse |
| Ex 2:16-17 | The priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came and drew water... | Moses helping daughters at a well |
| Gen 29:9-10 | Jacob spoke... while Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess... | Jacob meeting Rachel at a well |
| Jn 4:7-9 | There came a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her... | Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at a well |
| 1 Sam 9:6-7 | For there is a man of God in this city... give him a present. | Servant's initiative to seek a man of God |
| 1 Sam 9:9 | (Formerly in Israel, when one went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer”... now called a prophet.) | Explanation of "seer" (ro'eh) and "prophet" (navi) |
| Prov 16:9 | A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. | Divine guidance in human plans |
| Ps 37:23 | The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. | God ordering paths, even mundane ones |
| Jdg 18:5-6 | And they said to him, “Please inquire of God that we may know whether our journey on which we are going will be prosperous.” | Seeking divine direction for a journey |
| Jdg 20:27-28 | And the children of Israel asked the Lord… “Shall I again go out to battle...” | Seeking God's counsel before action |
| 1 Ki 22:5-7 | Jehoshaphat said, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord.” | Importance of consulting God's prophet |
| 2 Sam 24:11 | And when David arose in the morning, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer... | Gad referred to as a "seer" |
| 2 Ki 17:13 | Yet the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying... | God sending prophets and seers to warn |
| 1 Chron 29:29 | Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer... | Samuel identified as a "seer" |
| Isa 8:19 | When they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and spiritists...,” should not a people inquire of their God? | Contrast with seeking illegitimate guidance |
| Isa 30:10 | Who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things...” | Disdain for uncomfortable truths from seers |
| Jer 27:9-10 | Therefore do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your seers, or your sorcerers... | Warning against false seers/prophets |
| Hos 4:12 | My people inquire of a wooden thing, and their walking stick tells them; For the spirit of harlotry has led them astray... | Rejecting idol consultation, urging divine seeking |
| Mal 3:1 | “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me.” | Foretelling one who prepares the way |
| Acts 10:5-6 | And now send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter. | God directing search for specific person |
| Acts 13:17-21 | The God of this people Israel chose our fathers... then He gave them Saul... | God's sovereign choice of Israel's first king |
1 Samuel 9 verses
1 Samuel 9 11 Meaning
This verse details Saul and his servant's encounter with young women at a water source, whom they question about the location of the "seer" within the city. It marks a crucial step in God's divinely orchestrated plan to lead Saul to Samuel, signifying the practical aspect of seeking spiritual guidance.
1 Samuel 9 11 Context
This verse is pivotal in the narrative of Saul's ascension to kingship. Saul, dispatched by his father Kish to find lost donkeys, has searched unsuccessfully and is on the verge of returning home. His servant suggests seeking a "man of God" (later identified as a "seer") in a nearby city (Samuel's town of Ramah), believing he can direct them. The servant's suggestion and the subsequent encounter in verse 11 are not random, but part of God's sovereign orchestration to bring Saul before Samuel, whom God has already revealed He will use to anoint the first king of Israel. The scene highlights the traditional practice of seeking divine counsel for seemingly mundane problems.
1 Samuel 9 11 Word analysis
- As they went up: The journey involved ascending, indicating the city was likely on an elevated position, a common defensive location for ancient settlements. This physical ascent can also subtly prefigure the "elevation" Saul is about to experience.
- the hill to the city: Describes the geographical approach to Ramah (or wherever Samuel was at the time). Access to towns often involved climbing.
- they met young women: This was a common and natural meeting place in the ancient world. Wells or water sources were central to daily life, serving as communal gathering points where people from all walks of life interacted. It signifies an ordinary, unpretentious setting.
- coming out to draw water: A routine, daily activity primarily performed by women. It emphasizes the normality of the scene and the women's accessibility for questioning. Water-drawing was an essential household task, usually done early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat.
- and said to them, 'Is the seer here?': The direct question shows their immediate need for information. The term "seer" implies a recognized figure of spiritual authority. They are not asking for a random resident but a specific, known personality.
- the seer: The Hebrew word is ro'eh (רֹאֶה), which literally means "one who sees." This term precedes navi (נָבִיא), which means "prophet," literally "one who speaks" or "one who is called." As explained in 1 Sam 9:9, "Formerly in Israel, when one went to inquire of God, he said, 'Come, let us go to the seer'; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer." The ro'eh was someone who had direct spiritual insight or vision from God, often consulted for practical guidance as well as spiritual direction. This highlights the early, foundational role of such divine communicators in Israel.
- "As they went up... met young women": This entire phrase encapsulates God's subtle, yet perfect, timing and placement. What seems like a chance encounter is a divinely orchestrated moment. They are led exactly where they need to be to meet the very people who can point them in the right direction, unknowingly walking into God's plan for Israel's first king.
- "young women coming out to draw water": This phrase paints a vivid cultural picture of daily life in ancient Israel. The water source was a vital hub, often the social center of a community. The accessibility and commonality of these interactions are important for the natural flow of the narrative, highlighting how God works through ordinary circumstances.
- "Is the seer here?": This concise question demonstrates Saul and his servant's primary objective—finding the "man of God" they believe can help with their lost donkeys. It also shows the general public's awareness and respect for figures like the "seer," indicating Samuel's known presence and role in the community. Their quest, though mundane on the surface, sets in motion profound theological and political events.
1 Samuel 9 11 Bonus section
The immediate cultural context emphasizes the trustworthiness and societal respect accorded to "seers" or "men of God" in early Israel. Unlike pagan diviners who might be associated with magic or illicit practices, the ro'eh like Samuel derived his authority directly from God. This informal meeting at a public well underscores the approachable nature of true prophets and the way God integrated His divine plan into the fabric of everyday life, rather than relying solely on grand, dramatic revelations. The seemingly minor detail of young women drawing water indicates a society where such encounters were typical, facilitating rather than hindering Saul's divinely directed search. This accidental meeting (from a human perspective) underscores God's sovereignty over every detail, moving Saul to the right place at the right time.
1 Samuel 9 11 Commentary
This verse beautifully illustrates the principle of divine providence working through ordinary human actions. Saul and his servant's practical inquiry about Samuel, the "seer," reveals that God often guides individuals through common interactions and daily tasks. The seemingly mundane act of fetching water becomes a pivotal point in the story of Israel's monarchy. The "seer" (ro'eh) signifies Samuel's profound insight into divine matters, which the people recognized and sought for both spiritual and even seemingly secular guidance, emphasizing his role as God's spokesperson in a practical sense. This initial inquiry paves the way for the momentous encounter where Saul is set apart for kingship, highlighting God's method of using the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary.