1 Samuel 9 12

1 Samuel 9:12 kjv

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:

1 Samuel 9:12 nkjv

And they answered them and said, "Yes, there he is, just ahead of you. Hurry now; for today he came to this city, because there is a sacrifice of the people today on the high place.

1 Samuel 9:12 niv

"He is," they answered. "He's ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place.

1 Samuel 9:12 esv

They answered, "He is; behold, he is just ahead of you. Hurry. He has come just now to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today on the high place.

1 Samuel 9:12 nlt

"Yes," they replied. "Stay right on this road. He is at the town gates. He has just arrived to take part in a public sacrifice up at the place of worship.

1 Samuel 9 verses

1 Samuel 9 12 Meaning

The young women who met Saul and his servant immediately affirmed that Samuel was present in the city. They urged Saul to hurry because Samuel had arrived that very day, specifically for a communal sacrifice being held for the people at the high place. This precise timing underscores God's providential arrangement for Saul to meet Samuel.

1 Samuel 9 12 Context

This verse is pivotal in the narrative of Saul's initial encounter with Samuel, which will lead to his anointing as Israel's first king. Saul and his servant were originally searching for lost donkeys and, upon his servant's suggestion, sought out the "man of God," Samuel, to inquire about their missing animals. Unbeknownst to them, the Lord had already revealed to Samuel the day before that He would send a man from Benjamin to be king over Israel, instructing Samuel to anoint him. Thus, Saul's journey was divinely orchestrated, not just a mundane search for donkeys. This particular verse occurs when Saul and his servant are in Ramah, inquiring of some young women where Samuel might be found, illustrating God's precise timing in bringing Saul directly to Samuel.

1 Samuel 9 12 Word analysis

• And they answered her and said,: Indicates the response of the young women to Saul and his servant (they mistakenly asked "her" but meant Samuel), affirming Samuel's presence.
• He is;: This simple affirmation (Hebrew: Hu', meaning "he") confirms Samuel's presence, resolving Saul's immediate question.
• behold, he is before you:: The particle "behold" (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, hinneh) is an intensifier, drawing immediate attention. It signifies that Samuel is not just in the city but accessible and close at hand, literally "before you," emphasizing immediacy and direction.
• make haste now,: (Hebrew: מַהֵר עַתָּה, maher 'attah) An urgent command. The young women recognize the importance of immediate action, implicitly understanding that the timing is crucial for encountering Samuel for the communal meal.
• for he came to-day to the city;: This explains the urgency. Samuel's presence today in the city (Ramah, his residence per 1 Sam 7:17) is the reason for the need for speed. He might have been traveling, but his arrival this specific day is part of the divine setup.
• for there is a sacrifice of the people to-day in the high place.
  • sacrifice: (Hebrew: זֶבַח, zevach) Refers to a communal sacrifice, which often included a peace offering where part of the animal was burnt, and the rest was shared among the worshippers as a meal. This was a significant community event.
  • of the people: Indicates a public, communal event, involving the participation of the community, suggesting a significant gathering and not a private offering.
  • to-day: Further emphasizes the precise timing. God had orchestrated Samuel's arrival and the sacrifice on this particular day to coincide with Saul's search.
  • in the high place: (Hebrew: בָּמָה, bamah) In this period, prior to the construction of Solomon's Temple and the centralization of worship in Jerusalem, "high places" were legitimate, albeit temporary, sites of worship where altars were set up for offering sacrifices to Yahweh. Samuel himself led worship at such places. These were local gathering points, often on elevated ground, symbolizing approach to God. Later, particularly during the time of the kings, "high places" became associated with syncretism and idolatry and were often condemned, but at this stage under Samuel, it was an accepted practice for Israelite worship.

1 Samuel 9 12 Bonus section

The meticulous detail regarding Samuel's timely arrival and the ongoing sacrifice points to God's foresight in arranging Saul's introduction to Samuel. It demonstrates that God's plans are often executed through a series of seemingly mundane events and human actions, guiding individuals to their predestined appointments without their full knowledge of the grand design. The cultural acceptance of "high places" as legitimate worship sites under Samuel's leadership reflects a period of Israel's history before the singular, centralized worship established in Jerusalem, underscoring the transitional nature of this era. This event also showcases the public recognition of Samuel's role as the central religious and prophetic figure.

1 Samuel 9 12 Commentary

1 Samuel 9:12 masterfully reveals the intricate orchestration of divine providence. What seems like a chance encounter with young women for simple directions quickly transforms into an urgent directive, all carefully prearranged by God. The detail that Samuel "came today" and that a communal "sacrifice" was happening "in the high place" emphasizes the perfect divine timing and setting. God utilized everyday circumstances—Saul's lost donkeys, Samuel's return to the city, and a common community feast at an accepted worship site—to bring His chosen one into the precise situation necessary for his anointing. The verse thus highlights God's sovereignty over the mundane details of life to fulfill His overarching plans for His people.