1 Samuel 9 13

1 Samuel 9:13 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 9:13 nkjv

As soon as you come into the city, you will surely find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up, for about this time you will find him."

1 Samuel 9:13 niv

As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time."

1 Samuel 9:13 esv

As soon as you enter the city you will find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat till he comes, since he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now go up, for you will meet him immediately."

1 Samuel 9:13 nlt

Hurry and catch him before he goes up there to eat. The guests won't begin eating until he arrives to bless the food."

1 Samuel 9 verses

1 Samuel 9 13 Meaning

This verse assures Saul that upon entering the city, he will immediately find Samuel before the prophet ascends to the high place for the communal sacrificial meal. It clarifies Samuel's pivotal role: the people will not eat until Samuel arrives and blesses the sacrifice, after which the invited guests partake. Therefore, Saul is instructed to go up without delay, for he will indeed find Samuel instantly. The verse emphasizes Samuel's spiritual authority and God's providential timing in guiding Saul to him for a specific divine purpose related to a holy meal.

1 Samuel 9 13 Context

1 Samuel 9:13 is a pivotal moment in Saul's unexpected journey, where God providentially guides him to Samuel. Earlier in chapter 9, Saul is sent by his father Kish to find lost donkeys. This seemingly mundane task leads him, along with his servant, to Samuel’s city. Verse 13 specifically describes the timing and location of Samuel, setting the scene for Saul's encounter and subsequent anointing. The historical context reflects a pre-monarchical Israel where the "high place" (Hebrew: bamah) was a common, accepted site for communal worship and sacrifice before the establishment of the central tabernacle in Jerusalem. Samuel, as a prophet and judge, held spiritual authority to lead such sacrificial feasts, blessing the food and ensuring its proper sanctification before God. This event foreshadows the shift in Israel's governance from judgeship to kingship, initiated by divine appointment through Samuel.

1 Samuel 9 13 Word analysis

• As soon as you come: (Hebrew: בְּבֹאֲכֶם b'vo'akhem) Implies immediate arrival and the quick access Saul will have to Samuel, highlighting God's direct and precise timing. It underscores the divine orchestration of the meeting.
• into the city: Refers to Ramah (or Ramathaim-Zophim), Samuel's home city, a hub for prophetic activity. This place served as Samuel’s base of operation as judge and prophet (1 Sam 7:17).
• you will find him: Emphasizes the certainty of the encounter, reinforcing the divine appointment of the meeting. Saul is not left to chance; God has prepared this specific rendezvous.
• before he goes up: Indicates that the time window is narrow and Samuel's routine is predictable. This specific detail shows divine foreknowledge given to Samuel about Saul's arrival.
• to the high place: (Hebrew: הַבָּמָה ha-bamah) A localized outdoor place of worship, often on elevated ground, used for sacrifices and communal feasts. In this pre-Temple era, these were legitimate, even sanctified, places of worship where sacrifices to Yahweh were offered. Later in Israel's history, as centralized worship became mandatory by Deuteronomic law, bamot (plural of bamah) would often be condemned due to syncretic worship practices, but not at this point when Samuel is officiating.
• to eat: The purpose of going to the high place; it was for a communal sacrificial meal, where parts of the sacrifice were consumed by the worshippers in fellowship with God.
• for the people will not eat until he comes: Signifies Samuel's unique authority and indispensable role as God's representative. His presence and blessing are necessary to consecrate the meal, highlighting his spiritual headship in the community.
• because he blesses the sacrifice: (Hebrew: כִּי הוּא יְבָרֵךְ הַזֶּבַח ki hu yevarekh ha-zevakh) "Blesses" (בָּרַךְ barakh) here means to consecrate, set apart for God, and invoke divine favor upon the food/offering. This action elevates the physical act of eating into a spiritual communion. It demonstrates Samuel's priestly function despite not being explicitly of the Aaronic line.
• afterward those who are invited will eat: Indicates the orderly nature of the communal feast, emphasizing the specific ritual of the sacrifice and blessing taking precedence over the consumption. It also highlights that this was a special, perhaps larger, gathering.
• Now therefore, go up: An instruction based on the preceding information, prompting immediate action from Saul and his servant.
• for you will find him at once: Reiteration of the certainty and immediacy of the encounter, assuring Saul that their journey has led them precisely to their divine appointment.

1 Samuel 9 13 Bonus section

The "high place" (Hebrew: bamah) in 1 Samuel 9 is a local shrine used for legitimate worship of Yahweh. This practice differs from the later condemnations of bamot in Deuteronomy and Kings, which often refer to sites used for syncretistic or idolatrous worship, or those that challenged the Deuteronomic ideal of a single, centralized sanctuary. Samuel’s administration of the sacrifice at this bamah confirms its authorized use at this period in Israel's history. This meal also serves a social function, uniting the community around the sacred. The "blessing" by Samuel is akin to sanctifying the entire gathering and the food for a holy purpose, connecting the mundane act of eating with the divine presence. The act of "blessing" the food has deep biblical roots, signifying an invocation of God's favor and acknowledging His provision, transforming ordinary sustenance into a holy meal when associated with sacrifice. This is a recurring theme from the Passover to the Lord's Supper.

1 Samuel 9 13 Commentary

1 Samuel 9:13 illuminates several critical aspects of Israel's early history and divine providence. First, it details a permissible "high place" worship, providing a snapshot of religious practice before the Jerusalem Temple's establishment. Samuel's role is central; he is not just a prophet or judge, but also a spiritual leader with the authority to "bless the sacrifice." This blessing, more than a mere prayer, was a ritual act that consecrated the food, rendering it acceptable for communal eating after it had been offered to God. It highlights Samuel’s function as the primary mediator between God and the people in spiritual matters during that period. The entire scenario — from Saul's lost donkeys to Samuel’s pre-emptive knowledge and the specific timing of the meal — vividly demonstrates God's meticulous and sovereign hand in orchestrating events. Saul's encounter with Samuel at this particular moment is entirely a divine setup, preparing him for the unexpected call to kingship. This verse underscores that divine appointments often unfold in the mundane moments of life, precisely timed by God for His purposes.