1 Samuel 9 16

1 Samuel 9:16 kjv

To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

1 Samuel 9:16 nkjv

"Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me."

1 Samuel 9:16 niv

"About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me."

1 Samuel 9:16 esv

"Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me."

1 Samuel 9:16 nlt

"About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my people, Israel. He will rescue them from the Philistines, for I have looked down on my people in mercy and have heard their cry."

1 Samuel 9 verses

1 Samuel 9 16 Meaning

1 Samuel 9:16 describes God's direct revelation to Samuel, commissioning him to anoint Saul as the first king of Israel. The primary purpose for Saul's anointing is explicitly stated: to deliver God's people, Israel, from the oppressive hand of the Philistines. This divine action is a direct response to God's observation of Israel's affliction and His hearing of their cry for deliverance, demonstrating His compassionate intervention in their suffering.

1 Samuel 9 16 Context

The broader context of 1 Samuel chapter 9 unfolds after the people of Israel, discontent with Samuel's corrupt sons as judges, explicitly rejected God's direct rule and demanded a human king "like all the nations" (1 Sam 8:5). This request grieved Samuel, but God instructed him to grant their request, as it was a rejection of God Himself, not Samuel (1 Sam 8:7). Following this, God orchestrates the seemingly random journey of Saul, a humble man from the tribe of Benjamin, in search of his father's lost donkeys. This search providentially leads him to Samuel, precisely at the time God had appointed. The verse 1 Samuel 9:16 is God's private revelation to Samuel, providing specific instructions and the divine rationale for Saul's selection, which serves as a prelude to Saul's anointing as the first king of Israel. The immediate background for this divine intervention is Israel's long-standing oppression under the Philistines (1 Sam 7:13-14), despite Samuel's previous victory over them, showing that the Philistine threat was still a significant issue requiring a sustained military leader.

1 Samuel 9 16 Word analysis

• Tomorrow at this time: Hebrew: מָחָר כָּעֵת (makhar ka'et). Emphasizes the precision and certainty of God's timing and fulfillment of prophecy. It highlights God's pre-arrangement and divine orchestration of events, rather than coincidental occurrences.

• I will send you: Hebrew: שָׁלַחְתִּי (shalachti), from שָׁלַח (shalach), meaning "to send forth, stretch out, cast off." This is a divine declaration of proactive intervention. It signifies God's direct action and authority in choosing and dispatching His agent for a specific purpose. It demonstrates His sovereignty over human affairs.

• a man: Hebrew: אִישׁ (ish). Refers to an individual male. Here, it denotes God's specific, personal choice of an individual, Saul, from among all of Israel.

• out of the land of Benjamin: Hebrew: מֵאֶרֶץ בִּנְיָמִן (me'eretz Binyamin). Benjamin was the smallest tribe after the almost complete destruction in the Gibeah incident (Judg 20-21). This choice is unexpected and significant, often highlighting that God's strength is made perfect in weakness, and He chooses instruments not based on human prestige or power.

• and you shall anoint him: Hebrew: וּמָשַׁחְתָּ (u-māshakhtā), from מָשַׁח (mashach), meaning "to smear, anoint, consecrate." This is the ceremonial act of setting apart someone for sacred office, signifying divine appointment and empowerment. It establishes his legitimacy and authority under God.

• to be commander: Hebrew: נָגִיד (nagid). This term implies a leader, prince, or chieftain, indicating one who is prominent and designated for leadership. Unlike 'king' (melek), 'nagid' often emphasizes one who is 'set apart' by God directly, focusing on the divine appointment and spiritual aspect of leadership, rather than merely hereditary or military power. It can denote a ruler, but with an emphasis on the leader of God's people rather than a despotic monarch.

• over my people Israel: Hebrew: עַל עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל (al ammi Yisra'el). Reiterates God's enduring covenantal relationship with Israel and His proprietorship over them. The chosen king is to be a servant, leading God's people under His divine authority.

• that he may save them: Hebrew: יֹשִׁיעַ (yoshi'a), from יָשַׁע (yasha), meaning "to save, deliver, help." This specifies the primary divine mandate for Saul's kingship: not merely to rule, but to be a deliverer, akin to the previous Judges. This shows God's continued commitment to His people's well-being and His intervention through human agents.

• out of the hand of the Philistines: Hebrew: מִיַּד פְּלִשְׁתִּים (miy-yad Pelishtim). Identifies the immediate, pressing national threat. This clarifies the specific context of Israel's current oppression and the practical purpose of the new king.

• for I have looked upon: Hebrew: כִּי רָאִיתִי (ki ra'iti), from רָאָה (ra'ah), meaning "to see, perceive, discern." This signifies God's attentiveness, observation, and perfect knowledge of His people's suffering. It is a powerful affirmation of His omniscient care.

• my people: Hebrew: עַמִּי (ammi). Re-emphasizes the covenantal relationship and God's paternal care.

• because their cry has come to Me: Hebrew: כִּי בָאָה צַעֲקָתָם אֵלָי (ki va'a tsa'qatam elay). Hebrew: צַעֲקָה (tza'akah) means "cry, outcry, scream." This confirms God's active hearing and responsiveness to the distress calls of His people. It signifies divine empathy and active compassion, motivating His intervention. This phrasing echoes God's response to Israel's suffering in Egypt (Exod 2:23-25).

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Tomorrow at this time I will send you a man": Highlights divine control over timing and personnel. God's purpose is sovereignly enacted through a specifically chosen individual at the precise moment.
  • "out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be commander over my people Israel": Connects a surprising choice (smallest tribe) with the divinely sanctioned authority (anointing) over God's own chosen people, establishing the foundational role of the king.
  • "that he may save them out of the hand of the Philistines": Defines the immediate, tangible goal of Saul's appointment: national deliverance from a specific, pressing external threat. This shows God's practical concern for His people's physical security.
  • "for I have looked upon my people because their cry has come to Me": Reveals the compassionate divine motivation. God's intervention is not arbitrary but is a direct, sympathetic response to His people's distress and prayers, demonstrating His attentiveness and love.

1 Samuel 9 16 Bonus section

The term nagid (commander/prince) instead of melek (king) for Saul's initial role is significant. While Saul later operates as a king, nagid carries connotations of a divinely appointed leader responsible to God for His people, rather than an absolute monarch common among gentile nations. This subtly foreshadows the future tensions of Israel's monarchy—a divinely chosen ruler who often struggles to remain fully under God's command. Furthermore, the timing of Saul's appointment reflects God's pre-knowledge and preparation for Israel's transition. Samuel was made aware before Saul's arrival, signifying divine ordination over coincidence. This verse powerfully illustrates the principle that God often answers the genuine pleas of His people, even when those pleas originate from imperfect understanding or flawed desires, turning human weaknesses into opportunities for His perfect will to unfold.

1 Samuel 9 16 Commentary

1 Samuel 9:16 serves as a pivotal verse, encapsulating God's sovereign hand in establishing the monarchy in Israel, despite its complex and somewhat reluctant inception. It highlights that even when human motives are mixed (the desire for a king like other nations, rooted in a rejection of God's direct rule), God, in His mercy, responds to His people's genuine cry for deliverance from oppression. His choice of Saul, a man from the seemingly insignificant tribe of Benjamin, underscores divine selection based not on human greatness but on God's mysterious wisdom and purpose. The primary role of this first king, defined as a "commander" (nagid), is clear: to be a deliverer from the Philistine threat. This divine mandate firmly places the king's authority under God's ultimate sovereignty and for the welfare of His covenant people, setting a precedent for subsequent kingships. This act showcases God's enduring faithfulness, compassion, and active involvement in the lives of His people.