1 Samuel 9 17

1 Samuel 9:17 kjv

And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.

1 Samuel 9:17 nkjv

So when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people."

1 Samuel 9:17 niv

When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people."

1 Samuel 9:17 esv

When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, "Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people."

1 Samuel 9:17 nlt

When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said, "That's the man I told you about! He will rule my people."

1 Samuel 9 verses

1 Samuel 9 17 Meaning

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, revealing God's direct divine appointment of Saul as the first king over Israel. As Samuel encounters Saul, God immediately confirms Saul's identity as the chosen leader, fulfilling a prior divine communication to Samuel. The verse highlights God's sovereignty in establishing leadership for His people, even in response to Israel's human request for a king.

1 Samuel 9 17 Context

The book of 1 Samuel chronicles the transition of Israel from a judgeship under Samuel to a monarchy. Chapter 9 details Saul's journey to find his father's lost donkeys, which divinely leads him to Samuel in Ramah. Unbeknownst to Saul, God had already revealed to Samuel the day before (1 Sam 9:15-16) that a man from Benjamin would come to him, whom Samuel was to anoint as ruler over Israel to deliver them from the Philistines. Verse 17 captures the very moment Samuel recognizes Saul, aligning God's prior revelation with the present encounter. This divine selection occurs before any public ceremony or popular vote, emphasizing God's initiation and orchestration of the kingship. Historically, Israel desired a king to be "like all the nations" (1 Sam 8:5), a request that God saw as a rejection of His direct rule (1 Sam 8:7), yet He permitted it according to His plan, foreknowing its consequences. This verse establishes God's hand in instituting the monarchy.

1 Samuel 9 17 Word analysis

• And when Samuel saw Saul,

  • This phrase marks the critical visual recognition that initiates the divine confirmation. Samuel's sight of Saul triggers God's immediate declaration.

• the LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh):

  • This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal involvement, His covenant faithfulness, and His active sovereignty in the affairs of His people. It's not a generic deity but the God who made promises to Israel.

• said (וַיַּעַן, wayyaʿan, related to 'to answer' or 'to declare'):

  • This indicates an immediate, direct, and explicit verbal communication from God to Samuel. It's not a mere impression or intuition, but a clear divine voice or message. This direct communication underscores Samuel's role as a true prophet of God.

• unto him, (i.e., to Samuel)

  • Reiterates that the message is for Samuel, the appointed prophet who would anoint and present Saul.

• Behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh):

  • An interjection signaling immediate attention and significance. It's like saying, "Look!" or "Pay close attention!" It introduces a profound divine disclosure.

• the man (הָאִישׁ, haʾish):

  • Referring specifically to Saul. It identifies him as a unique individual destined for a particular role, set apart by God. It emphasizes his human identity chosen for a divine purpose.

• whom I spake to thee! (אֲשֶׁר־אָמַרְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ, 'asher 'amarti 'eleyka):

  • A direct affirmation of a previous divine revelation (referencing 1 Sam 9:15-16). This reinforces God's omniscience and careful planning; He had foretold Saul's arrival. It builds credibility for Samuel's prophetic office.

• this same shall reign (וְהוּא יַעֲצֹר, vehu yāʿaṣor):

  • "This same" emphatically points to Saul as the specific, appointed individual.
  • "shall reign": The Hebrew verb here is yaʿaṣor (יַעֲצֹר), derived from ʿaṣar (עָצַר), which means 'to restrain', 'to hold back', 'to retain', and by extension, 'to govern' or 'to exercise power/authority'. This is significant as it's not the more common verb for 'to rule as king' (malakh, מָלַךְ). This nuance might imply a form of rule focused on control, or perhaps it emphasizes the initial nature of Saul's authority, particularly in keeping the people together or restraining their enemies. It implies a leadership role that will involve holding sway or dominion. It reflects his future responsibility in restraining the Philistines and exercising control over the nation.

• over my people. (בְעַמִּי, bəʿammi):

  • Highlights Israel's special status as "My people," belonging to the LORD. This establishes the divine expectation for Saul's rule: he is to govern God's chosen nation, not merely a secular entity. It places his authority under God's ultimate ownership and supervision.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him,": This sequence highlights immediate divine communication prompted by a specific visual cue, confirming the direct supernatural orchestration of events. It demonstrates Samuel's responsive readiness to God's lead.
• "Behold the man whom I spake to thee!": This powerful, confirming declaration from God verifies Samuel's prophetic accuracy and assures him that Saul is indeed the individual divinely selected. It closes the loop on the prior divine instruction.
• "this same shall reign over my people.": This definitive statement declares Saul's preordained destiny and the nature of his kingship – he is not to rule merely by human choice but as God's appointed shepherd over His special covenant nation. It implies both authority and responsibility directly under God's sovereignty.

1 Samuel 9 17 Bonus section

The seemingly accidental meeting of Saul and Samuel for lost donkeys is presented as entirely orchestrated by God. This "coincidence" reveals God's meticulous providence, guiding both Saul's journey and Samuel's actions to fulfill His divine plan. This selection of Saul, a Benjamite from a modest family (1 Sam 9:21), illustrates God's ability to choose instruments that might seem ordinary from a human perspective, yet are fit for His purposes. The verse lays the groundwork for the anointing of a human king in Israel, fulfilling the people's desire yet doing so under God's ultimate authority and choosing. It reflects the broader theological tension in 1 Samuel between the human desire for a king and God's sovereign will in providing one, a king who was to be subject to His Law.

1 Samuel 9 17 Commentary

1 Samuel 9:17 presents the divine mandate for Saul's kingship, unfolding precisely as God had foretold to Samuel. This verse serves as the immediate confirmation from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, recognizing Saul as the specific man He had chosen to rule. The use of "Yahweh" underscores the divine initiative and ownership of the process. The word "Behold!" arrests Samuel's attention, signifying the profound nature of the revelation. Crucially, Saul's rule is over "my people," emphasizing Israel's unique relationship with God and the sacred responsibility of their leader. The choice of the verb ʿaṣar for 'reign' or 'govern' might hint at the particular aspect of control, restraint, and authority that Saul would wield, especially in protecting Israel from enemies. This divine declaration to Samuel establishes Saul's legitimate, divinely appointed claim to the throne, not as a king of Israel's own making, but as one consecrated by God's explicit command.