1 Samuel 9 19

1 Samuel 9:19 kjv

And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.

1 Samuel 9:19 nkjv

Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.

1 Samuel 9:19 niv

"I am the seer," Samuel replied. "Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart.

1 Samuel 9:19 esv

Samuel answered Saul, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind.

1 Samuel 9:19 nlt

"I am the seer!" Samuel replied. "Go up to the place of worship ahead of me. We will eat there together, and in the morning I'll tell you what you want to know and send you on your way.

1 Samuel 9 verses

1 Samuel 9 19 Meaning

Samuel, established as God's chosen prophet, reveals his identity and immediate intentions to Saul. He instructs Saul to precede him to the high place for a communal meal, a significant act of shared fellowship and consecration. This seemingly simple invitation masks a divine appointment, as Samuel promises to disclose not just the whereabouts of the donkeys, but also all the deeper concerns and hidden thoughts in Saul's heart, pointing towards a much larger purpose ordained by God.

1 Samuel 9 19 Context

The events of 1 Samuel 9 take place in a transitional period for Israel, as the nation is moving from the era of judges to a monarchy. Saul, a young, humble man from the tribe of Benjamin, has been sent by his father Kish to search for lost donkeys. His search, initially a mundane task, unexpectedly leads him to the town where Samuel resides. Saul’s servant suggests consulting Samuel, renowned throughout the land as a seer (prophet) capable of revealing hidden things. Unbeknownst to Saul, the Lord had already informed Samuel the day before of Saul's imminent arrival and God's plan to anoint him as king over Israel to deliver them from the Philistines. This verse, 1 Samuel 9:19, marks the critical moment where Samuel identifies himself and begins to usher Saul into his God-ordained destiny, moving from the practical concern of lost donkeys to the grand design of Israel's kingship. The communal meal at the high place serves as a crucial point of consecration and fellowship before the divine revelation and anointing.

1 Samuel 9 19 Word analysis

• "I am the seer" (אֲנִי הָרֹאֶה - 'ani hā-rō’eh):
  • I: Emphatic self-identification.
  • Am: Simple declaration of existence and identity.
  • The seer: Hebrew ro'eh (רֹאֶה), literally "one who sees" or "the beholder." This term signifies a person who receives divine revelations through visions, a common designation for a prophet, often interchanged with navi (נָבִיא – prophet). It highlights Samuel's direct access to God's mind and secrets, distinguishing him from ordinary individuals and establishing his authority and credibility.
• "Go up before me" (עֲלֵה לְפָנַי - ‘aleh lə-fānāy):
  • Go up: Implies ascent, as high places were elevated, and indicates action.
  • Before me: Signifies respect, precedence, and a leader leading the way, setting an example. It's an invitation to a sacred space under Samuel's guidance.
• "to the high place" (לַבָּמָה - la-bāmāh):
  • The high place: Hebrew bamah (בָּמָה). In this context, it refers to a local sanctuary or cultic site used for legitimate worship and sacrifice, rather than a place of idolatry. These were common before the centralization of worship in Jerusalem. This was where Samuel officiated sacrifices and communions.
• "for you shall eat with me today" (כִּי אִתִּי הַיּוֹם תֹּאכֵל - kī ’itī hayōm tō’khēl):
  • For: Explains the reason for going to the high place.
  • You shall eat: Signifies an invitation to a shared meal, likely a communal sacrificial meal (zevah shelamim), which fosters fellowship and covenant. Eating together implies acceptance, peace, and often foreshadows a deeper bond or agreement.
  • With me: Underscores the personal connection and fellowship Samuel initiates with Saul.
  • Today: Implies immediate action and significance.
• "and tomorrow I will let you go" (וּבַבֹּקֶר אֲשַׁלְּחֶךָּ - ū-ḇab-bōqer ’ašalləḥeḵḵā):
  • And tomorrow: Sets a clear timeframe for the departure.
  • I will let you go: Assures Saul that his initial quest for the donkeys will be resolved, but importantly, after a crucial overnight stay.
• "and will tell you all that is in your heart" (וְהִגַּדְתִּי לְךָ כֹּל אֲשֶׁר בִּלְבָבְךָ - wə-higgadtī ləḵā kōl ’ăšer bi-lḇāḇəḵā):
  • And will tell you: Indicates a revelation or disclosure.
  • All that is in your heart: Hebrew b’levav’kha (בִּלְבָבְךָ). The "heart" in biblical thought encompasses not just emotions, but thoughts, intentions, desires, anxieties, and hidden concerns. Samuel's ability to know Saul's unexpressed thoughts points to supernatural, divine insight, proving his authenticity as a seer and assuring Saul of God's full knowledge of his situation and innermost being.

1 Samuel 9 19 Bonus section

The seemingly coincidental timing of Saul’s arrival in Samuel’s town (on the exact day God spoke to Samuel about Saul) showcases divine providence. God not only chose Saul but meticulously orchestrated the encounter. Saul’s initial quest for donkeys serves as a metaphor for a greater "lost" entity—Israel's true leadership, which God provides through His chosen one. The personal insight into Saul's "heart" establishes an immediate, non-arguable basis for Samuel's authority and God's intervention, making Saul ready to listen beyond his immediate, worldly concerns. This divine knowledge also sets a precedent for Saul, indicating that his future reign will be under God’s discerning eye, a factor that will become significant later in his kingship.

1 Samuel 9 19 Commentary

1 Samuel 9:19 is a pivotal verse, orchestrating the divine intersection of Samuel's prophetic authority with Saul's unsuspecting journey. Samuel’s simple declaration, "I am the seer," immediately establishes his credibility and spiritual standing. This sets the stage for a revelation beyond human capability. The invitation to the "high place" for a meal, though a common social ritual of the time, transforms into an act of sacred communion and consecration under Samuel's guidance. This shared meal prefigures the deeper covenant that is about to unfold.

The most striking element is Samuel’s promise to "tell you all that is in your heart." This is not merely about finding lost donkeys; it signifies Samuel’s divine access to Saul's innermost thoughts and anxieties, highlighting God's perfect knowledge of individual lives. This foreknowledge assures Saul that God is aware of his current concerns, yet simultaneously pivots his attention towards a much grander purpose. This intimate revelation validates Samuel's prophetic calling and underscores God's meticulous care in orchestrating even the mundane details (like lost donkeys) to align with His sovereign plan for national leadership. It portrays God actively working behind the scenes, drawing a seemingly ordinary person into an extraordinary destiny. This interaction serves as an object lesson in how God can lead individuals from minor concerns to monumental responsibilities through divine appointment and specific revelation.