1 Samuel 9 22

1 Samuel 9:22 kjv

And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlor, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.

1 Samuel 9:22 nkjv

Now Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and had them sit in the place of honor among those who were invited; there were about thirty persons.

1 Samuel 9:22 niv

Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited?about thirty in number.

1 Samuel 9:22 esv

Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons.

1 Samuel 9:22 nlt

Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and placed them at the head of the table, honoring them above the thirty special guests.

1 Samuel 9 verses

1 Samuel 9 22 Meaning

This verse describes the precise moment when Samuel publicly honored Saul by seating him and his servant in the most prominent position among the thirty invited guests at a communal sacrificial meal. This act was a significant prophetic sign, divinely orchestrated by God, to publicly affirm Saul's preeminent status as the chosen one before his anointing, signaling his destined leadership over Israel.

1 Samuel 9 22 Context

Chapter 9 of 1 Samuel narrates Saul's initial journey to find his father's lost donkeys, a seemingly mundane task that providentially leads him to Samuel, the prophet and judge. Samuel, having been divinely informed beforehand about Saul's impending arrival and God's choice of him as Israel's first king, prepares a special communal sacrificial meal for the town elders and respected men. This feast serves as the prelude to Saul's anointing, acting as a public, visible sign of the honor and position God is about to bestow upon him, contrasting his earlier obscurity and humbleness. Historically, ancient Near Eastern cultures placed great significance on communal meals and seating arrangements, which distinctly reflected social status, honor, and hierarchical position within a community. Samuel's act of seating Saul in the "chiefest place" was thus a profoundly symbolic gesture, unmistakable to all present.

1 Samuel 9 22 Word analysis

• "And he brought Saul and his servant":
  • "He": Refers to Samuel, highlighting his central, active role as God's prophetic agent. Samuel's actions here are divinely directed and highly significant.
  • "Saul and his servant": This is noteworthy because it was highly unusual to seat a servant in a place of such honor alongside the master at a formal gathering. This unusual gesture further emphasizes the extraordinary recognition given to Saul, extending even to his immediate companion, signifying the completeness of the favor being bestowed upon him. It could also prevent immediate suspicion or inquiry about Saul's new prominence.
• "into the guest chamber":
  • Hebrew: Lishkat (לשכה), generally meaning a side-chamber, hall, or room. In this context, it refers to a designated banqueting hall or communal dining area, typically found at a "high place" associated with sacrificial rituals. This was a formal setting for a significant meal, not merely a temporary lodging or casual meeting place.
• "and made them sit":
  • Hebrew: Hoshîb (הוֹשִׁיב), the Hiphil (causative) form of the verb "to sit." This indicates that Samuel actively and intentionally directed and assigned their seating, rather than allowing them to choose. This further underscores Samuel's authority and deliberate intent to bestow this honor upon Saul, reinforcing the divine orchestration of the event.
• "in the chiefest place":
  • Hebrew: Ba-ro'sh ha-yoševîm (בְּרֹאשׁ הַיֹּשְׁבִים), literally "at the head of those seated" or "at the forefront of the guests." This signifies the most honored, prominent, and visible seat at a feast. It is the position reserved for the most esteemed person present. This public act immediately elevates Saul from an unknown individual to the most honored guest, a clear indication of his future elevated status.
• "among them that were bidden":
  • Hebrew: Hamzumanim (הַמְזֻמָּנִים), "the invited ones." This specifies that the gathering consisted of specially invited guests, not a general assembly. These would have been important men, elders, or prominent citizens of the town, giving greater weight and witness to the honor publicly bestowed upon Saul.
• "which were about thirty persons":
  • The number "thirty" suggests a select, representative, and likely influential group of community leaders or respected individuals from the town. This specific number highlights the formal, public, and well-witnessed nature of Saul's initial elevation. It indicates that the impending news of his kingship would have immediate credibility and wide awareness within the community, signifying the beginning of his leadership over all Israel.

1 Samuel 9 22 Bonus section

The careful staging of this event by Samuel underscores the Lord's detailed providence in selecting leaders for His people. Samuel, acting directly under God's instruction, skillfully manages the initial reveal of Saul's destined kingship. The pre-feast honor allowed Saul to be subtly recognized and accepted by the community's leading men before the weighty news of his kingship was even declared, paving the way for a smoother acceptance. The communal feast itself, being tied to a sacrificial ceremony, imbues the event with a sacred and covenantal significance, highlighting that Saul's appointment was indeed from God. This passage beautifully illustrates how God uses seemingly mundane circumstances—like lost donkeys—to bring about His grand, often surprising, redemptive purposes, elevating humble and unlikely individuals for His glory.

1 Samuel 9 22 Commentary

1 Samuel 9:22 is a critical turning point in the narrative of Saul's rise to kingship. Samuel's deliberate act of seating Saul, an unknown visitor, and his servant in the most esteemed position at a public feast was a profound, divinely orchestrated sign of God's selection. This pre-anointing honor was not mere politeness but a powerful, prophetic gesture designed to publicly establish Saul's prominence and legitimate his future royal authority before the key community figures—the "thirty persons" who represented the town's leadership. This intentional public elevation serves as an early endorsement, preparing both Saul and the community for his coming reign. It teaches that God initiates His plans sovereignly, using human agents like Samuel to signify divine choice and authority, even when it appears contrary to conventional social norms.