1 Samuel 9 23

1 Samuel 9:23 kjv

And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

1 Samuel 9:23 nkjv

And Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, 'Set it apart.' "

1 Samuel 9:23 niv

Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside."

1 Samuel 9:23 esv

And Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, 'Put it aside.'"

1 Samuel 9:23 nlt

Samuel then instructed the cook to bring Saul the finest cut of meat, the piece that had been set aside for the guest of honor.

1 Samuel 9 verses

1 Samuel 9 23 Meaning

This verse details Samuel's direct instruction to the cook at the feast concerning a specific, pre-reserved portion. It signifies Samuel's foreknowledge, acting on divine revelation, and preparing a special honor for Saul, who is yet unaware of his destiny. The act of setting aside a choicest portion for a specific individual before the meal begins indicates a pre-arranged divine favor and a visible sign of future elevation.

1 Samuel 9 23 Context

1 Samuel chapter 9 sets the stage for Saul's anointing as the first king of Israel. Earlier in the chapter, Saul, a young man from the tribe of Benjamin, is on a journey with his servant to search for his father's lost donkeys. Their search inadvertently leads them to Ramah, the city where Samuel, the prophet, resides. Unbeknownst to Saul, the Lord had revealed to Samuel the day prior (1 Sam 9:15-16) that "about this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin" who would be appointed to govern His people Israel. Therefore, when Saul approaches Samuel, Samuel immediately recognizes him as the chosen one. This particular verse takes place during a communal feast arranged by Samuel, likely a sacred meal for the town elders or a thank offering. Saul, despite his initial humility, is given the place of honor (v. 22). Samuel's instruction to the cook in verse 23 reveals that the exceptional treatment of Saul, including the specific portion, was not spontaneous but meticulously pre-planned and executed according to divine foresight and command, setting him apart for his new role.

1 Samuel 9 23 Word analysis

• And Samuel (וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל - vayyomer Sh'mu'el): "Samuel" means "heard by God" or "God has heard." As God's established prophet and judge, his words carry divine authority and revelation. This opening emphasizes that the command comes from a divinely appointed figure.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): Simple verb "and he said." Indicates a direct, authoritative instruction from Samuel.
• to the cook (אֶל־הַטַּבָּח - el-haṭṭabbāḥ): The Hebrew word ṭabbāḥ (טַבָּח) derives from a root meaning "to slaughter" or "to butcher," hence, one who slaughters and prepares meat, often in the context of sacrifices or feasts. This person holds a significant role in handling the meat and serving the feast, making Samuel's instruction specific and targeted. The fact that the cook had previously handled the portion shows a level of trust and pre-arrangement.
• Bring (תֵּן - tēn): An imperative verb meaning "give" or "set forth." It's a direct command, indicating the immediacy and precision required.
• the portion (הַמָּנָה - hammānāh): The Hebrew mānāh (מָנָה) refers to a specifically allotted "portion," "share," or "part." It implies something specifically designated or set aside for an individual. In this context, it is not just any piece of meat, but a choice, reserved portion, signifying great honor and distinction. This acts as a tangible sign of divine favor.
• which I gave you (אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לָךְ - asher nātattī lāk): "Which I gave to you." This phrase indicates a past action. Samuel had already personally handed this portion to the cook at an earlier point, reinforcing the deliberate and pre-planned nature of this honor for Saul. This highlights Samuel's obedient fulfillment of God's prior instructions (1 Sam 9:15-16).
• of which I said to you (אֲשֶׁר אָמַרְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ - asher āmārtī ēleyḵā): "Which I said to you." This reinforces the previous point. Not only was the portion given, but a specific instruction to "keep it" was also spoken. The double emphasis on a prior act of "giving" and "speaking" underlines Samuel's precise, pre-meditated preparation based on divine revelation, ensuring there's no misunderstanding or accidental serving.
• "Keep this with you" (שְׁמֹר אוֹתָהּ עִמָּךְ - sh'mor otah 'immaḵ): The verb shāmar (שָׁמַר) means "to keep," "to guard," "to observe," or "to preserve." It implies holding something carefully, with importance, for a specific purpose or future time. The phrase "with you" ('immaḵ) suggests it was kept near the cook or readily accessible, waiting for this very moment. This shows the careful preservation and readiness for Saul's arrival.
• Words-group analysis: The cumulative weight of "the portion," "which I gave you," "of which I said to you," and "keep this with you" strongly emphasizes Samuel's meticulous execution of God's plan. It’s a deliberate act of pre-preparation, signaling a significant, divine appointment. The precise instructions given to the cook, combined with the earlier seating of Saul at the head of the feast, are concrete actions that publicly distinguish Saul even before his anointing, confirming his selection as Israel's first king in the eyes of those present. This sets apart Saul from everyone else as the chosen one.

1 Samuel 9 23 Bonus section

• The specific "portion" mentioned here is often understood to be the "shoulder" referenced in the very next verse (1 Sam 9:24), which was traditionally a choicest cut, sometimes even offered as part of a priest's due or a sacred offering (Lev 7:32, Deut 18:3). This detail further underscores the extraordinary honor bestowed upon Saul, signifying his sacred and divinely appointed role as king.
• The fact that this special treatment occurs during a communal feast, likely a fellowship offering (shelem), enhances its significance. Eating together often symbolized covenantal communion and acceptance within a community. By giving Saul this reserved portion and seating him in the place of honor among the city elders, Samuel was publicly marking Saul's future position, preparing both Saul and the community for his leadership role.
• This moment prefigures God's selection and honor of future leaders and chosen people, much like how specific roles and blessings are prepared in the Kingdom of God for those who follow Him (e.g., Jesus preparing a place for believers, John 14:2-3). It highlights that divine honor often precedes public recognition and is based on God's initiative, not human merit.

1 Samuel 9 23 Commentary

1 Samuel 9:23 provides a significant insight into God's sovereign hand in the appointment of leaders. Samuel's interaction with the cook is a quiet but powerful demonstration of divine orchestration. The setting aside of the "portion" was not an arbitrary act of hospitality but a precise fulfillment of a divine command known only to Samuel and, by implication, the cook entrusted with this specific duty. This portion, likely the choicest piece of meat, served as a physical manifestation of Saul's elevated status and the special favor of God resting upon him even before his formal anointing. It was a tangible sign that God had "chosen" him (as implied in the preparation, fulfilled in v. 24 with the "shoulder") and confirmed His foreknowledge. This scene illustrates that God prepares a way for those He chooses, often working through humble beginnings or seemingly mundane events to bring about His divine purposes. It exemplifies that God works in deliberate and predetermined ways to fulfill His plan, showing a sovereign ordering of circumstances, down to the details of a meal.