1 Samuel 9 24

1 Samuel 9:24 kjv

And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.

1 Samuel 9:24 nkjv

So the cook took up the thigh with its upper part and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Here it is, what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat; for until this time it has been kept for you, since I said I invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

1 Samuel 9:24 niv

So the cook took up the thigh with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion from the time I said, 'I have invited guests.'?" And Saul dined with Samuel that day.

1 Samuel 9:24 esv

So the cook took up the leg and what was on it and set them before Saul. And Samuel said, "See, what was kept is set before you. Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

1 Samuel 9:24 nlt

So the cook brought in the meat and placed it before Saul. "Go ahead and eat it," Samuel said. "I was saving it for you even before I invited these others!" So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

1 Samuel 9 verses

1 Samuel 9 24 Meaning

This verse details the specific and honorable provision made for Saul at the feast hosted by Samuel. It signifies that Saul was not just an invited guest, but the central figure for whom the choicest portion of the meal—a highly prized cut, symbolizing favor and preeminence—had been divinely and intentionally reserved. Samuel’s instruction to Saul to eat confirms his unique status and reveals the pre-arranged nature of this encounter, all set according to God’s precise timing.

1 Samuel 9 24 Context

Chapter 9 of 1 Samuel narrates the divine orchestrating of events that lead to Saul, a seemingly ordinary man, meeting the prophet Samuel. Saul, searching for his father’s lost donkeys, is unknowingly led by God to Ramah. Here, Samuel, who had already been divinely informed by God the day before that He would send a man from Benjamin to be king, waits for him. The town is celebrating a sacrificial feast, and Samuel, as the presiding figure, has specifically reserved a prominent place and a special portion for an awaited guest. This verse serves as the culmination of these preparations, revealing to Saul his elevated status and impending destiny as Israel's first king, directly ordained by God through Samuel. Historically, this occurs at a pivotal moment in Israel's history, transitioning from the period of judges to the monarchy, reflecting Israel's demand for a king.

1 Samuel 9 24 Word Analysis

• "So the cook took up": The Hebrew ṭabbāḥ (טַבָּח) denotes a slaughterer or chief cook, often a significant servant in an important household. This highlights the solemnity and official nature of the feast, not a casual meal. The immediate action implies a pre-arranged command from Samuel.
• "the leg and what was on it": The Hebrew šôq (שׁוֹק) refers to the upper part of the hind leg, often translated as 'shoulder' or 'thigh'. In ancient Near Eastern sacrificial and communal meals, the shoulder was a highly prized portion, traditionally reserved for honored guests or priests. "What was on it" (e.g., the fat, choice pieces) further emphasizes that this was not merely a bone, but a substantial, luxurious serving. It physically embodies the special honor bestowed upon Saul.
• "and set it before Saul": This public act signifies Saul's preeminent status among the thirty or so invited guests. It’s an immediate, visual declaration of his importance.
• "And Samuel said": Samuel’s words carry prophetic authority. He is not merely narrating but revealing God’s divine plan and the significance of the act.
• "Here is what was kept for you": The Hebrew root nāṣar (נָצַר), meaning "to keep, guard, preserve," underscores that this portion was reserved for Saul, not merely randomly assigned. This conveys divine foresight and a specific appointment for Saul. It wasn't accidental but divinely preordained.
• "Set it before you and eat": This is an imperative, a command from the prophet. It is an act of acceptance of the honor and, implicitly, acceptance of the role signified by that honor.
• "for it has been kept for you until the appointed time": The phrase "appointed time" comes from the Hebrew môʿēd (מוֹעֵד), a term frequently used for divine appointments, feasts, or fixed seasons. This is crucial: Saul's kingship and this moment were not spontaneous but had been fixed in God's calendar. It reinforces God’s sovereign control over history and leadership, fulfilling His divine schedule.
• "since I said, 'I have invited the people.'": This part further magnifies Samuel's prophetic accuracy and divine communion. Long before Saul arrived or was even aware of his destiny, Samuel, having received divine instruction, had organized the feast specifically with Saul in mind as the guest of honor, implying a precise prophetic understanding of God's timing and choice. It demonstrates Samuel’s obedience and faith in God’s word, even before its visible manifestation.

1 Samuel 9 24 Bonus Section

• Divine Initiative and Provision: Even though Israel desired a king "like all the nations," God actively and specifically provided for their request through His chosen prophet, Samuel. This verse emphasizes that God was not reacting in haste but acting according to a divine blueprint, preparing a king, a kingdom, and even a meal portion long in advance.
• Theological Parallel to Covenant Meals: The sharing of this specific meal can be seen as a precursor to or reflection of covenantal meals, where eating together signifies acceptance, intimacy, and often the establishment of a special relationship or status. Here, Saul's eating of the specially prepared food marks his inauguration into a sacred, though not yet formalized, leadership role.
• Reversal of Expectations: Saul was looking for donkeys and expected nothing more than possibly a word about their whereabouts. Instead, he finds himself seated as the chief guest, being honored beyond imagination. This unexpected honor highlights God's surprising ways of working and elevating the humble (1 Sam 9:21).

1 Samuel 9 24 Commentary

This verse climaxes the divinely orchestrated events leading to Saul's anointing as Israel's first king. Samuel’s clear statement and action in offering the reserved, choicest portion, symbolizes Saul's unique selection and elevated position, ordained by God from the beginning. It highlights God's sovereignty, showing that the establishment of the monarchy, while a human request, was meticulously planned and brought about by divine initiative and perfect timing, embodied in the term môʿēd. Samuel’s prophetic role is affirmed, as he reveals a hidden purpose and an intentional preparation for Saul, long before Saul knew of it himself. This act not only honored Saul but set the stage for his public anointing, signaling to all present (and later, to all Israel) that this was a man set apart by divine will. The very specific provision speaks of God’s care and meticulous planning, ensuring that even the details of a meal signify a momentous divine appointment.