1 Samuel 9:27 kjv
And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God.
1 Samuel 9:27 nkjv
As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead of us." And he went on. "But you stand here awhile, that I may announce to you the word of God."
1 Samuel 9:27 niv
As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead of us"?and the servant did so?"but you stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God."
1 Samuel 9:27 esv
As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to pass on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God."
1 Samuel 9:27 nlt
When they reached the edge of town, Samuel told Saul to send his servant on ahead. After the servant was gone, Samuel said, "Stay here, for I have received a special message for you from God."
1 Samuel 9 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:1 | The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people... | God calls individuals for special purpose. |
| Ex 3:5 | "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals... | Holiness of divine encounter. |
| Ex 19:20 | The LORD descended to Mount Sinai... calling Moses to the top... | Secluded places for divine revelation. |
| Deut 6:4 | "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. | Importance of hearing God's word. |
| Deut 18:18 | I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. | Prophetic office for delivering God's word. |
| 1 Sam 10:1 | Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him... | Direct anointing after divine revelation. |
| 1 Sam 15:23 | For rebellion is like the sin of divination... because you have rejected the word of the LORD... | Rebellion against God's word is serious. |
| 2 Sam 7:5 | Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house...? | God's word establishes leaders and plans. |
| 1 Ki 19:11-12 | The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain... then a still small voice." | Private, quiet revelation from God. |
| Jer 1:9 | Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me... "I have put my words in your mouth." | Prophets are God's mouthpiece. |
| Ezek 2:7 | You must speak my words to them... | Prophet's duty to speak God's exact words. |
| Amos 3:7 | Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. | God reveals His will through prophets. |
| Isa 6:8 | Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" | God calls individuals into service. |
| Mal 3:1 | "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me." | Preparation for a significant divine action. |
| Matt 3:13-17 | Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. | Divine calling/announcement often follows private/humble context. |
| Matt 17:1-9 | After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James... on a high mountain. | Private setting for major revelation (Transfiguration). |
| Lk 1:35-38 | The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you... For no word from God will ever fail." | God's word has power and will be fulfilled. |
| Lk 11:28 | He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." | Blessing comes from hearing and obeying. |
| Acts 9:3-6 | As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. | Private, unexpected divine encounter for a chosen one. |
| Rom 10:17 | Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. | Importance of receiving the word. |
| Gal 1:15-16 | But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me... | God sets people apart for specific purposes. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is alive and active... it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit... | The powerful and discerning nature of God's word. |
1 Samuel 9 verses
1 Samuel 9 27 Meaning
1 Samuel 9:27 marks a pivotal moment where Samuel, the prophet and last judge, sets the stage for a private and momentous divine revelation to Saul. As they reach the city's edge, Samuel instructs Saul's servant to move ahead, ensuring solitude and discretion for the sacred proclamation of God's word concerning Saul's unforeseen destiny as king. This action highlights the solemnity and divine origin of the message about to be delivered.
1 Samuel 9 27 Context
This verse takes place immediately after Samuel and Saul have shared a meal at the high place and lodged together in Samuel's house. Saul had initially come seeking lost donkeys, a mundane quest, and had inquired about the "seer" (prophet) Samuel in Ramah, upon his servant's suggestion. Unbeknownst to Saul, God had already informed Samuel the previous day that a man from Benjamin would arrive whom Samuel was to anoint as prince over Israel. Samuel has honored Saul, setting him apart at the feast. Now, as they leave the city, Samuel prepares to reveal the true purpose of Saul's divine encounter. The transition from public honoring to private revelation underscores the sacred and personal nature of God's communication about Israel's first king.
1 Samuel 9 27 Word analysis
- As they were going down: יֹרְדִים (yōr'dîm), a participle, indicating ongoing movement. They were descending from the high place/city into the lower plains, symbolizing a transition from their temporary abode to the next stage of Saul's journey.
- to the outskirts of the city: קְצֵה הָעִיר (qetsēh hā'îr). This phrase means "the edge/end of the city." It signifies a liminal space, removed from the immediate hustle and bustle, providing the necessary privacy for a critical, private revelation. This deliberate movement to a secluded spot emphasizes the importance and intimacy of what is to be spoken.
- Samuel said to Saul: A standard narrative marker. Samuel's words carry prophetic authority, establishing his role as God's spokesperson.
- 'Tell the servant to pass on ahead of us, and let him pass on; עֲבֹר לְפָנֵינוּ וְיַעֲבֹר (ʿăḇōr ləp̄ānênū wəyaʿăḇōr). "Pass on ahead of us" is a direct command. The repetition "and let him pass on" emphasizes the urgency and necessity of his removal, ensuring complete privacy. This action eliminates any witnesses to the divine pronouncement, making the upcoming event highly personal between Samuel, Saul, and God.
- but you stand still for a moment, וְאַתָּה עֲמֹד עַתָּה כַיּוֹם (wə'attâ ʿămōḏ ʿattâ kayyōm). "You stand still" is a command (imperative) for Saul to stop. "For a moment" (כַיּוֹם, kayyôm), literally "as today" or "just for now," implies a brief, yet concentrated and significant, pause. It commands his undivided attention and readiness to receive a momentous message.
- that I may proclaim to you: אַשְׁמִעֲךָ (ʾashmiʿakha). This is a causative verb, "I will cause you to hear." It is stronger than simply "speak" and implies a formal, authoritative delivery of information that is meant to be received and understood. It indicates a transmission of vital truth.
- the word of God.: דְּבַר אֱלֹהִים (dəḇar ʾĕlōhîm). This is the absolute core of the verse. It denotes a direct, divine communication, a revelation from the Almighty. This isn't merely Samuel's opinion or advice; it is the authoritative, truth-bearing message from God Himself, underscoring the sacred, prophetic, and ultimate source of Saul's impending anointing as king.
1 Samuel 9 27 Bonus Section
The strategic setting of this encounter—at the edge of the city, requiring the removal of even a close attendant—foreshadows the lonely burden and unique isolation that would accompany kingship in Israel. Kings, chosen by God, would often stand alone in their decisions, subject only to God's ultimate authority. This scene establishes the principle that kingship in Israel was not a human innovation but a divine appointment, with God's word, conveyed through His prophet, being the ultimate legitimizing factor. This direct divine involvement in selecting the king contrasted sharply with the surrounding nations where kingship was often inherited or taken by force, highlighting the uniqueness of God's covenant relationship with Israel.
1 Samuel 9 27 Commentary
1 Samuel 9:27 orchestrates a powerful moment of transition from the mundane to the divine. Samuel, a seasoned prophet of God, masterfully sets the stage for a revelation that will forever alter Saul's destiny and Israel's history. The deliberate move to the "outskirts of the city" symbolizes a necessary separation from common life, a withdrawal to a sacred, private space for an encounter with the divine. By sending the servant away, Samuel ensures no distractions, creating an intimate conduit for God's message. The command to Saul to "stand still for a moment" underscores the solemnity and the immediate need for complete attentiveness; what is about to be spoken demands full absorption. Ultimately, Samuel is not delivering his own counsel but "the word of God" – a direct, authoritative, and life-transforming pronouncement. This verse is the threshold of Saul's kingship, a powerful illustration of divine election, prophetic ministry, and the sovereign initiation of God's plans. It highlights that God often chooses to reveal profound truths in quiet, humble, and unexpected settings to those He has purposed for His will.