1 Samuel 9 3

1 Samuel 9:3 kjv

And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

1 Samuel 9:3 nkjv

Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, "Please take one of the servants with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys."

1 Samuel 9:3 niv

Now the donkeys belonging to Saul's father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, "Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys."

1 Samuel 9:3 esv

Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, "Take one of the young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys."

1 Samuel 9:3 nlt

One day Kish's donkeys strayed away, and he told Saul, "Take a servant with you, and go look for the donkeys."

1 Samuel 9 verses

1 Samuel 9 3 Meaning

1 Samuel 9:3 describes a seemingly mundane domestic incident where Kish, Saul's father, instructs Saul to search for their lost asses. This simple task serves as the divine catalyst for Saul's journey, orchestrated by God, to meet the prophet Samuel and be anointed as Israel's first king. What appears as a trivial concern for lost livestock is, in actuality, the precise means by which divine providence directs Saul into his predestined role, revealing how God's grand plan unfolds through the ordinary affairs of human life.

1 Samuel 9 3 Context

First Samuel chapter 9 introduces Saul, a choice and handsome young man from the tribe of Benjamin. The previous chapter details Israel's fervent demand for a king to rule over them, like all other nations, rejecting God's direct rule (1 Sam 8:5-7). God, though displeased, instructs Samuel to grant their request, warning them of the burdens a king would impose (1 Sam 8:10-18). It is in this backdrop of national longing and divine concession that 1 Samuel 9:3 presents the seemingly trivial crisis of Kish's lost asses. This incident immediately shifts the narrative from the theological debate of kingship to the personal, practical, and everyday life of Saul, revealing how God's divine hand masterfully intertwines with human circumstances to accomplish His sovereign will. This specific verse initiates Saul's unforeseen journey that leads him directly to Samuel and his destiny as Israel's first king.

1 Samuel 9 3 Word analysis

• And the asses of Kish, Saul's father, were lost:

  • And the asses (אֲתֹנוֹת - athonot): The Hebrew word specifies "she-donkeys." Donkeys were common pack animals and a significant measure of wealth in ancient Israel (cf. Gen 12:16, Ex 4:20). The specific mention of female donkeys might suggest they were particularly valuable for breeding or milk, indicating Kish's prosperity and the genuine value of what was lost. Their loss was a substantial domestic issue.
  • of Kish, Saul's father: Kish (קִישׁ - Qish) was a wealthy and influential man, described in 1 Sam 9:1 as a "mighty man of valor" (גִּבֹּור חַיִל - gibbor chayil), though this phrase likely refers to his stature or wealth rather than military prowess. His instruction to Saul highlights the patriarchal family structure where the son dutifully carries out his father's commands. Kish serves as the unwitting human catalyst for the divine plan.
  • Saul (שָׁאוּל - Sha’ul): The name means "asked" or "desired," a poignant detail given that Israel "asked" for a king (1 Sam 8:5-6). Unbeknownst to Saul, he is about to become the answer to Israel's demand, an irony interwoven by the narrative.
  • were lost (אָבָדוּ - 'avadu): This Hebrew verb implies that they were genuinely missing, vanished, or had gone astray, not just temporarily misplaced. This genuine loss necessitates a diligent search, which is the exact journey God intends for Saul. It highlights the problem's reality and sets in motion a real quest.

• And Kish said to Saul his son, "Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go seek the asses."

  • "Take now one of the servants with you": Kish’s instruction reveals his practical foresight and status (having servants available). The presence of a servant, though often uncredited, is vital for a long journey, witness, and assistance.
  • "and arise, go seek": These are direct commands. "Arise" (קוּם - qum) signifies prompt action, movement, or initiation of a journey. "Go seek" (וְלֵךְ בַּקֵּשׁ - velekh baqqesh) emphasizes the active, purposeful pursuit of the lost animals. This immediate call to action propels Saul out of his home environment and into the broader landscape where his destiny awaits.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "the asses... were lost. And Kish said... go seek the asses": This phrase underlines the problem that precipitates the action. The loss is genuine, the instruction clear, setting up the immediate goal of Saul's journey. This mundane crisis acts as a cover for the real, divine purpose of Saul’s travel.
  • "Saul his son, 'Take now... go seek'": This highlights the dutiful relationship between father and son. Saul's obedience to this domestic command is a prerequisite for his larger, unknown, divine appointment. It grounds the extraordinary events that follow in the simplicity of an ordinary, dutiful action. The father’s command becomes the divine call.

1 Samuel 9 3 Bonus section

• The Irony of "Lost and Found": The physical search for lost asses (Hebrew: ’athonoth, lost property) directly leads Saul to "find" something far greater: his divine calling and the kingship of Israel. The irony lies in the dramatic difference between the intended outcome of the journey (finding animals) and its actual, divinely-purposed outcome (finding a kingdom). Saul "loses" himself to the mundane task but "finds" his identity and destiny.
• Preparation through Perseverance: The very act of seeking lost animals for three days (as revealed in subsequent verses, 1 Sam 9:4) involved physical exertion, endurance, and possibly frustration. This journey serves as a practical, albeit unknown, preparation for Saul's future role as king, demanding perseverance and resourcefulness. God prepares individuals for significant roles even through humble tasks.
• God's Sovereignty over Detail: The specific type of animal (she-donkeys) and the familial relationships underscore God's meticulous attention to every detail in fulfilling His plan. Nothing is left to chance in His grand design.

1 Samuel 9 3 Commentary

1 Samuel 9:3 encapsulates the profound theme of divine providence weaving through the fabric of ordinary human life. The apparent misadventure of lost donkeys is no accident, but a carefully orchestrated step in God's grand plan for Israel. Saul's dutiful obedience to his father's mundane request unwittingly places him exactly where God intends for him to be, to meet Samuel and be anointed as king. This verse exemplifies how God often uses seemingly insignificant, everyday events—a domestic problem, a chore, a simple command—as the exact means by which He unfolds His sovereign purposes, demonstrating His complete control over circumstances, whether big or small. It also subtly prepares the audience for the coming narrative's irony: the future king, the one Israel desired, begins his path not in glory, but on a humble search for stray animals, unknowingly heading towards a kingdom.