1 Samuel 9 4

1 Samuel 9:4 kjv

And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.

1 Samuel 9:4 nkjv

So he passed through the mountains of Ephraim and through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.

1 Samuel 9:4 niv

So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them.

1 Samuel 9:4 esv

And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them.

1 Samuel 9:4 nlt

So Saul took one of the servants and traveled through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, the Shaalim area, and the entire land of Benjamin, but they couldn't find the donkeys anywhere.

1 Samuel 9 verses

1 Samuel 9 4 Meaning

This verse details the methodical yet humanly unfruitful journey of Saul and his servant as they search for his father's lost donkeys across various regions in Israel, including the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, Shaalim, and Benjamin. It highlights the diligence of Saul in performing this menial task and serves as a crucial backdrop to God's divine orchestration, demonstrating that seemingly random events are part of His preordained plan to lead Saul to Samuel and his destiny as the first king of Israel. The inability to find the donkeys despite extensive searching is providentially intended to redirect Saul.

1 Samuel 9 4 Context

1 Samuel chapter 9 introduces Saul, a young man from the tribe of Benjamin. The chapter opens with his father, Kish, sending Saul and a servant to search for their lost donkeys. This seemingly ordinary and mundane errand serves as the divinely appointed catalyst for Saul to encounter Samuel, the prophet, who has already been instructed by God to anoint Israel's first king. Verse 4 details the extent of Saul's initial diligent search through specific regions. Historically, this period marks a crucial transition for Israel from the loose confederacy under judges to a centralized monarchy, initiated by the people's demand for a king. God uses this search for lost animals as the precise means by which Saul, unwittingly, is led directly to his prophetic destiny.

1 Samuel 9 4 Word analysis

• And he passed through: (Hebrew: וַיַּעֲבֹר wayya‘ăvor) The verb "passed through" (עָבַר ‘avar) implies motion and transition. Its repetition emphasizes a diligent, comprehensive, and perhaps tiresome journey. It indicates Saul's active participation in the search, covering significant ground. This action, though mundane, is divinely directed.
• the hill country of Ephraim: (Hebrew: הַר אֶפְרַיִם har ’ephrayim) "Har" means "mountain" or "hill country." Ephraim was a prominent and fertile tribe, centrally located, north of Benjamin. Its hill country would have provided ample hiding spots or places for donkeys to wander, suggesting a difficult and thorough search. Mentioning this area specifically establishes the breadth of their initial search, taking them far from their home territory in Benjamin.
• and passed through: (Hebrew: וַיַּעֲבֹר wayya‘ăvor) Again, reinforcing the systematic and persistent nature of the search.
• the land of Shalishah: (Hebrew: אֶרֶץ שָׁלִשָׁה ’erets shaliyshah) "Erets" means "land." Shalishah's exact location is uncertain, possibly northeast of Benjamin. The name can relate to "three" or "third," but its significance here is primarily geographic, pointing to a distinct, identified territory, further illustrating the scope of their endeavor.
• but they did not find them: (Hebrew: וְלֹא מָצָא wəlō’ mātsā’) This phrase is crucial. "Lo" (not) and "matsa" (found) signify the failure of their human efforts. This negative outcome is central to God's plan, as it prevents Saul from returning home and instead compels him onward, unknowingly, toward Samuel. It highlights the divine hand in directing circumstances.
• Then they passed through: (Hebrew: וַיַּעַבְרוּ wayya‘avrû) Shifting to "they" (Saul and his servant) reiterates the continued collaborative effort in the search.
• the land of Shaalim: (Hebrew: אֶרֶץ שַׁעֲלִים ’erets sha‘aliym) "Shaalim" can mean "foxes" or "jackals," implying a desolate or wild region, possibly reflecting the difficulty of the search. Its precise location is also obscure, again emphasizing the broad and unfruitful nature of their journey.
• and they were not there: (Hebrew: וָאָיִן wā’āyin) Similar to "did not find them," this emphatic negation "not there" further solidifies the lack of success, driving the narrative towards the pivotal encounter. It creates a sense of exasperation and increasing futility from a human perspective.
• And he passed through: (Hebrew: וַיַּעֲבֹר wayya‘ăvor) Reverting to "he" (Saul) underscores his leadership in this prolonged quest, highlighting his personal responsibility.
• the land of Benjamin: (Hebrew: אֶרֶץ בִּנְיָמִין ’erets Binyāmīn) Saul's home tribe. This is significant because they have circled back towards home, but the donkeys are still not found, compelling them to consider alternatives. This proximity to his homeland, yet continuing failure, sets the stage for the servant's suggestion to consult the "man of God."
• but they did not find them: (Hebrew: וְלֹא מָצָא wəlō’ mātsā’) The recurring phrase emphasizes the absolute lack of success by their own strength, which is vital for the narrative progression as it leads directly to the divine intervention of Samuel.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them.": This initial segment sets the pattern of persistent effort followed by human failure. It indicates a wide-ranging, difficult search through diverse terrains and known tribal lands, covering a considerable distance.
• "Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there.": This reinforces the previous pattern of fruitless searching, extending their reach into yet another distinct territory. The repeated pattern highlights the providential guidance that kept the donkeys from being found, ensuring Saul would continue his journey in the predetermined direction.
• "And he passed through the land of Benjamin, but they did not find them.": Returning to his own tribal land without success underscores the culmination of their human efforts and signals a turning point. It suggests that they are nearing the limit of their search and creates the opportune moment for the servant to suggest seeking prophetic help, aligning perfectly with God's ultimate plan to introduce Saul to Samuel near Benjamin's border (Ramah).

1 Samuel 9 4 Bonus section

The journey depicted in 1 Samuel 9:4 also serves to introduce the young Saul, not as a future warrior-king, but as a faithful and diligent son. This establishes his initial character and offers a contrast to his later fall from grace. The naming of specific geographical locations like the "hill country of Ephraim" indicates that this was no brief, local search, but an arduous, multi-day endeavor that tested Saul's perseverance. The fact that the donkeys are "not found" emphasizes that their disappearance and the duration of their absence are divinely ordained, serving as an unseen leash drawing Saul ever closer to Samuel. This scenario sets a profound precedent for how God often initiates significant changes in an individual's life through everyday circumstances and the unfulfillment of immediate goals.

1 Samuel 9 4 Commentary

1 Samuel 9:4 vividly portrays Saul's diligence and obedience in a seemingly ordinary domestic task. The extensive and unsuccessful search for the lost donkeys across various named regions – Ephraim, Shalishah, Shaalim, and finally, Benjamin – is not a narrative filler but a testament to divine providence. God uses this mundane errand, and the frustration of human failure to find the donkeys, to meticulously guide Saul towards Ramah and his predetermined encounter with Samuel. Saul's unwavering commitment to his father's request, despite the growing futility, shows a humble and responsible character before the burdens of kingship reshape him. This narrative illustrates that God's overarching plan often unfolds through commonplace, daily occurrences, where seemingly unrelated events align to fulfill His sovereign purpose.