1 Samuel 9:7 kjv
Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?
1 Samuel 9:7 nkjv
Then Saul said to his servant, "But look, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread in our vessels is all gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?"
1 Samuel 9:7 niv
Saul said to his servant, "If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?"
1 Samuel 9:7 esv
Then Saul said to his servant, "But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?"
1 Samuel 9:7 nlt
"But we don't have anything to offer him," Saul replied. "Even our food is gone, and we don't have a thing to give him."
1 Samuel 9 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 23:38 | ...you shall offer your offerings to the Lord, all that you vow and all your freewill offerings, for burnt offerings... | Giving voluntary offerings to God's servants. |
| Num 16:15 | ...I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I wronged one of them. | Samuel later affirms his integrity in not taking gifts. |
| Deut 18:8 | They shall have equal portions to eat, besides what they receive from the sale of their patrimonial possessions. | Priests/Levites supported, prophets similar. |
| 1 Kgs 13:7 | Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” | Kings offering gifts/rewards to prophets. |
| 2 Kgs 4:42 | A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley... | Bringing firstfruits/food to a "man of God." |
| 2 Kgs 5:15-16 | Naaman returned... and said, "...Now therefore, please accept a present from your servant.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” | Elisha's refusal of gifts to highlight prophetic integrity and God's free work. |
| Matt 10:8 | ...Freely you have received, freely give. | Principle against monetizing divine gifts. |
| Lk 10:7 | ...Do not go from house to house. | Laborer deserves his wages; provision for workers. |
| 1 Cor 9:11-14 | If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? | Those who minister spiritual things should be supported materially. |
| Gal 6:6 | Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. | Supporting those who teach God's word. |
| 1 Tim 5:17-18 | Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. | Honoring and supporting spiritual leaders. |
| Matt 6:25-33 | Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ ...for your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. | God's provision and a call not to worry about material needs. |
| Psa 23:1 | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. | God provides all needs for His people. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | Divine assurance of God's abundant provision. |
| Lk 22:35 | When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything? They said, “Nothing.” | Christ's provision for disciples despite initial lack. |
| 1 Sam 3:19-20 | And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground... | Samuel as a true prophet of the Lord, acknowledged by all. |
| 1 Kgs 22:5-8 | Then Jehoshaphat said, “Please inquire first for the word of the Lord.” | Seeking God's word through a prophet. |
| Jer 21:2 | “Inquire of the Lord for us, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war against us...” | People inquiring of God through Jeremiah. |
| Mic 3:5-7 | Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets...who divine for money, and tell fortunes for pay... | Condemnation of prophets who prophesy for money, contrasting true prophetic integrity. |
| Prov 3:9-10 | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled... | Principle of honoring God with substance, leading to provision. |
| Matt 2:11 | And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts... | Bringing gifts to honor a king or significant person. |
| Gen 32:20 | And you shall say, ‘Indeed your servant Jacob is behind us.’” For he thought, “I may appease him with the present that goes before me..." | Gifts used to seek favor or appease someone. |
1 Samuel 9 verses
1 Samuel 9 7 Meaning
Saul questions how they can consult the man of God, a prophet, when they have exhausted their travel provisions (bread) and have no customary gift or present to offer him. This reveals Saul's immediate concern is practical and material, lacking the customary offering to seek prophetic counsel.
1 Samuel 9 7 Context
This verse is pivotal in the narrative of Saul's ascension to kingship. Chapter 9 begins with Saul, a tall and handsome young man from the tribe of Benjamin, being sent by his father Kish to search for lost donkeys. After an unfruitful search, Saul's servant suggests consulting a local "man of God" (Samuel) in a nearby city, as he has heard the prophet gives reliable guidance. It is at this point that Saul raises a practical concern: they lack the customary gift or offering expected when seeking counsel from a revered prophet. This moment highlights Saul's humble, grounded (perhaps overly pragmatic) disposition before his unexpected call to kingship, setting the stage for his divine appointment that unfolds moments later through Samuel. Historically, it was a common ancient Near Eastern practice to bring a gift or tribute when approaching a respected person, especially a religious figure, for guidance or an oracle; it signified respect and honor, not bribery, contrasting with the mercenary practices of some pagan diviners.
1 Samuel 9 7 Word analysis
- Then said Saul: Highlights Saul's voice, his immediate, practical concern and somewhat worldly perspective. He is a man thinking materially.
- to his servant: Shows the dialogue between Saul and his servant, indicating that Saul values his servant's input and that the servant often initiates practical solutions or insights. This suggests a master-servant dynamic based on respect for practicality.
- But, behold, if we go, (Hebrew: וְהִנֵּה֙ נֵלֵ֣ךְ - vehinneh nēlēkh): "Behold" (hinneh) is an interjection often used to draw attention to something important or surprising. Here, it introduces Saul's immediate and crucial counterpoint—his lack of means. It conveys a sense of realization or even resignation.
- what shall we bring the man?: Reveals the prevailing custom of bringing a gift or token when consulting a prophet or an authoritative figure. It wasn't about "paying" for a prophecy but honoring the prophet's person and office, acknowledging his role as God's representative.
- for the bread is spent (Hebrew: כִּֽי־הַלֶּ֨חֶם אָֽזַ֧ל - ki-hal·le·ḥem a·zal): "Bread" (lehem) refers to their provisions, indicating common travel food. "Spent" (azal) means "gone," "failed," or "exhausted." This underscores their practical inability to meet the social expectation of offering a gift due to their prolonged search and lack of resources.
- in our vessels: Refers to their travel bags or containers where their food was stored. It further emphasizes their destitution—they have physically run out of sustenance and the means to present an offering.
- and there is not a present (Hebrew: וּתְשֽׁוּרָה֙ אֵ֣ין - u·tě·šū·rāh ên): "Present" (těšûrâ) refers to a gift or tribute. It implies something offered out of respect or honor. Its absence creates Saul's dilemma, as he knows the custom. The lack of this "tribute" is a major impediment for Saul's practical mindset.
- to bring to the man of God: "Man of God" (îš hāʾĕlōhîm) is a respectful and common title for a prophet in the Old Testament, denoting someone uniquely chosen and empowered by God. This emphasizes the gravity of the person they seek—Samuel, a figure of great spiritual authority.
- what have we?: This rhetorical question reiterates their utter lack of resources. It conveys Saul's frustration and perhaps a touch of despair regarding their situation. It also underscores his reliance on earthly provisions rather than divine direction at this point.
1 Samuel 9 7 Bonus section
This verse offers a glimpse into Saul's pragmatic, rather than spiritual, way of thinking at the outset. He is focused on the logistics and material customs, showing a lack of immediate reliance on divine intervention or the idea that God might work despite their empty-handedness. This practicality, while initially appearing as a virtue of being responsible, eventually proves to be one of Saul's weaknesses, as his focus often remained on the visible and tangible rather than fully trusting in the unseen hand of God. The incident perfectly illustrates that God often brings about His will through means that appear insufficient or illogical from a human perspective, revealing His sovereignty over all circumstances, even a king's material deficit. The lack of a gift ultimately does not hinder God's purpose or Samuel's willingness to serve as a conduit for God's word.
1 Samuel 9 7 Commentary
Saul's concern in 1 Samuel 9:7 highlights a practical dilemma rooted in ancient cultural customs: the need to present a gift when approaching a man of spiritual authority like Samuel. This was not a payment for prophetic insight, which would be tantamount to divination for hire (condemned in Mic 3:5), but rather an act of honor and respect for God's chosen servant and the office he held. Saul's material focus on their empty bread-bags and lack of a present contrasts sharply with God's sovereign plan that was already unfolding to establish Saul as king, irrespective of human offerings or lack thereof. This moment implicitly foreshadows Saul's lifelong struggle between reliance on his own strength or external provisions and full trust in God's providence and directives. It underscores that God's plans are not contingent on human resources, but on His divine will, and that He can lead individuals through their very human limitations to fulfill His greater purpose.