1 Samuel 9 8

1 Samuel 9:8 kjv

And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.

1 Samuel 9:8 nkjv

And the servant answered Saul again and said, "Look, I have here at hand one-fourth of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way."

1 Samuel 9:8 niv

The servant answered him again. "Look," he said, "I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take."

1 Samuel 9:8 esv

The servant answered Saul again, "Here, I have with me a quarter of a shekel of silver, and I will give it to the man of God to tell us our way."

1 Samuel 9:8 nlt

"Well," the servant said, "I have one small silver piece. We can at least offer it to the man of God and see what happens!"

1 Samuel 9 verses

1 Samuel 9 8 Meaning

This verse recounts the servant's practical suggestion to Saul. As they were out of food and resources while searching for donkeys, the servant offers a small sum, "the fourth part of a shekel of silver," to consult with the "man of God" (Samuel). The purpose of this consultation was specific: to ask the prophet for direction concerning their lost donkeys and their overall "way," implying a desire for guidance beyond just finding the animals. This humble monetary offering by the servant becomes the catalyst for Saul's momentous encounter with Samuel, setting in motion God's divine plan for Israel's kingship.

1 Samuel 9 8 Context

1 Samuel chapter 9 opens with Saul, a tall and handsome young man, tasked with finding his father's lost donkeys. Saul and his servant traverse significant distances over several days, growing increasingly frustrated and weary. By verse 8, they are near the city of Ramah (implied), having run out of provisions for their journey home. The servant's suggestion to seek the "man of God" is a pragmatic move born of desperation and the prevailing custom of consulting prophets or seers for guidance on everyday matters, including finding lost items. This simple, seemingly trivial act—searching for donkeys and needing directions—is providentially used by God to bring Saul before Samuel, who had already been divinely instructed to anoint Israel's first king. The historical context reflects a time when tribal leadership was giving way to a desire for monarchy, and prophetic figures like Samuel served as intermediaries for divine communication in a society lacking explicit divine law for establishing kings.

1 Samuel 9 8 Word analysis

• And again the servant answered Saul, and said:
  • Signifies the servant's active role and initiative. He's not just following orders but offering practical counsel. His earlier suggestion (v. 6) to consult a "man of God" for direction concerning their lost animals led to Saul's hesitation about the lack of an offering.
• Behold, I have here at hand:
  • Hebrew: Hinneih yesh-li bi-yadi (הִנֵּה יֵשׁ־לִי בְיָדִי) - "Look, there is for me in my hand." This emphasizes immediate availability and a personal possession. It reflects a tangible solution offered on the spot.
• the fourth part of a shekel of silver:
  • Hebrew: reva sheqel késeph (רֶבַע שֶׁקֶל כֶּסֶף).
    • reva (רֶבַע): Quarter.
    • sheqel (שֶׁקֶל): A unit of weight and currency in ancient Israel, roughly 11.5 grams. A full shekel of silver was a common monetary unit, but "a fourth part" indicates a small, almost insignificant sum, equivalent to about two or three days' wages for a laborer, or just enough for a very basic meal or small offering.
    • késeph (כֶּסֶף): Silver. The primary form of currency.
  • Significance: This small sum highlights Saul's and the servant's limited financial resources at that moment, demonstrating their poverty and the simple reality of their journey. It also suggests that consultation fees for prophets could be quite modest, not requiring significant wealth. This contrasts with practices of high-paying diviners in other ancient Near Eastern cultures, emphasizing Samuel's humility.
• that will I give:
  • Shows the servant's willingness to sacrifice his own meager funds for the sake of finding direction, implying a certain faith or belief in the prophet's ability. This selfless act enables the encounter that changes Israel's history.
• to the man of God:
  • Hebrew: la-ish ha-Elohim (לָאִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים).
    • ish (אִישׁ): Man.
    • Elohim (אֱלֹהִים): God.
  • This title is often applied to prophets in the Old Testament, denoting someone who stands in a special relationship with God and speaks His word (e.g., Moses, Elijah, Elisha). It distinguishes Samuel as one consecrated to divine service, unlike a mere magician or local fortune-teller. It emphasizes his authority and divine commission. The polemic here is subtle, but it implicitly contrasts Yahweh's prophets, who convey true divine will, with the many pagan diviners and false prophets common in the region.
• to tell us our way:
  • Hebrew: lehagid lanu et darkenu (לְהַגִּיד לָנוּ אֶת־דַּרְכֵּנוּ).
    • lehagid (לְהַגִּיד): To tell, make known.
    • darkenu (דַּרְכֵּנוּ): Our way, our path.
  • This phrase initially refers to their literal journey and finding the donkeys, but in a deeper, ironic sense, it refers to Saul's true "way" – his destiny to become king. This prophetic guidance is not just for trivial matters but holds immense significance for their future and the nation's. The request shows a practical reliance on divine wisdom for guidance, even in ordinary affairs.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God: This sequence underscores the servant's practical piety and initiative. He isn't waiting for Saul to solve the problem; he's proposing a tangible solution using his personal resources. It shows the custom of presenting a gift (not strictly a "fee") when seeking a prophet's counsel. This offering was a token of respect and an acknowledgment of the prophet's time and effort. While legitimate prophetic ministry wasn't "for sale," voluntary offerings were accepted to support the prophet.
• to tell us our way: This request reveals a dependency on divine insight for guidance. It encapsulates the role of a prophet: not only to deliver God's message for major events but also to provide practical, immediate direction for the challenges of daily life. The request also foreshadows the true "way" Samuel is about to reveal to Saul, which is far grander than merely finding lost donkeys.

1 Samuel 9 8 Bonus section

The narrative here subtly highlights divine providence working through everyday circumstances. What appears to be a mere domestic errand escalates into a divinely appointed encounter due to the servant's practical suggestion. This underlines that God is active in the small details of our lives, directing our steps even when we are unaware of the bigger plan. The term "man of God" (איש האלהים) carries significant weight. It implies not just a religious person but someone directly authorized and empowered by Yahweh, the one true God, to convey His will. This distinguishes Samuel from diviners or seers of other cultures whose abilities might be seen as innate or demonically influenced. Samuel's role is not just to "tell our way" in the literal sense of finding lost donkeys, but also to reveal Saul's divine destiny and Israel's path forward under monarchy. This interaction marks a shift from Israel's loose tribal confederation to a centralized kingdom under God's chosen king.

1 Samuel 9 8 Commentary

Verse 8 is a pivotal moment, seemingly mundane, yet divinely orchestrated. The servant's ingenuity, born out of a desperate search for lost animals, shifts the entire narrative toward Saul's destiny. The "fourth part of a shekel," though meager, becomes the means by which God's chosen king is led directly to His prophet, Samuel. This small sum reflects the common, practical custom of giving a modest gift or token to a prophet in ancient Israel when seeking counsel. This practice, while appearing like a transaction, was distinct from commercial divination. Samuel, as a genuine "man of God," did not truly sell divine information but accepted such tokens as part of the cultural custom and as a gesture of sincerity from those seeking guidance. The servant's humble offering enables Saul's introduction to Samuel, revealing that God often uses unexpected, seemingly insignificant means—even lost donkeys and a tiny coin—to enact His grand purposes for individuals and nations.