1 Sam. 9 The genealogy of Kish, 1 Sam. 9:1. Saul’s person, 1 Sam. 9:2. He is sent to seek his father’s asses, 1 Sam. 9:3. He travels through the country, and finds them not, 1 Sam. 9:4–5. By the counsel of his servant, 1 Sam. 9:6–10, and the direction of young maidens, 1 Sam.

Whose name was Kish. Object. His name was Ner, 1 Chron. 8:33, 1 Chron. 9:39. Answ. Either his father had two names, as was usual among the Hebrews; or Kish was really his father that begot him; and Ner, the brother of Kish, 1 Sam. 14:51, 1 Chron.

And a goodly, Heb. good, i.e. comely and personable, as that word is used, Gen. 6:2; as evil is put for deformed, Gen. 41:19. He was higher than any of the people: a tall stature was much valued in a king in ancient times, and in the eastern countries.

Which were there of great price and use, Judg. 10:4, Judg. 12:14, because of the scarcity of horses, Deut. 17:16, and therefore not held unworthy of Saul’s seeking, at least in those ancient times, when simplicity, humility, and industry were in fashion among persons of quality.

Mount Ephraim; a part of the tribe of Ephraim, which bordered upon Benjamin; and therefore they could soon pass out of the one into the other, and back again, as they saw cause.

The land of Ziph; in which was Ramah, called also Ramah, or Ramathaim-zephim, the place of Samuel’s birth and habitation, 1 Sam. 1:1, 1 Sam. 7:17.

A man of God; a prophet, as that phrase is used, 1 Sam. 2:27, Josh. 14:6, Judg. 13:6. An honourable man; one of great reputation for his skill and faithfulness. All that he saith cometh surely to pass; his declaration of things secret or future are always certain, and confirmed by the event.

The bread is spent in our vessels: this he saith, because bread was not unusually given by way of present, as we see, 1 Sam. 10:3–4. Or bread is put for all manner of provisions, as is frequent; and among these they might have something not unfit, in these plain times, to make a present of, as…

The fourth part of a shekel of silver was near a groat; which, though now it may seem a contemptible gift, yet in those ancient times it was certainly of far more worth, and better accepted than now it would be, when the covetousness, and pride, and luxury of men have raised their expectations and…

Of God; or, a man of God, which signified the same thing. Was called a seer, because he did discern and could discover things secret and unknown to others. And these are the words, either, first, Of some later sacred writer, which, after Samuel’s death, inserted this verse.

Going out, i.e. out of the city, and down to the bottom of the hill, where the fountain or river was.

He came today to the city: she so speaks, though this was his own constant habitation, because he had been travelling abroad, possibly in his circuit, described 1 Sam.

Ye shall straightway find him, at home and at leisure. To eat the relics of the sacrifices, according to the manner. He doth bless the sacrifice, i.e. either, first, The meat left of the sacrifice, which is the matter of the following feast; as this is commonly understood.

Samuel came out; out of his own house, just as they passed by.

In his ear, i.e. secretly. A day before Saul came, that he might prepare himself for Saul’s reception.

I will send thee a man; I will by my secret providence so dispose of matters, and of the hearts of Saul and his father, that Saul shall come to thee, though with another design.

Unto him, in his ear, as before 1 Sam. 9:15, by secret instinct, so as none but he could hear it.

In the gate; the gate, either, first, Of Samuel’s house. But he was come out thence before, 1 Sam. 9:14. Or rather, secondly, Of the city; for the word gate being put by itself, according to reason and common use, must be understood of the most eminent in its kind, which the gate of the city is.

Either all that thou desirest to know, as concerning the asses; or rather, the secret thoughts of thy heart, or such actions as none know but God and thy own heart; that so thou mayst be assured of the truth and certainty of that which I am to acquaint thee with.

Set not thy mind on them; trouble not thy mind about them. On whom is all the desire of Israel? who is he that shall be that thing or person which all Israel desire to have, to wit, a king? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father’s house? that honour is designed for thee, and, after thy death, for…

The smallest of the tribes; for so indeed this was, having been all cut off except six hundred, Judg. 20:0, which blow they never recovered, and therefore they were scarce reckoned as an entire tribe, but only as a remnant or fragment of a tribe; and being ingrafted into Judah, in the division…

He honoured his servant for Saul’s sake; thereby both giving all the guests occasion to think how great that person was, or should be, whose very servant was advanced above the chief persons of the city, who were doubtless present upon this occasion; and showing how far himself was from envying…

Or, which I appointed or disposed to thee, i.e. which I bade the reserve for this use.

The shoulder, to wit, the left shoulder, for the right shoulder was the priest’s, Lev. 7:32–33. This he gives him, either, first, As the best and noblest part of the remainders of the sacrifice; the best parts being usually given by the master of the feast to such guests as were most honourable, or…

Samuel communed with Saul, concerning the kingdom designed to him by God, and his duty to expect it patiently, till God actually called him to it; and to administer it piously, and justly, and valiantly. The top of the house was flat, after the manner, Deut.

Samuel called Saul to the top of the house a second time, to impart something more to him. That I may send thee away; prepare thyself for thy departure and journey. He and Samuel, abroad; Samuel accompanying Saul part of his way.

Bid the servant pass on before us, that thou and I may speak privately of the matter of the kingdom; which Samuel hitherto endeavoured to conceal, lest he should be thought now to impose a king upon them as before he denied one to them; and that it might appear by the lot mentioned in the next…