As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

1 SAMUEL 9:13KJV
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1 Samuel 9:13 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 9:13 mean?

1 Samuel 9:13 explains that Saul and his servant will find Samuel as soon as they enter the city, before Samuel goes up to the high place to eat. The people are waiting for Samuel to arrive and bless the sacrifice before they eat, so Saul and his servant are urged to hurry if they want to meet him at that time.

In this verse, local women are speaking to Saul and his servant as they search for Samuel. The setting is a city where a special meal is about to take place at a high place, which was a common site for worship and sacrifice in ancient Israel. The verse highlights Samuel’s important role as the one who blesses the sacrifice, showing his spiritual authority and the community’s respect for proper ritual order.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 9:13

  • "High place" (בָּמָה, bamah): This word refers to an elevated site used for worship and sacrifices before the temple was built in Jerusalem. It helps explain why Samuel is going "up" to eat and why the event is significant.
  • "Bless" (בָּרַךְ, barakh): This word means to pronounce a blessing. The people wait for Samuel to bless the sacrifice, showing that the meal is not just social but has a sacred element requiring a leader’s blessing.
  • "Sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevach): This term refers to an offering made to God, often followed by a communal meal. The sacrifice is central to the gathering and explains why the people are waiting for Samuel.

Why 1 Samuel 9:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Samuel’s presence is necessary for the community to proceed with their worship and meal, emphasizing the importance of spiritual leadership in ancient Israel.
  • The verse shows the careful order of worship: the people do not eat until the sacrifice is blessed, highlighting respect for God’s instructions and the role of blessing in communal life.
  • It sets the stage for Saul’s meeting with Samuel, which is a turning point in the story, as Samuel will soon anoint Saul as Israel’s first king.