To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

1 SAMUEL 9:16KJV
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1 Samuel 9:16 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 9:16 mean?

1 Samuel 9:16 says that God tells Samuel He will send a man from the tribe of Benjamin the next day, and Samuel is to anoint this man as leader over Israel. This new leader will save the Israelites from the Philistines because God has seen their suffering and heard their cries for help.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Samuel, the prophet, giving him advance notice about Saul’s arrival. The situation is that Israel has been oppressed by the Philistines, and the people have been asking God for help. God’s instruction to anoint a leader shows that He is responding to their need by providing someone to rescue them.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 9:16

  • "Anoint" (מָשַׁח, mashach): This word means to pour oil on someone as a sign of being set apart for a special role, often for kingship. Here, it marks Saul as chosen by God for leadership.
  • "Captain" (נָגִיד, nagid): This word can mean leader, ruler, or prince. It emphasizes that Saul is not just a military commander but a divinely appointed leader over the people.
  • "Cry" (צְעָקָה, tze‘akah): This word refers to a desperate call for help. The verse highlights that God is attentive to the suffering and prayers of His people.

Why 1 Samuel 9:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul’s rise to leadership is not just a human decision but a direct response from God to the people’s distress.
  • The verse shows God’s compassion and involvement; He is not distant but actively sees (“looked,” רָאָה, ra’ah) and responds to His people’s needs.
  • Understanding the specific words for “anoint” and “captain” helps us see that Saul’s appointment is both a spiritual and practical answer to Israel’s situation, setting the stage for the transition to monarchy.

Where else these words appear

“cry” Hebrew H6818 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 18:21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
  • Exodus 12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
  • Psalms 9:12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

“captain” Hebrew H5057 · used in 44 verses

  • 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
  • 1 Chronicles 12:27 And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;
  • 2 Chronicles 31:13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.

“morrow” Hebrew H4279 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 30:33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
  • Joshua 3:5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
  • 1 Samuel 28:19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

“anoint” Hebrew H4886 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
  • Numbers 6:15 And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.
  • 1 Kings 1:39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.