And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.

1 SAMUEL 9:22KJV
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1 Samuel 9:22 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 9:22 mean?

1 Samuel 9:22 describes how Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into a special room, seating them in the place of honor among about thirty invited guests. This action signals that Samuel is treating Saul as someone important, even though Saul is not yet known as king.

Samuel, acting as a respected prophet and leader, is hosting a meal with select guests. By bringing Saul and his servant into the "parlour" and giving them the "chiefest place," Samuel is publicly showing special respect to Saul. This is part of the unfolding story where Saul is being singled out for a significant role in Israel, even before he or others fully understand what is happening.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 9:22

  • "Parlour" (לִשְׁכָּה, lishkah): This word refers to a special room or chamber, often used for gatherings or important meetings. Its use here highlights that Saul is being brought into an exclusive, private setting.
  • "Chiefest" (רֹאשׁ, rosh) and "place" (מָקוֹם, maqom): Together, these words mean the head or most honored spot at the gathering. Samuel is intentionally giving Saul the seat of highest honor.
  • "Bidden" (קָרָא, qara): This word means "invited." The text points out that there were about thirty specifically invited people, emphasizing that this was a select group and Saul is being set apart among them.

Why 1 Samuel 9:22 matters

  • This verse clears up that Saul’s rise to prominence was not accidental; Samuel is deliberately honoring him in front of witnesses, setting the stage for Saul’s later anointing as king.
  • The detail about the "chiefest place" shows that Saul is being treated with unusual respect, which would have surprised both Saul and the other guests, highlighting the significance of the moment.
  • By mentioning the number of guests and the special room, the verse connects Saul’s story to a formal, public context, making it clear that what is happening is both intentional and witnessed by others.

Where else these words appear

“parlour” Hebrew H3957 · used in 41 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:11 And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.
  • Nehemiah 13:8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
  • Ezekiel 41:10 And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits round about the house on every side.

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.