And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

1 SAMUEL 9:23KJV
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1 Samuel 9:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 9:23 mean?

1 Samuel 9:23 describes Samuel instructing the cook to bring out a special portion of food that Samuel had set aside earlier. This action shows that Samuel had prepared something specific for Saul, marking him as an honored guest at the meal.

In this scene, Samuel, the prophet, is speaking to the cook during a meal attended by Saul. Samuel had already told the cook to reserve a certain portion of meat, and now he asks for it to be brought out. This act is part of Samuel’s way of honoring Saul and signaling that something important is about to happen in Saul’s life.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 9:23

  • "Cook" (טַבָּח, tabbach) refers to the person responsible for preparing and serving the food, highlighting the formality and significance of the meal.
  • "Portion" (מָנָה, manah) means a specific serving or allotment, often reserved for someone of special status. The use of this word shows Saul is being singled out for honor.
  • "Set" (שִׂים, sim) means to place or set aside. Samuel’s instruction to the cook to "set it by thee" emphasizes that this portion was intentionally reserved in advance for Saul.

Why 1 Samuel 9:23 matters

  • This verse clears up that Saul’s invitation to the meal was not random; Samuel had planned to honor him, hinting at Saul’s future role as Israel’s first king.
  • The act of reserving a portion underscores the idea of divine selection and preparation, showing that Saul’s rise was guided by God’s direction through Samuel.
  • Understanding this moment helps make sense of the respect and attention Saul receives in the following verses, setting the stage for his anointing as king.

Where else these words appear

“portion” Hebrew H4490 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 29:26 And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part.
  • 1 Samuel 1:5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
  • Esther 2:9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

“cook” Hebrew H2876 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
  • 2 Kings 25:12 But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
  • Jeremiah 40:5 Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.

“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.