1 Samuel 9:6

1 Samuel 9:6

ESV: But he said to him, "Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go."

KJV: And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can show us our way that we should go.

NIV: But the servant replied, "Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let's go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take."

NKJV: And he said to him, "Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go."

NLT: But the servant said, "I've just thought of something! There is a man of God who lives here in this town. He is held in high honor by all the people because everything he says comes true. Let's go find him. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go."

Meaning

1 Samuel 9:6 presents the servant's recommendation to Saul, advising they consult Samuel, whom he identifies as "a man of God" with an impeccable reputation. This prophet is known for speaking words that consistently prove true, signifying divine authentication. The servant suggests seeking Samuel's guidance to determine the next course of action regarding their failed search for the lost donkeys.

Cross References

Context

1 Samuel Chapter 9 begins with Saul, the son of Kish, diligently searching for his father's lost donkeys alongside his servant. After an unsuccessful search covering various regions, Saul suggests giving up and returning home, fearing his father's concern might shift from the donkeys to their own safety. It is at this point, precisely when human efforts are exhausted, that his servant interjects with the idea of seeking divine help. This verse thus functions as a pivot, shifting the narrative from a mundane search for animals to the providential introduction of Saul to Samuel, whom God has already appointed to anoint Saul as king. Historically, seeking prophets for guidance on various matters, from war to lost items, was common in ancient Israel, positioning Samuel in this traditional role before his larger prophetic duties concerning kingship are unveiled. This sets the stage for God's orchestration of seemingly random events to fulfill His divine plan.

Word analysis

• And he said to him: This identifies the speaker as Saul's servant and the listener as Saul, highlighting the servant's initiative in directing their actions.
• 'Look' (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An interjection signifying emphasis, drawing attention to the significant information about to be shared, typically a revelation or discovery.
• 'there is in this town a man of God' (אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים - ish Elohim):
  • 'ish Elohim': A revered technical term in the Old Testament, designating a prophet or divinely commissioned messenger who possesses extraordinary gifts and authority from God. It denotes one whose life is consecrated to divine purposes and whose utterances are seen as originating directly from God. This title sets Samuel apart from mere human diviners, underscoring his authentic divine mandate.
• 'and he is held in honor' (נִכְבָּד - nikhbad): Derived from the root כָבֵד (kaved), meaning "heavy, weighty," this signifies "esteemed," "respected," and "influential." It indicates Samuel's high public standing, renown, and the authority he commanded in the community due to his proven integrity and divine connection.
• 'all that he says surely comes true' (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר בּוֹא יָבֹא - kol asher yedabber bo yavo):
  • 'kol asher yedabber': "All that he speaks." Emphasizes the universal and consistent accuracy of Samuel's words.
  • 'bo yavo': An infinitive absolute construction (verb + infinitive absolute), which dramatically stresses certainty and inevitability. Literally "coming, it will come," meaning "it will certainly and infallibly come to pass." This characteristic served as the ultimate test of a true prophet of God, distinguishing genuine divine messengers from false prophets whose words failed (Deut 18:22).
• 'So now let us go there': The servant's direct, pragmatic proposal, stemming logically from the profound credibility he attributes to Samuel. It demonstrates proactive faith in Samuel's divine guidance.
• 'perhaps he will tell us about our journey on which we have set out':
  • 'perhaps' (אוּלַי - ulai): Used here not to express doubt in Samuel's prophetic ability, but rather a deferential and respectful approach to a man of God. It acknowledges the prophet's discretion or God's sovereign will in choosing whether to grant a specific revelation.
  • 'our journey on which we have set out': Refers to the specific and seemingly trivial problem of the lost donkeys. This mundane errand paradoxically serves as the divine catalyst for Saul's monumental encounter with Samuel and his anointing as king.

Commentary

1 Samuel 9:6 offers a compelling illustration of divine providence intertwining with everyday circumstances. Saul's servant, discerning the limited scope of human effort, redirects Saul's focus toward Samuel, widely recognized as a "man of God" whose words were impeccably true. This recognition of Samuel's divinely authenticated message highlights the profound respect for legitimate prophetic authority in ancient Israel, directly contrasting with unreliable pagan divination practices. The verse subtly underscores that God's meticulous plans often unfold through seemingly insignificant events. While Saul's initial quest was merely for lost donkeys, God orchestrated this mundane need to guide him toward his greater, kingdom-defining destiny. The incident serves as a timeless reminder that we should seek divine guidance even in our ordinary pursuits, trusting that God can utilize any situation to advance His overarching will.

Bonus section

The esteemed title "man of God" (אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים - ish Elohim) signifies not merely a devout individual, but a person officially designated by God as His spokesperson, possessing direct access to divine revelation. Samuel, through a lifetime of faithfulness and confirmed prophecy, had established this reputation for unwavering truthfulness, setting a clear standard for authentic divine communication. The contrast between Saul, unaware of such a pivotal figure despite Samuel's prominence, and his servant, who holds this knowledge, subtly hints at Saul's lack of spiritual insight or connection at this juncture. This seemingly ordinary pursuit of lost animals becomes a divinely engineered rendezvous, demonstrating God's sovereign orchestration even in minor life details to lead individuals precisely to their intended divine appointments.

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