This verse highlights the importance of receiving God’s blessing before communal worship and foreshadows the monumental role Samuel will play in anointing Saul as Israel’s first king.
In 1 Samuel 9:13, the prophet Samuel is about to meet Saul, who is seeking help to recover his father’s lost donkeys. The verse states, “As soon as you enter the city you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat, for the people will not eat until he comes because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up for you will find him at once.” (v.13). In ancient Israel, a “high place” was a prominent outdoor altar where offerings were presented and feasts were held—sometimes for legitimate worship, though later many high places became associated with idolatry. Here, it is still used in a legitimate sense, as Samuel is set to preside over a sacrifice and bless it before anyone eats. The people’s custom was to wait for the appointed prophet to sanctify the meal, giving reverence to God in a communal setting. This scene likely took place in or near the city of Ramah, around 1050 BC, and foreshadows Samuel’s key role of anointing Saul as Israel’s first king (see also commentary that notes Samuel used high places for legitimate worship at that time).
When the verse says, “the people will not eat until he comes because he must bless the sacrifice,” it underscores the prophet’s responsibility to invoke God’s favor on their offering. In ancient society, such an event was central to civic and spiritual life: blessings meant dedicating the act of worship to the LORD, acknowledging His sovereignty and grace. This practice resonates with other biblical moments where leaders consecrate meals or sacrifices before the community partakes, anticipating a future emphasis on the significance of God’s blessing how Jesus also blesses the bread in the New Testament). The mention of “those who are invited” further reveals that this was a sacred and shared feast—by invitation from the prophet, who was respected as God’s spokesperson and the judge of Israel (1 Samuel chapters 7-8).
This meeting also sets the stage for Saul’s transformation from an unassuming Benjamite searching for lost livestock into the nation’s chosen ruler. Soon after, Samuel will announce God’s plan for Saul to lead Israel (1 Samuel 10). Like many key events surrounding monarchs in scripture, the process is marked by a meal, a blessing, and a recognition of divine purpose. It shows how everyday occurrences—such as lost donkeys—can bring about encounters with God’s anointed servants, reshaping the course of a nation’s history.
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1 Samuel 9:13 meaning
In 1 Samuel 9:13, the prophet Samuel is about to meet Saul, who is seeking help to recover his father’s lost donkeys. The verse states, “As soon as you enter the city you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat, for the people will not eat until he comes because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up for you will find him at once.” (v.13). In ancient Israel, a “high place” was a prominent outdoor altar where offerings were presented and feasts were held—sometimes for legitimate worship, though later many high places became associated with idolatry. Here, it is still used in a legitimate sense, as Samuel is set to preside over a sacrifice and bless it before anyone eats. The people’s custom was to wait for the appointed prophet to sanctify the meal, giving reverence to God in a communal setting. This scene likely took place in or near the city of Ramah, around 1050 BC, and foreshadows Samuel’s key role of anointing Saul as Israel’s first king (see also commentary that notes Samuel used high places for legitimate worship at that time).
When the verse says, “the people will not eat until he comes because he must bless the sacrifice,” it underscores the prophet’s responsibility to invoke God’s favor on their offering. In ancient society, such an event was central to civic and spiritual life: blessings meant dedicating the act of worship to the LORD, acknowledging His sovereignty and grace. This practice resonates with other biblical moments where leaders consecrate meals or sacrifices before the community partakes, anticipating a future emphasis on the significance of God’s blessing how Jesus also blesses the bread in the New Testament). The mention of “those who are invited” further reveals that this was a sacred and shared feast—by invitation from the prophet, who was respected as God’s spokesperson and the judge of Israel (1 Samuel chapters 7-8).
This meeting also sets the stage for Saul’s transformation from an unassuming Benjamite searching for lost livestock into the nation’s chosen ruler. Soon after, Samuel will announce God’s plan for Saul to lead Israel (1 Samuel 10). Like many key events surrounding monarchs in scripture, the process is marked by a meal, a blessing, and a recognition of divine purpose. It shows how everyday occurrences—such as lost donkeys—can bring about encounters with God’s anointed servants, reshaping the course of a nation’s history.