Saul’s request for the seer’s house symbolizes a turning point that begins Israel’s monarchy under God’s design.
Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.” (1 Samuel 9:18)
Saul, who would soon become the first king of Israel (reigning roughly from 1050 to 1010 BC), comes face to face with Samuel, the last judge and a prophet who guided Israel during the late 11th century BC. The phrase in the gate situates their meeting at the entrance of the city, a location that often served as a communal hub in ancient Israel where elders and leaders would conduct official matters. Saul’s request—“Please tell me where the seer’s house is”—shows his initial humility and his reliance on the prophetic ministry for guidance. During this era, a “seer” (an older designation for a prophet) would regularly perform sacrifices and proclaim God’s messages to the people, often doing so at the high places for worship before the temple was built. This practice appears elsewhere, as the day before Saul’s anointing, Samuel offered a sacrifice on a high place (1 Samuel 9:19).
On a broader historical stage, God had already appointed Samuel to be the one who would identify and anoint Israel’s kings, answering the people’s desire for a monarch even though they were, in essence, rejecting God’s direct rule. This moment in 1 Samuel 9:18 is the first concrete step of Saul’s journey toward that kingship. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, and the Lord used Samuel’s guidance to establish him as king over the Israelites (Acts 13:21). Although Saul began with this humility, he would later grapple with disobedience and pride. Still, the establishment of the monarchy under Saul ultimately set the stage for David’s reign and, centuries later, for Jesus Christ—the Messiah who descended from David’s line and who would fulfill God’s promises to Israel (Matthew 1:1).
Saul’s question in the gate underscores both his personal need for direction and Israel’s national transition to earthly leadership. It is a pivotal moment, reminding us that even when God grants human rulers, He remains sovereign and works through willing hearts to accomplish His greater plan of salvation.
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1 Samuel 9:18 meaning
Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.” (1 Samuel 9:18)
Saul, who would soon become the first king of Israel (reigning roughly from 1050 to 1010 BC), comes face to face with Samuel, the last judge and a prophet who guided Israel during the late 11th century BC. The phrase in the gate situates their meeting at the entrance of the city, a location that often served as a communal hub in ancient Israel where elders and leaders would conduct official matters. Saul’s request—“Please tell me where the seer’s house is”—shows his initial humility and his reliance on the prophetic ministry for guidance. During this era, a “seer” (an older designation for a prophet) would regularly perform sacrifices and proclaim God’s messages to the people, often doing so at the high places for worship before the temple was built. This practice appears elsewhere, as the day before Saul’s anointing, Samuel offered a sacrifice on a high place (1 Samuel 9:19).
On a broader historical stage, God had already appointed Samuel to be the one who would identify and anoint Israel’s kings, answering the people’s desire for a monarch even though they were, in essence, rejecting God’s direct rule. This moment in 1 Samuel 9:18 is the first concrete step of Saul’s journey toward that kingship. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, and the Lord used Samuel’s guidance to establish him as king over the Israelites (Acts 13:21). Although Saul began with this humility, he would later grapple with disobedience and pride. Still, the establishment of the monarchy under Saul ultimately set the stage for David’s reign and, centuries later, for Jesus Christ—the Messiah who descended from David’s line and who would fulfill God’s promises to Israel (Matthew 1:1).
Saul’s question in the gate underscores both his personal need for direction and Israel’s national transition to earthly leadership. It is a pivotal moment, reminding us that even when God grants human rulers, He remains sovereign and works through willing hearts to accomplish His greater plan of salvation.