God graciously prepared a special place and portion for Saul, revealing His willingness to guide, bless, and lead His people through an earthly king, if they would recognize Him as their true sovereign.
“Then Samuel said to the cook, ‘Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, “Set it aside.”’” (v.23)
In this passage, the prophet Samuel, serving in the late 11th century BC, instructs the cook to retrieve a special portion of meat that he had designated ahead of time for Saul, Israel’s soon-to-be king. Samuel’s role marked a transition in Israelite history, bridging the period of the judges to the beginnings of the monarchy. Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, had been led by divine circumstances to this communal meal on the high place, where Samuel honored him above the other guests. By setting aside a choice cut, Samuel symbolically demonstrated God’s selection of Saul for leadership, echoing the covenant concept in which Israel was called to submit to the LORD as their ultimate Suzerain and follow the king under His supreme authority.
“Bring the portion that I gave you,” shows the careful preparation Samuel made and underscores the importance of ceremonially recognizing Saul’s new status. In ancient Israel, sharing a meal often signified fellowship and covenantal unity. Samuel’s guidance to “set it aside” signaled that this feast was more than a simple gathering; it confirmed God’s unfolding plan for Israel to have a human king who would rule under God’s overarching covenant. Although the people later reneged on their divine responsibilities, their relationship with the LORD remained a suzerain-vassal arrangement, in which obedience to God would yield prosperity, and disobedience would bring consequences.
Samuel’s prophetic authority in performing this act demonstrates that all human leadership in Israel was meant to operate in submission to God—the true King. Through this verse, readers see the importance of humility, reverence, and the acknowledgment that every blessing or promotion is ultimately granted by the LORD. Like a prepared plate awaiting its rightful guest, God’s blessings could be taken up by those He chooses, provided they remain faithful to Him and uphold the covenant on behalf of the people.
Set to dark mode
1 Samuel 9:23 meaning
“Then Samuel said to the cook, ‘Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, “Set it aside.”’” (v.23)
In this passage, the prophet Samuel, serving in the late 11th century BC, instructs the cook to retrieve a special portion of meat that he had designated ahead of time for Saul, Israel’s soon-to-be king. Samuel’s role marked a transition in Israelite history, bridging the period of the judges to the beginnings of the monarchy. Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, had been led by divine circumstances to this communal meal on the high place, where Samuel honored him above the other guests. By setting aside a choice cut, Samuel symbolically demonstrated God’s selection of Saul for leadership, echoing the covenant concept in which Israel was called to submit to the LORD as their ultimate Suzerain and follow the king under His supreme authority.
“Bring the portion that I gave you,” shows the careful preparation Samuel made and underscores the importance of ceremonially recognizing Saul’s new status. In ancient Israel, sharing a meal often signified fellowship and covenantal unity. Samuel’s guidance to “set it aside” signaled that this feast was more than a simple gathering; it confirmed God’s unfolding plan for Israel to have a human king who would rule under God’s overarching covenant. Although the people later reneged on their divine responsibilities, their relationship with the LORD remained a suzerain-vassal arrangement, in which obedience to God would yield prosperity, and disobedience would bring consequences.
Samuel’s prophetic authority in performing this act demonstrates that all human leadership in Israel was meant to operate in submission to God—the true King. Through this verse, readers see the importance of humility, reverence, and the acknowledgment that every blessing or promotion is ultimately granted by the LORD. Like a prepared plate awaiting its rightful guest, God’s blessings could be taken up by those He chooses, provided they remain faithful to Him and uphold the covenant on behalf of the people.