God disclosed to Samuel on the previous day that Saul, Israel’s future king, would arrive, emphasizing His sovereign guidance over the course of Israel’s history.
Now a day before Saul’s coming, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel saying, (1 Samuel 9:15)
This verse stands at a pivotal moment, providing critical insight into the LORD’s orchestration of events. It reveals how the Almighty prepared Samuel—a prophet in Israel during the late 11th century BC—to anoint Saul, who would become the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 9:1-2). Samuel, who was dedicated to the LORD at a young age by his mother Hannah, judged Israel and grew in spiritual stature (1 Samuel 3:20). By this time, God let Samuel in on His plan the day before Saul’s arrival, showing how the divine will brought Saul’s path and Samuel’s together. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, and around 1050 BC he would be anointed in part because the people demanded a human king like the surrounding nations (1 Samuel 8:5).
When the verse says, Now a day before Saul’s coming, it underscores God’s thorough involvement in leading Saul to Samuel at precisely the right time. Samuel, though living in the area typically associated with Ramah in the hill country of Ephraim, is specifically told by God on this day to watch for the chosen man from Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:15). This foreshadows God’s sovereignty—an attribute that will be spelled out throughout the narrative as God oversees the rise and fall of Israel’s kings. The text then continues: the LORD had revealed this to Samuel saying, which portrays that God’s word was not vague or unclear, but specific. God’s revelation served as a guiding light for Samuel’s ministry, leading to the important moment when he would meet Saul and eventually anoint him (1 Samuel 10:1).
This verse points directly to a God who initiates and orchestrates crucial historical events. Later in Israel’s history, it will be clear what happens when kings fail to follow God’s instructions. Yet here, as the monarchy is inaugurated, we see the LORD working intimately with His prophet. These events also connect forward to the ultimate story of the anointed King, Jesus Christ, who comes in perfect timing in God’s redemptive plan (Galatians 4:4). Just as God revealed plans to Samuel in advance, so Scripture speaks to Christ’s coming as foreordained from eternity (Revelation 13:8).
Saul’s imminent arrival highlights that even a seemingly mundane trip—Saul searching for his father’s lost donkeys (1 Samuel 9:3)—is under the hand of God. Samuel’s prophetic role is thus underscored, emphasizing that the LORD’s word is the true impetus behind the beginnings of Israel’s monarchy. Though the people’s request for a human king signaled that they did not trust God’s rule, He still guided them, even in their misaligned desires, fulfilling His purposes that would eventually lead to the line of David, and finally to the Messiah.
God reveals His plan to His prophets, aligning historical occurrences with His divine will.
Set to dark mode
1 Samuel 9:15 meaning
Now a day before Saul’s coming, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel saying, (1 Samuel 9:15)
This verse stands at a pivotal moment, providing critical insight into the LORD’s orchestration of events. It reveals how the Almighty prepared Samuel—a prophet in Israel during the late 11th century BC—to anoint Saul, who would become the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 9:1-2). Samuel, who was dedicated to the LORD at a young age by his mother Hannah, judged Israel and grew in spiritual stature (1 Samuel 3:20). By this time, God let Samuel in on His plan the day before Saul’s arrival, showing how the divine will brought Saul’s path and Samuel’s together. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, and around 1050 BC he would be anointed in part because the people demanded a human king like the surrounding nations (1 Samuel 8:5).
When the verse says, Now a day before Saul’s coming, it underscores God’s thorough involvement in leading Saul to Samuel at precisely the right time. Samuel, though living in the area typically associated with Ramah in the hill country of Ephraim, is specifically told by God on this day to watch for the chosen man from Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:15). This foreshadows God’s sovereignty—an attribute that will be spelled out throughout the narrative as God oversees the rise and fall of Israel’s kings. The text then continues: the LORD had revealed this to Samuel saying, which portrays that God’s word was not vague or unclear, but specific. God’s revelation served as a guiding light for Samuel’s ministry, leading to the important moment when he would meet Saul and eventually anoint him (1 Samuel 10:1).
This verse points directly to a God who initiates and orchestrates crucial historical events. Later in Israel’s history, it will be clear what happens when kings fail to follow God’s instructions. Yet here, as the monarchy is inaugurated, we see the LORD working intimately with His prophet. These events also connect forward to the ultimate story of the anointed King, Jesus Christ, who comes in perfect timing in God’s redemptive plan (Galatians 4:4). Just as God revealed plans to Samuel in advance, so Scripture speaks to Christ’s coming as foreordained from eternity (Revelation 13:8).
Saul’s imminent arrival highlights that even a seemingly mundane trip—Saul searching for his father’s lost donkeys (1 Samuel 9:3)—is under the hand of God. Samuel’s prophetic role is thus underscored, emphasizing that the LORD’s word is the true impetus behind the beginnings of Israel’s monarchy. Though the people’s request for a human king signaled that they did not trust God’s rule, He still guided them, even in their misaligned desires, fulfilling His purposes that would eventually lead to the line of David, and finally to the Messiah.
God reveals His plan to His prophets, aligning historical occurrences with His divine will.