Saul humbly acknowledges the need to honor God’s prophet before receiving guidance.
Then Saul said to his servant, “But look now, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our sack and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?” (1 Samuel 9:7). In this moment, Saul expresses concern for meeting the prophet Samuel empty-handed. At this point in Israel’s history (around the late 11th century BC), Saul has not yet been recognized as king, but is searching for his father’s lost donkeys. By custom, when approaching a “man of God,” which often referred to prophets in ancient Israel, it was considered respectful to offer a gift. Saul, noticing their bread was gone, wonders how they can suitably approach the prophet. This scene highlights both Saul’s respect for spiritual authority and the cultural practice of hospitality.
The geographical context of the passage takes place in the territories of Benjamin and Ephraim. Saul’s home was in the land of Benjamin, which lay north of Jerusalem. He traveled through the hill country of Ephraim in search of the lost donkeys, drawing near to Ramah, a city associated with the prophet Samuel. Ramah was located in the central highlands of Israel and served as a key site of worship and decision-making. By considering the location, we see how Saul’s journey positions him to encounter Samuel, signifying God’s providential hand guiding future events.
Saul’s anxiety over a present reminds us of the importance of giving gifts and offerings to God and His servants, a practice reflected in other biblical passages. Jesus later taught the principle of giving freely for the kingdom of God, suggesting that a humble heart before the Lord is better than elaborate external gifts. Saul’s question, “What shall we bring the man?,” foreshadows his eventual meeting with the prophet who would anoint him as king over Israel (1 Samuel 10:1), signifying the transition of Israel’s leadership into the monarchy.
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1 Samuel 9:7 meaning
Then Saul said to his servant, “But look now, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our sack and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?” (1 Samuel 9:7). In this moment, Saul expresses concern for meeting the prophet Samuel empty-handed. At this point in Israel’s history (around the late 11th century BC), Saul has not yet been recognized as king, but is searching for his father’s lost donkeys. By custom, when approaching a “man of God,” which often referred to prophets in ancient Israel, it was considered respectful to offer a gift. Saul, noticing their bread was gone, wonders how they can suitably approach the prophet. This scene highlights both Saul’s respect for spiritual authority and the cultural practice of hospitality.
The geographical context of the passage takes place in the territories of Benjamin and Ephraim. Saul’s home was in the land of Benjamin, which lay north of Jerusalem. He traveled through the hill country of Ephraim in search of the lost donkeys, drawing near to Ramah, a city associated with the prophet Samuel. Ramah was located in the central highlands of Israel and served as a key site of worship and decision-making. By considering the location, we see how Saul’s journey positions him to encounter Samuel, signifying God’s providential hand guiding future events.
Saul’s anxiety over a present reminds us of the importance of giving gifts and offerings to God and His servants, a practice reflected in other biblical passages. Jesus later taught the principle of giving freely for the kingdom of God, suggesting that a humble heart before the Lord is better than elaborate external gifts. Saul’s question, “What shall we bring the man?,” foreshadows his eventual meeting with the prophet who would anoint him as king over Israel (1 Samuel 10:1), signifying the transition of Israel’s leadership into the monarchy.