1 Samuel 9:12

1 Samuel 9:12 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“Yes, he is ahead of you,” they answered. “Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place.

King James Version KJV

And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:

American Standard Version ASV

And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before thee: make haste now, for he is come to-day into the city; for the people have a sacrifice to-day in the high place.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And they said, He is; in fact he is before you: go quickly now, for he has come into the town today, for the people are making an offering in the high place today:

Free Bible Version FBV

“He is,” they replied, “Up ahead of you. But you'll have to hurry. He's come to town today because the people are having a sacrifice at the high place.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And they answered them, and said, Yea: loe, he is before you: make haste nowe, for he came this day to the citie: for there is an offering of the people this day in the hie place.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And they answer them and say, 'He is; lo, before thee! haste, now, for to-day he hath come in to the city, for the people hath a stated sacrifice in a high place.

World English Bible WEB

They answered them and said, “He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he has come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to-day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to-day in the high place:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

They answered and said to them: He is: behold he is before you, make haste now: for he came today into the city, for there is a sacrifice of the people today in the high place.

Translation for Translators T4T

The women replied, “Yes, he is in the town. In fact, he is walking on the road ahead of you. He has just arrived in the town, because the people are going to offer a sacrifice on the altar where the people gather to worship God.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 9:12

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Samuel 9:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/תַּעֲנֶ֧ינָה אוֹתָ֛/ם וַ/תֹּאמַ֥רְנָה יֵּ֖שׁ הִנֵּ֣ה לְ/פָנֶ֑י/ךָ מַהֵ֣ר עַתָּ֗ה כִּ֤י הַ/יּוֹם֙ בָּ֣א לָ/עִ֔יר כִּ֣י זֶ֧בַח הַ/יּ֛וֹם לָ/עָ֖ם בַּ/בָּמָֽה

וַ/תַּעֲנֶ֧ינָה ʻânâh H6030 to dwell Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp

אוֹתָ֛/ם ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM | Suff

וַ/תֹּאמַ֥רְנָה ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp

יֵּ֖שׁ yêsh H3426 there Part

הִנֵּ֣ה hinnêh H2009 behold Part

לְ/פָנֶ֑י/ךָ pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff

מַהֵ֣ר mâhar H4116 to hasten V-Piel-Impv-2ms

עַתָּ֗ה ʻattâh H6258 now Adv

כִּ֤י kîy H3588 for Conj

הַ/יּוֹם֙ yôwm H3117 day Art | N-ms

בָּ֣א bôwʼ H935 Lebo V-Qal-Perf-3ms

לָ/עִ֔יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement Prep | N-fs

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 for Conj

זֶ֧בַח zebach H2077 sacrifice N-ms

הַ/יּ֛וֹם yôwm H3117 day Art | N-ms

לָ/עָ֖ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Prep | N-ms

בַּ/בָּמָֽה bâmâh H1116 high place Prep | N-fs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 9:12

וַ/תַּעֲנֶ֧ינָה ʻânâh H6030 "to dwell" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp

This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.

Definition: (Qal) to dwell

Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.

אוֹתָ֛/ם ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM | Suff

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

וַ/תֹּאמַ֥רְנָה ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

יֵּ֖שׁ yêsh H3426 "there" Part

This Hebrew word means 'there is' or 'there are', used to show existence or being. It appears in various forms, like 'to be' or 'to have'. In the Bible, it's used in Genesis and Psalms to describe God's presence.

Definition: 1) being, existence, substance, there is or are 1a) substance 1b) existence 1c) there is or are Aramaic equivalent: i.tay (אִיתַי "there is" H0383)

Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. See also: Genesis 18:24; Nehemiah 5:2; Psalms 7:4.

הִנֵּ֣ה hinnêh H2009 "behold" Part

This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.

Definition: behold, lo, see, if

Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.

לְ/פָנֶ֑י/ךָ pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

מַהֵ֣ר mâhar H4116 "to hasten" V-Piel-Impv-2ms

This word means to hurry or do something quickly, like when someone is in a rush. It can also mean to buy something by paying a price. The Bible uses it in Genesis.

Definition: 1)(Qal) to hasten 1a) (Niphal) to be hurried, be anxious 1a) hasty, precipitate, impetuous 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to hasten, make haste 1b2) hasten (used as adverb with another verb) 1b3) to hasten, prepare quickly, do quickly, bring quickly

Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: be carried headlong, fearful, (cause to make, in, make) haste(-n, -ily), (be) hasty, (fetch, make ready) [idiom] quickly, rash, [idiom] shortly, (be so) [idiom] soon, make speed, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] straightway, [idiom] suddenly, swift. See also: Genesis 18:6; 1 Samuel 28:24; Psalms 16:4.

עַתָּ֗ה ʻattâh H6258 "now" Adv

This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.

Definition: 1) now 1a) now 1b) in phrases

Usage: Occurs in 422 OT verses. KJV: henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. See also: Genesis 3:22; Joshua 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:13.

כִּ֤י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

הַ/יּוֹם֙ yôwm H3117 "day" Art | N-ms

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

בָּ֣א bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.

לָ/עִ֔יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Prep | N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

זֶ֧בַח zebach H2077 "sacrifice" N-ms

A sacrifice refers to the act of offering an animal's flesh to God, such as in the sacrifices of righteousness or the Passover. This term encompasses various types of sacrifices, including thank offerings and covenant sacrifices. The KJV translates it as 'offer' or 'sacrifice'.

Definition: 1) sacrifice 1a) sacrifices of righteousness 1b) sacrifices of strife 1c) sacrifices to dead things 1d) the covenant sacrifice 1e) the passover 1f) annual sacrifice 1g) thank offering

Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: offer(-ing), sacrifice. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Samuel 2:19; Psalms 4:6.

הַ/יּ֛וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Art | N-ms

לָ/עָ֖ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Prep | N-ms

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

בַּ/בָּמָֽה bâmâh H1116 "high place" Prep | N-fs

A high place or elevation, often referring to a cultic platform or mountain. In the Bible, it can also refer to battlefields or funeral mounds, as seen in various passages.

Definition: 1) high place, ridge, height, bamah (technical name for cultic platform) 1a) high place, mountain 1b) high places, battlefields 1c) high places (as places of worship) 1d) funeral mound?

Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: height, high place, wave. See also: Leviticus 26:30; 1 Chronicles 16:39; Psalms 18:34.

Study Notes — 1 Samuel 9:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Samuel 9:12 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 9:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 9:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:12
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:12
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:12
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:12
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 9:12
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:12
Sermons on 1 Samuel 9:12

Context — Saul Chosen as King

10“Good,” said Saul to his servant. “Come, let us go.” So they set out for the city where the man of God was. 11And as they were climbing the hill to the city, they met some young women coming out to draw water and asked, “Is the seer here?”

12“Yes, he is ahead of you,” they answered. “Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place.

13As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will eat. Go up at once; you will find him.” 14So Saul and his servant went up toward the city, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel coming toward them on his way up to the high place.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Genesis 31:54	Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat a meal. And after they had eaten, they spent the night on the mountain.
2	1 Samuel 16:2	“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’
3	1 Samuel 10:5	After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.
4	1 Kings 3:2–4	The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places because a house for the Name of the LORD had not yet been built. And Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for it was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there.
5	1 Corinthians 5:7–8	Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.
6	Deuteronomy 12:6–7	To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.
7	1 Chronicles 16:39	And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon
8	1 Samuel 7:17	Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD.
9	Numbers 28:11–15	At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, along with three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with the ram, and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each lamb. This is a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD. Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine with each bull, a third of a hin with the ram, and a quarter hin with each lamb. This is the monthly burnt offering to be made at each new moon throughout the year. In addition to the regular burnt offering with its drink offering, one male goat is to be presented to the LORD as a sin offering.

1 Samuel 9:12 Summary

In 1 Samuel 9:12, the people are waiting for Samuel, a spiritual leader, to come and bless their sacrifice before they eat. This shows us the importance of seeking God's guidance and blessing in our lives, just like the people did. We can learn from their example by prioritizing our relationship with God and seeking His presence in our daily lives, as encouraged in Psalm 105:4 and Matthew 7:7-8. By doing so, we can experience God's blessing and guidance, just like the people in 1 Samuel 9:12.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the significance of the high place mentioned in 1 Samuel 9:12?

The high place was an elevated area where the people would offer sacrifices to God, as seen in 1 Samuel 9:12, and it was also a place where the people would gather to worship and seek God's blessing, similar to the tabernacle in Exodus 25:8.

Why did the people wait for the seer to come and bless the sacrifice before eating?

The people waited for the seer, Samuel, to come and bless the sacrifice because they recognized his role as a spiritual leader and mediator between them and God, as seen in Deuteronomy 33:10 and 1 Samuel 9:13.

What can we learn from the people's eagerness to meet the seer in 1 Samuel 9:12?

The people's eagerness to meet the seer teaches us the importance of seeking spiritual guidance and leadership, as emphasized in Proverbs 11:14 and 1 Corinthians 12:28.

How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual leadership in the Bible?

This verse highlights the importance of spiritual leaders, like Samuel, who can provide guidance and blessing to the people, as seen in 1 Samuel 9:12 and supported by Hebrews 13:17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.

Reflection Questions

What role do spiritual leaders play in our lives, and how can we seek their guidance and blessing?
How can we, like the people in 1 Samuel 9:12, prioritize seeking God's presence and blessing in our daily lives?
What are some ways we can demonstrate eagerness to meet with God and seek His guidance, just like the people waiting for the seer?
How can we balance our desire for spiritual guidance with the need to trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 9:12

And they answered them, and said, he is,.... That is, he is in the city, at home, and to be spoken with: behold, he is before you; his house is straight before you as you go along, you cannot miss of it.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 9:12

And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: In the high place ,

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:12

He came today to the city: she so speaks, though this was his own constant habitation, because he had been travelling abroad, possibly in his circuit, described ,17, and was now returned to his own house in Ramah, as he used to do, and so she implies they come in a good and seasonable time to meet with him. There is a sacrifice, otherwise feast; but it seems to be understood of a sacrifice. First, Because so the Hebrew word signifies most properly, and most frequently. Secondly, Because this eating was in the high place, which was the common place for sacrifices, but not for private feasts. Thirdly, The prophet’ s presence was not so necessary for a feast as for a sacrifice. Of the people; so this sacrifice is called, because this was a public solemnity, and possibly the new moon, when the people brought several sacrifices, to wit, peace-offerings, whereof part fell to the offerer’ s share; and of those parts united together, they here made a common feast; not without Samuel’ s direction, who being forewarned the day before by God, of Saul’ s coming, made this feast more solemn for his entertainment, . In the high place; upon the hill mentioned , and near the altar which Samuel built for this kind of use, , by Divine dispensation, as was there noted; otherwise to sacrifice in high places was forbidden by the law, after the building of the tabernacle.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:12

1 Samuel 9:12 And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, [he is] before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for [there is] a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:Ver. 12. And they answered them, and said, He is.] Courtesy to strangers is very commendable. But that these maidens, taken with the beauty of Saul, stayed him a while to look upon him, using more words than needed, is an odd conceit of R. Solomon, cited by Lyra. For there is a sacrifice.] Or, A feast: first a sacrifice, and then a feast made of part of the peace zofferings, as was usual; and, haply, at this time appointed on purpose by Samuel, for Saul’ s better entertainment.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:12

(12) He came to-day.—The little scene—in itself in no way remarkable—is recounted by an eye-witness, evidently as introducing momentous consequences. Every detail of that day’s proceedings was of deep interest to Israel. Some of the maidens of Raman were at the well side, drawing water for their homes. The two strangers accost them with the words, “Is the seer who dwells among you here just now?” and they eagerly reply, “Yes, this very day he came from his house into the town. It is a festival day—you will find him presiding up there,” pointing, no doubt, to the high place, where the sacrifices were being offered. Every word spoken by the girls of Ramah, loving to chatter and exhibit their local knowledge and their interest in their great fellow-citizen, the seer and judge, to whom they, in common with the inhabitants of Ramah, were, no doubt, much attached, was remembered in after time by Saul and his companion.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:12

Verse 12. He came to-day to the city] Though Samuel lived chiefly in Ramah, yet he had a dwelling in the country, at a place called Naioth, where it is probable there was a school of the prophets. See 1 Samuel 19:18-24. A sacrifice of the people] A great feast. The animals used were first sacrificed to the Lord; that is, their blood was poured out before him; and then all the people fed on the flesh. By high place probably Samuel's altar is alone meant; which no doubt was raised on an eminence.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 9:12

12. he is before you] Before thee, addressing the speaker. It is a direction to go straight forward. he came to day to the city] If “the city” was Ramah, Samuel may have been absent from home on one of his official circuits. a sacrifice of the people] Possibly at the New Moon (Numbers 28:11-15) or upon some special occasion of thanksgiving. in the high place] Here probably was the altar which Samuel had built (1 Samuel 7:17). A natural instinct among all nations chooses hill-tops as fitting places of worship. Such “high places” were frequently consecrated to the worship of Jehovah in spite of the prohibition implied in the command that there should be only one sanctuary (Deuteronomy 12:11-14). That this was the case in the unsettled period of the Judges is not surprising, but even after the building of the temple the high-place worship continued, though it is condemned in the books of Kings as a blot on the character of otherwise good monarchs.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:12

12. Make haste now — For if ye do not see him before he goes up to the high place to bless the sacrifice and eat, ye may not be able to hold any private interview with him at all. See on 1 Samuel 9:6.

Sermons on 1 Samuel 9:12

	Sermon	Description
	(Genesis) Genesis 31:20-25 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob fleeing from Laban. Jacob had secretly left Laban's house without informing him and traveled a great distance to Mount Gi
	If Any Man Be in Christ - Part 3 (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a marriage hall where people were dancing and having a good time. Suddenly, the Queen of the Underworld enters and starts dancing
	(Exodus) Exodus 12:5-8 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher shares his experiences as a young preacher in Middle Tennessee. He talks about how he used to hold meetings in country churches during the summer and h
	Grain Offering - Leviticus 2 by Jacob Prasch	In this sermon, the speaker discusses his visit to the Airport Vineyard Church in Toronto and expresses his shock at the extreme and unscriptural practices he witnessed there. He e
	The Glorying of Leaven by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the preacher begins by recounting the story of Belshazzar and how he was blind to the truth and hardened to the gospel. The preacher then paraphrases Matthew chapte
	Celebrate the Feast by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, Pastor Symbola emphasizes the importance of living a life that is true to one's identity as a Christian. He highlights the destructive nature of sin and how it can
	Chapter 2 - How to Obtain Fulness of Power in Christian Life & Service by R.A. Torrey	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of the blood of Jesus in atoning for sin and justifying believers before God. The speaker highlights how Martin Luther spent many