1 Samuel 9:14
1 Samuel 9:14 in Multiple Translations
So 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.
And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
And they went up to the city; and as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place.
So they went up to the town, and when they came inside the town, Samuel came face to face with them on his way to the high place.
So they carried on their way up to the town. As they arrived there was Samuel going in the opposite direction. They met him on his way up to the high place.
Then they went vp into the citie, and when they were come into the middes of the citie, Samuel came out against them, to goe vp to the hie place.
And they go up in to the city; they are coming in to the midst of the city, and lo, Samuel is coming out to meet them, to go up to the high place;
They went up to the city. As they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them to go up to the high place.
And they went up into the city: and when they had come into the city, behold, Samuel came out meeting them, to go up to the high place.
And they went up into the city. And when they were walking in the midst of the city, behold Samuel was coming out over against them, to go up to the high place.
So Saul and the servant entered the town. As they went through the gates, they saw Samuel as he was coming toward them, on the way to where people were going to offer sacrifices.
After they got to that place, they saw the old man Samuel as he came towards them. He wanted to go up the hill, to the place where they used to burn meat to give to God.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 9:14
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 9:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יַּעֲל֖וּ
הָ/עִ֑יר
הֵ֗מָּה
בָּאִים֙
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
הָ/עִ֔יר
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
שְׁמוּאֵל֙
יֹצֵ֣א
לִ/קְרָאתָ֔/ם
לַ/עֲל֖וֹת
הַ/בָּמָֽה
וַֽ/יַּעֲל֖וּ
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
הָ/עִ֑יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Art | N-fs
הֵ֗מָּה
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
בָּאִים֙
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
midst
Prep | N-ms
הָ/עִ֔יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Art | N-fs
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part
שְׁמוּאֵל֙
Shᵉmûwʼêl
H8050
Shemuel
N-proper
יֹצֵ֣א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal
לִ/קְרָאתָ֔/ם
qârâʼ
H7122
to encounter
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
לַ/עֲל֖וֹת
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
הַ/בָּמָֽה
bâmâh
H1116
high place
Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 9:14
וַֽ/יַּעֲל֖וּ
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
הָ/עִ֑יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Art | 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.
הֵ֗מָּה
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
בָּאִים֙
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal
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.
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
"midst"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
הָ/עִ֔יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Art | 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.
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Conj | 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.
שְׁמוּאֵל֙
Shᵉmûwʼêl
H8050
"Shemuel"
N-proper
Shemuel was the name of three Israelites, including a judge and prophet of Israel during the time of King Saul and King David. His name means his name is El and he was the son of Elkanah and Hannah.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Issachar living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.2; son of: Tola (H8439); brother of: Uzzi (H5813H), Rephaiah (H7509I), Jeriel (H3400), Jahmai (H3181) and Ibsam (H3005) § Samuel = "his name is El" 1) son of Elkanah by his wife Hannah and judge or prophet of Israel during the days of Saul and David 2) son Ammihud and the prince of the tribe of Simeon who was chosen to divide the land of Canaan between the tribes. Spelled 'Shemuel' 3) son of Tola and grandson of Issachar. Spelled 'Shemuel'
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: Samuel, Shemuel. See also: Numbers 34:20; 1 Samuel 12:1; Psalms 99:6.
יֹצֵ֣א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
לִ/קְרָאתָ֔/ם
qârâʼ
H7122
"to encounter"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
This word means to encounter or meet someone, either by chance or on purpose. It can describe a friendly meeting or a hostile one. In Exodus, the Israelites encountered God on Mount Sinai.
Definition: : meet 1) to encounter, befall, meet 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to meet, encounter 1a2) to befall (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: befall, (by) chance, (cause to) come (upon), fall out, happen, meet. See also: Genesis 42:4; 1 Samuel 17:48; Isaiah 51:19.
לַ/עֲל֖וֹת
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
הַ/בָּמָֽה
bâmâh
H1116
"high place"
Art | 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 9:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- 1 Samuel 9:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 9:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 9:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:14
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:14
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 9:14
Context — Saul Chosen as King
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.
15Now on the day before Saul’s arrival, the LORD had revealed to Samuel, 16“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”1 Samuel 9:14 Summary
In 1 Samuel 9:14, Saul and his servant met Samuel as they were entering the city, and this encounter was a pivotal moment in Saul's life. Samuel was on his way to the high place to worship and offer sacrifices to God, demonstrating his commitment to his spiritual duties (as seen in 1 Samuel 9:12-13). This verse reminds us that God is always at work, even when we're not aware of it, and He can use everyday encounters to bring about significant changes in our lives (as seen in Genesis 24:27). By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can have confidence that He is guiding our steps, just as He did with Saul and Samuel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the high place in 1 Samuel 9:14?
The high place was a location where the people would offer sacrifices to God, as seen in 1 Samuel 9:12-13, and it symbolized a place of worship and connection with God, similar to the altar in Genesis 12:7-8.
Why did Saul and his servant encounter Samuel at this particular moment?
The encounter was not a coincidence, but rather a divine appointment, as God had revealed to Samuel the day before that he would meet a man from the land of Benjamin, as stated in 1 Samuel 9:15-16.
What can we learn from the fact that Samuel was on his way to the high place?
This detail highlights Samuel's commitment to his spiritual duties and his role as a leader in the community, demonstrating the importance of prioritizing worship and spiritual responsibilities, as emphasized in Psalm 95:6-7.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of Saul's life and reign?
This encounter sets the stage for Samuel's anointing of Saul as the leader of Israel, which would have significant consequences for the nation, as seen in 1 Samuel 10:1 and 1 Samuel 15:1-3.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which God orchestrates encounters in our lives, just as He did with Saul and Samuel?
- How can we, like Samuel, prioritize our spiritual responsibilities and cultivate a deeper connection with God?
- What can we learn from Saul's openness to following the directions of the people in 1 Samuel 9:12-13, and how can we apply this to our own decision-making processes?
- In what ways can we trust in God's sovereignty, even when we don't understand the circumstances or timing of events, as seen in 1 Samuel 9:15-16?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 9:14
And they went up into the city,.... Saul and his servant went up the hill to the city of Ramah: and when they were come into the city; were within it, within the walls of it; behold, Samuel came out
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 9:14
And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place. Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:14
Samuel came out; out of his own house, just as they passed by.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:14
1 Samuel 9:14 And they went up into the city: [and] when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.Ver. 14. Samuel came out against them.] Not without divine direction. When God will have a thing done, there shall be a sweet subordination of causes, and all things shall cooperate.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:14
(14) Behold, Samuel came out against them.—“Saul comes before Samuel, bashfully pursuing his humble quest, in apparent unconsciousness of the power slumbering within him of aspiring and attaining to the highest place; the great seer receives him in a way quite different from all that he could have hoped or feared. At the moment of their meeting the seer has come forth from his house on the way to the solitary sacred heights of Ramah, the city of his residence, where he sacrifices on the altar to Jahveh, or is wont to partake of a sacred sacrificial repast with some of his closest friends. He at once desires to take Saul also with him, telling him beforehand how unimportant was the immediate object of his inquiries, and that the matter was already settled; but that for him and his whole house was reserved a very different and far better destiny in Israel. And though Saul, in his unassuming simplicity, would fain waive the honour which is obscurely hinted (so little does he yet know his better self), the holy man, more discerning, takes him with him to the sacrificial meal, which is already prepared; nay, assigns him the place of honour among the thirty guests before invited, while he is served with a portion of the sacrificial meat, put by, as it were, specially for him: for in like manner a portion other and higher than that of ordinary men had been long reserved for him by heaven.”—Ewald.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:14
Verse 14. Come out against them] Met them.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 9:14
14. and when they were come into the city] Rather, as they were coming into the midst of the city, behold Samuel was coming out to meet them. In the E. V. this verse apparently disagrees with 1 Samuel 9:18. The correct translation makes all clear. Saul and his servant ascend the hill. As they enter the city they meet Samuel “in the gate” (1 Samuel 9:18). The Sept. reads “gate” here, and “city” in 1 Samuel 9:18, but the change is unnecessary. The high place was either on the top of the hill on the slope of which the city stood, or on the adjacent hill from which the city had its name Ramathaim (“the two heights”). See note on 1 Samuel 1:1. ‘Against’ here = ‘opposite to,’ as in Genesis 15:10. So Tyndale in Genesis 32:1 has “Jacob saw the angels of God come against him.”