Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited—about thirty in number. New Living Translation Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and placed them at the head of the table, honoring them above the thirty special guests. English Standard Version Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons. Berean Standard Bible Then Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited—about thirty in all. Berean Literal Bible And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the hall and had them sit in the place of honor of those called, and they were about thirty persons. King James Bible And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons. New King James Version Now Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and had them sit in the place of honor among those who were invited; there were about thirty persons. New American Standard Bible Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty men. NASB 1995 Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty men. NASB 1977 Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty men. Legacy Standard Bible Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the chamber and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty men. Amplified Bible Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall [at the high place] and gave them a place [to sit] at the head of the persons—about thirty men—who were invited [while the rest ate outside]. Berean Annotated Bible Then Samuel (his name is El) took Saul (desired) and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited—about thirty in all. Christian Standard Bible Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them to the banquet hall, and gave them a place at the head of the thirty or so men who had been invited. Holman Christian Standard Bible Samuel took Saul and his attendant, brought them to the banquet hall, and gave them a place at the head of the 30 or so men who had been invited. American Standard Version And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest-chamber, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, who were about thirty persons. Contemporary English Version Samuel took Saul and his servant into the dining room at the place of worship. About 30 people were there for the dinner, but Samuel gave Saul and his servant the places of honor. English Revised Version And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest-chamber, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons. GOD'S WORD® Translation Samuel brought Saul and his servant to the banquet hall and had them sit at the head of the guests-about 30 people. Good News Translation Then Samuel led Saul and his servant into the large room and gave them a place at the head of the table where the guests, about thirty in all, were seated. International Standard Version Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them to a room where he gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, of whom there were about 30 men. NET Bible Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the room and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited. There were about thirty people present. New Heart English Bible Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons. Webster's Bible Translation And Samuel took Saul, and his servant, and brought them into the parlor, and made them sit in the chief place among them that were invited, who were about thirty persons. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited—about thirty in all. World English Bible Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Samuel takes Saul, and his young man, and brings them into the chamber, and gives a place to them at the head of those called; and they [are] about thirty men. Berean Literal Bible And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the hall and had them sit in the place of honor of those called, and they were about thirty persons. Young's Literal Translation And Samuel taketh Saul, and his young man, and bringeth them in to the chamber, and giveth to them a place at the head of those called; and they are about thirty men. Smith's Literal Translation And Samuel will take Saul and his boy, and will bring them to the chamber, and will give to them place among the first of those being called, and they about thirty men. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen Samuel taking Saul and his servant, brought them into the parlour, and gave them a place at the head of them that were invited. For there were about thirty men. Catholic Public Domain Version And so Samuel, taking Saul and his servant, brought them into the dining room, and he gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited. For there were about thirty men. New American Bible Samuel then took Saul and his servant and brought them into the room. He seated them at the head of the guests, of whom there were about thirty. New Revised Standard Version Then Samuel took Saul and his servant-boy and brought them into the hall, and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, of whom there were about thirty. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the house, and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty persons. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Shemueil took Shaul and his boy and brought them to the house, and he gave them the place at the head of those invited, and they were about thirty men OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the chamber, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, who were about thirty persons. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them to the inn, and set them there a place among the chief of those that were called, about seventy men. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Saul Chosen as King…21Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?” 22Then Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited — about thirty in all. 23And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.”… Cross References Then Samuel took Saul and his servant, 1 Samuel 16:11-12 And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” / So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” Acts 9:27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus. Matthew 26:37 He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. brought them into the hall, Matthew 22:10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. Esther 5:5 “Hurry,” commanded the king, “and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared. John 2:8-10 “Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, / and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside / and said, “Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!” and seated them in the place of honor Mark 12:39 and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. Luke 14:8-10 “When you are invited to a wedding banquet, do not sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited. / Then the host who invited both of you will come and tell you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ And in humiliation, you will have to take the last place. / But when you are invited, go and sit in the last place, so that your host will come and tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in front of everyone at the table with you. James 2:1-3 My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. / Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. / If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,” among those who were invited— Matthew 22:3-9 He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. / Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ / But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business. … Luke 14:16-24 But Jesus replied, “A certain man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. / When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ / But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’ … Revelation 19:9 Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” about thirty in all. Judges 14:11 And when the Philistines saw him, they selected thirty men to accompany him. Judges 14:12 “Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can solve it for me within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance? 1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel Treasury of Scripture And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlor, and made them sit in the most chief place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons. in the chiefest Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians. Luke 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. Jump to Previous Best Bidden Chamber Chief Chiefest Hall Head Invited Parlor Persons Room Samuel Saul Seated Servant Sit Thirty YoungJump to Next Best Bidden Chamber Chief Chiefest Hall Head Invited Parlor Persons Room Samuel Saul Seated Servant Sit Thirty Young1 Samuel 9 1. Saul despairing to find his father's donkeys6. by the counsel of his servant 11. and direction of young maidens 15. according to God's revelation 18. comes to Samuel 19. Samuel entertains Saul at the feast 25. Samuel, after secret communication, brings Saul on his way Then Samuel took Saul and his servant This phrase highlights the initiative of Samuel, the prophet, in guiding Saul. Samuel's role as a prophet and judge in Israel is significant, as he acts as God's representative. Saul, who is from the tribe of Benjamin, is being introduced to a new phase in his life, which will lead to his anointing as the first king of Israel. The presence of Saul's servant underscores the social norms of the time, where servants often accompanied their masters. brought them into the hall and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited about thirty in all Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelA prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel is a pivotal figure in the transition from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy. He is known for his obedience to God and his role in anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. 2. Saul The son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, Saul is chosen by God to be the first king of Israel. At this point in the account, Saul is unaware of his future role as king. 3. Saul's Servant Accompanies Saul on his journey to find his father's lost donkeys, demonstrating loyalty and support. 4. The Hall A place of gathering where Samuel hosts a meal, symbolizing a place of honor and significance. 5. The Invited Guests About thirty people who were invited to the meal, representing the elders or leaders of the community, highlighting the importance of the event. Teaching Points Divine AppointmentGod orchestrates events in our lives for His purposes, often beyond our understanding. Saul's journey to find donkeys leads to his anointing as king, showing God's sovereign hand in our lives. Humility and Honor Saul's placement at the head of the table is a reminder that God exalts the humble. We should seek humility, trusting that God will honor us in His timing. God's Preparation God prepares us for future roles and responsibilities, often through ordinary circumstances. We should be faithful in small tasks, knowing they may lead to greater purposes. Community and Leadership The gathering of leaders at the meal signifies the importance of community in leadership. God often uses community to affirm and support His chosen leaders. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 9:22?2. How does 1 Samuel 9:22 demonstrate God's sovereignty in choosing leaders? 3. What can we learn from Samuel's hospitality towards Saul in 1 Samuel 9:22? 4. How does 1 Samuel 9:22 connect to God's plan for Israel's monarchy? 5. How can we apply Samuel's example of leadership in our own lives today? 6. What does Samuel's treatment of Saul teach about respecting God's anointed leaders? 7. Why did Samuel honor Saul with a place at the head of the table in 1 Samuel 9:22? 8. What significance does the seating arrangement in 1 Samuel 9:22 have in ancient Israelite culture? 9. How does 1 Samuel 9:22 reflect God's choice of leaders? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 9? 11. Can the events in 1 Samuel 9:22-24, where Saul is given an honored portion of meat, be verified by any archaeological or external ancient Near Eastern sources supporting such practices? 12. Does 1 Samuel 9:15-17, describing God's direct revelation to Samuel about Saul, conflict with other biblical texts suggesting a more gradual or indirect selection of leaders? 13. How can 1 Samuel 9:1-2 claim Saul was from a 'mighty' or 'wealthy' family when some extrabiblical historical records do not corroborate this social status? 14. If Saul previously admitted David's righteousness in 1 Samuel 24, why is he chasing David again in 1 Samuel 26? What Does 1 Samuel 9:22 Mean Then Samuel took Saul and his servant• The action begins with Samuel, the prophet and judge, personally reaching for Saul and his attendant. This is more than courtesy; it signals God’s sovereign choice already revealed to Samuel earlier that day (1 Samuel 9:15-17). • Saul has not come seeking kingship—he is looking for lost donkeys—yet the Lord reaches for him first, echoing Jesus’ words, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). • The inclusion of Saul’s servant underscores that when God calls, He graciously gathers all who are connected, much like Joshua assuring “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). Brought them into the hall • The hall is a banquet room attached to the high place (1 Samuel 9:12-13). In Scripture, entering a prepared meal often signifies fellowship with God—think of Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me,” or Jesus dining with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5-7). • Saul moves from the ordinary task of looking for animals to sharing in sacred fellowship, illustrating Revelation 3:20: “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him.” • The moment anticipates Saul’s anointing in the next chapter (1 Samuel 10:1); before public appointment comes private communion. and seated them in the place of honor • Samuel assigns Saul the chief seat. Proverbs 18:16 explains, “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men,” and Luke 14:10 advises, “Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.” • The seat foreshadows Saul’s royal role. Though Saul feels insignificant (1 Samuel 9:21), God exalts the humble—precisely as Hannah had prayed, “He raises the poor from the dust … to seat them with princes” (1 Samuel 2:8). • Honor here is God-given, not self-sought. By seating Saul first, Samuel publicly affirms what God privately declared. among those who were invited—about thirty in all • The invited group, roughly thirty, forms reliable witnesses, paralleling “every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15). • Thirty companions at a feast recall Samson’s wedding (Judges 14:11) and Jesus’ banquet with Levi (Luke 5:29); both scenes mark turning points in leadership callings. • The number is small enough for intimacy but large enough for recognition. God’s works are often unveiled in everyday settings before ordinary people, so none can claim the event was hidden or manipulated. summary 1 Samuel 9:22 shows Samuel intentionally guiding Saul from anonymity to honor. By taking Saul, bringing him into the hall, seating him foremost, and doing so before thirty witnesses, God publicly signals His choice of Israel’s first king. The verse teaches that divine calling originates with God, is affirmed in fellowship, is marked by honor that God Himself bestows, and is witnessed in community. (22) And Samuel took Saul.--The seer gave Saul no answer to this question, in which the young man's wonderment was expressed that one so insignificant should be chosen for so high a destiny. Samuel merely wished, in the first instance, to awaken new and grander thoughts and aspirations in this young heart, and without reply he proceeded to conduct his guests to the scene of the sacrifice on the high place. In the guest-chamber, where thirty of the most distinguished persons present at the solemn sacrifice were assembled. Samuel places Saul and his companion, no doubt to their great surprise, in the principal seats. "The parlour" is an unfortunate rendering of the Hebrew word here, which signifies the "cell," or "chamber" attached to the building on the high place, for such purposes as the present. These solemn sacrificial meals were the usual adjuncts of a solemn sacrifice.Not only was Saul thus highly honoured in public as the future king, but his servant also. If, as tradition tells us, this servant was Doeg the Edomite, he, too, on this occasion had a foretaste of his future position, an earnest of the rank and power which he would receive when one of Saul's great officers of state. Verses 22, 23. - Into the parlour. Strictly the cell or room attached to the chapel of the high place, now used as the guest chamber, wherein the thirty chief men, who came as invited guests, were to dine. The rest of the people would be in the open air. There Samuel not only placed Saul in the seat of honour, but also his servant, as representing the king's officers of state, and commanded the cook to set before him a portion that had been reserved. This was the shoulder; but whether it was the left shoulder, of which the laity might eat, or the right shoulder, which was sacred, as belonging to the priest (Leviticus 7:32), is not mentioned. If the latter, it was Samuel s own share, and he may by his prophetic authority have assigned it to Saul, in token that the priesthood would be subject to the royal power. Be this, however, as it may, it was the portion of honour, and it seems that Samuel, on receiving intimation the previous day of Saul's visit (ver. 6), had given orders that it should be carefully reserved for him (ver. 24). He now orders it to be set before Saul, with that which was upon it, i.e. all the flesh and the fat not appointed to be burnt upon the altar.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Samuelשְׁמוּאֵל֙ (šə·mū·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel took וַיִּקַּ֤ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take Saul שָׁא֣וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites and וְאֶֽת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case his servant, נַעֲר֔וֹ (na·‘ă·rōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer brought them וַיְבִיאֵ֖ם (way·ḇî·’êm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go into the hall, לִשְׁכָּ֑תָה (liš·kā·ṯāh) Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 3957: Room, chamber, hall, cell and seated וַיִּתֵּ֨ן (way·yit·tên) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set them לָהֶ֤ם (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew in the place מָקוֹם֙ (mā·qō·wm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition of honor בְּרֹ֣אשׁ (bə·rōš) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7218: The head among those who were invited— הַקְּרוּאִ֔ים (haq·qə·rū·’îm) Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read about thirty כִּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים (kiš·lō·šîm) Preposition-k | Number - common plural Strong's 7970: Thirty, thirtieth in all. אִֽישׁ׃ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person Links 1 Samuel 9:22 NIV1 Samuel 9:22 NLT 1 Samuel 9:22 ESV 1 Samuel 9:22 NASB 1 Samuel 9:22 KJV 1 Samuel 9:22 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 9:22 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 9:22 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 9:22 French Bible 1 Samuel 9:22 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 9:22 Samuel took Saul and his servant (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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