1 Samuel 9:22
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.

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].

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.

Majority 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.

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.

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 Version
And 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.

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 Bible
Then 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 Bible
And 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 1917
And 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
1 Samuel 16:11-13
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.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

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

1 Samuel 16:6-7
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” / But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

1 Samuel 24:4-7
So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. / Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. / So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.” ...

1 Samuel 2:8
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

1 Samuel 12:13
Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you.

1 Samuel 13:14
But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

1 Samuel 8:19-22
Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. / Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.” / Samuel listened to all the words of the people and repeated them in the hearing of the LORD. ...

1 Samuel 11:14-15
Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” / So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.

1 Samuel 18:5
So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well.

1 Samuel 25:30
When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel,

1 Samuel 28:17
He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.

1 Samuel 2:35
Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time.

1 Samuel 3:20
So all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.


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.

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Best Bidden Chamber Chief Chiefest Hall Head Invited Parlor Persons Room Samuel Saul Seated Servant Sit Thirty Young
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Best Bidden Chamber Chief Chiefest Hall Head Invited Parlor Persons Room Samuel Saul Seated Servant Sit Thirty Young
1 Samuel 9
1. Saul despairing to find his father's donkeys
6. 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
The hall likely refers to a place of gathering, possibly a dining area or a place for communal meetings. This setting indicates a formal occasion, suggesting that Samuel had planned this event with a specific purpose. The hall could be part of a larger complex used for religious or social gatherings, reflecting the communal nature of Israelite society.

and seated them in the place of honor
Seating Saul in the place of honor signifies his future role and the respect Samuel is showing him. In ancient Near Eastern culture, seating arrangements were a reflection of status and honor. This act foreshadows Saul's impending kingship and the divine selection that Samuel is about to reveal. It also demonstrates Samuel's recognition of God's choice, despite Saul's humble beginnings.

among those who were invited
The invited guests likely included elders, leaders, or other significant figures in the community. This gathering serves as a witness to the events unfolding, providing a communal acknowledgment of Saul's new role. The presence of these witnesses is important for the legitimacy of Saul's anointing and future reign.

about thirty in all
The number thirty may not have specific symbolic significance but indicates a sizable group, enough to represent the community or leadership. This detail emphasizes the public nature of the event and the importance of communal validation in ancient Israelite society. The gathering of thirty people also reflects the organized nature of the event, suggesting that Samuel had orchestrated this meeting with divine guidance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Samuel
A 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 Appointment
God 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.(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 Samuel
שְׁמוּאֵל֙ (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


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OT History: 1 Samuel 9:22 Samuel took Saul and his servant (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 9:21
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