1 Samuel 9:4 NIV,NKJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:3-10

Here is, I. A great man rising from small beginnings. It does not appear that Saul had any preferment at all, or was in any post of honour or trust, till he was chosen king of Israel. Most that are advanced rise gradually, but Saul, from the level with his neighbours, stepped at once into the throne, according to that of Hannah, He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, to set them among princes, 1 Sam. 2:8. Saul, it should seem, though he was himself married and had children grown up, yet lived... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:4

And they passed through Mount Ephraim ,.... The mountainous part of that tribe, which lay contiguous to the tribe of Benjamin, where it might be supposed the asses had strayed to: and passed through the land of Shalisha ; a tract in the tribe of Benjamin, so called from some illustrious person, prince, and duke of it; in it very probably was the place called Baalshalisha; 2 Kings 4:42 and which perhaps is the same Jerom calls F24 De loc. Heb. fol. 89. K. Bethshalisha; and says... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1-10

Divine consideration. The facts are— 1 . Saul the son of Kish, a wealthy Benjamite, and remarkable for stature and goodliness, seeks his father's asses. 2 . Not finding them, he fears lest his father should be anxious about his own safety, and suggests a return home. 3 . His servant advises a recourse to a distinguished man of God then in those parts. 4 . Obtaining a small present, Saul resolves to consult the man of God concerning the lost asses. A great crisis has come in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:4

Mount Ephraim. Though Gibeah, Saul's home, was in Benjamin, it was situated on this long mountain range ( 1 Samuel 1:1 ). The land of Shalisha. I.e. Three-land, and probably, therefore, the region round Baal-shalisha. It takes its name from the three valleys which there converge in the great Wady Kurawa, The land of Shalim. I.e. of jackals; probably the same as the land of Shual, also = jackal-land ( 1 Samuel 13:17 ). The very name shows that it was a wild, uninhabited region.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 9:4

The land of Shalisha was somewhere near Gilgal, i. e., Jiljulieh. It is thought to derive its name from “three” (Shalosh) wadys which unite in the wady of Karawa. The situation of Shalim is not known: its etymology connects it more probably with the land of Shual 1 Samuel 13:17, apparently round Taiyibeh, which was about nine miles from Gibeah.Zuph - 1 Samuel 9:5, see 1 Samuel 1:1 note. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1-27

Samuel’s prediction about Saul (9:1-10:16)Saul, who became Israel’s first king, originally had no desire for political power and little interest in the spiritual ministry of Samuel. As the son of a wealthy landowner, he was more concerned about the loss of his father’s donkeys, and the worry he might cause his father by being away so long in search of them (9:1-5). This concern led him to seek help from Samuel. He thought that Samuel, with his ability to see visions and make predictions, could... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 9:4

he . Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "they", as in 1 Samuel 9:6 . mount = the hill country of. take thought = be anxious. Compare Matthew 6:25 , Matthew 6:27 , Matthew 6:28 , Matthew 6:31 , Matthew 6:34 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 9:4

4, 5. he passed through mount Ephraim—This being situated on the north of Benjamin, indicates the direction of Saul's journey. The district explored means the whole of the mountainous region, with its valleys and defiles, which belonged to Ephraim. Turning apparently southwards—probably through the verdant hills between Shiloh and the vales of Jordan (Shalisha and Shalim)—he approached again the borders of Benjamin, scoured the land of Zuph, and was proposing to return, when his servant... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 9:1-16

2. The anointing of Saul 9:1-10:16In chapters 9-11 the writer painted Saul as the ideal man to serve as king from the human viewpoint. This pericope (1 Samuel 9:1 to 1 Samuel 10:16) sets forth his personal conduct. [Note: See the series of three articles on Saul by W. Lee Humphries listed in the bibliography of these notes. Especially helpful is, "The Tragedy of King Saul: A Study of the Structure of 1 Samuel 9-31."] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 9:3-14

Saul’s personal traits 9:3-14Saul’s concern for his father’s peace of mind was commendable. It shows a sensitivity that would have been an asset in a king (1 Samuel 9:5). Likewise his desire to give Samuel a present for his help was praiseworthy (1 Samuel 9:7; cf. 1 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 8:8-9). Saul had some appreciation for social propriety. He was also humble enough to ask directions from a woman (1 Samuel 9:11-14). Years later, at the end of the story of Saul’s reign, the king asked... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:3-10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 9:4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:1-27

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 9:4

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 9:4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 9:1-16

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 9:3-14

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