Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:25
25. From the high place into the city So the place of this sacrifice was outside of the city, and apparently on a hill overhanging it. Communed with Saul upon the top of the house The flat roofs of oriental houses were places of evening recreation as well as sleeping places. Otto Von Gerlach supposes that the topics of this conversation upon the roof were “the deep religious and political degradation of the people of God, the oppression by the heathen, the causes of the inability of the... read more
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 9:24
24. The shoulder Or leg, ( שׁוק .) Whether of the fore or hind quarter, or from the right or left side, we are not told. The older interpreters supposed it not to have been the right shoulder, because that was given to the priests. Leviticus 7:32. But it is possible that on this occasion Samuel, as president of the sacrifice, was honoured by receiving the portion usually given to the priests, and had ordered it to be reserved for the distinguished stranger whom the Lord had told him he... read more