1 samuel 9:11 - As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?”

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 9:11

What does "1 samuel 9:11" mean?


This verse from 1 Samuel 9:11 describes a specific moment in Saul's search for his father's lost donkeys. Let's break it down:

"As they went up the ascent to the city...": Saul and his servant were approaching a city, likely the city where the prophet Samuel was residing. The phrase "the ascent" suggests the city was likely built on higher ground or a hill.

"...they found young maidens going out to draw water...": Water sources were typically outside the city walls in those times. Young women would go out regularly to draw water for their households. Finding them indicates they were near a water source just outside the city. This was a common and reliable place to find people and get information.

"...and said to them, 'Is the seer here?'": The key part of the verse. "Seer" was an older term for a prophet. Saul and his servant were inquiring about the prophet Samuel's whereabouts. They didn't know the city well and were hoping to find Samuel through these local girls. It implies they knew or were told that the prophet would likely be in that particular city.

In essence, the verse illustrates:

Saul's approach to a city, seeking information about the prophet.
The common practice of women drawing water and being a readily available source of local information.
The identification of Samuel as a "seer" rather than a "prophet", which highlights how prophets were sometimes seen in ancient Israel.

The verse sets the stage for Saul's encounter with Samuel, which is a pivotal moment in the narrative as Samuel anoints Saul as the first king of Israel. It's a simple detail that adds realism and cultural context to the story.

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