1 samuel 9:12 - They answered them, and said, “He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he has come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 9:12

What does "1 samuel 9:12" mean?


This verse is a key moment in the story of Saul's encounter with Samuel in 1 Samuel 9. Let's break down the meaning:

"They answered them, and said, “He is." This refers to Saul and his servant asking some young women where Samuel, the seer, could be found. The women respond that he is indeed in town.

"Behold, he is before you." This means that Samuel is nearby, and they will soon be able to see him.

"Hurry now, for he has come today into the city." The women emphasize the urgency of the situation. Samuel is only in town for a short time, and they need to find him quickly if they want to speak with him.

"For the people have a sacrifice today in the high place." This explains why Samuel is in town. A "high place" was a local shrine or worship site. Samuel, as a religious leader, is there to officiate a sacrifice. The sacrifice is a significant communal event.

In essence, the verse is saying:

Samuel is in town and nearby.
You need to hurry to find him because he won't be here long.
He's here to preside over a sacrifice at the high place, a significant religious event for the community.

Significance in the context of the story:

This verse is pivotal in setting up the encounter between Saul and Samuel, which will lead to Saul's anointing as the first king of Israel.
The urgency and the reference to the sacrifice highlight the importance of the moment. Divine purpose is unfolding.
The verse creates a sense of anticipation and sets the stage for the momentous meeting between Saul and Samuel.
It is important to note that "high places" would later be regarded as illegitimate sites of worship that were not condoned by God. In this early stage of Israel's history, however, they were sites of local worship.