1 samuel 9:16 - “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.”
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What does "1 samuel 9:16" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 9:16, is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Samuel, the last judge of Israel, and the selection of Saul as the first king of Israel. Let's break down the meaning:
"“Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin..." God is speaking to Samuel here. He's giving Samuel a specific prophecy. He will send someone from the tribe of Benjamin to Samuel. This indicates divine intervention; Samuel isn't just picking a king at random, but acting on God's explicit instructions.
"...and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel." Samuel is instructed to anoint this man as "prince" (or "ruler" depending on the translation) over Israel. "Anointing" was a symbolic act of setting someone apart for a sacred office, typically by pouring oil on their head. This anointing signifies God's blessing and appointment of this man to lead Israel. The word "prince" is significant because it doesn't imply absolute kingship, but rather leadership under God.
"He will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines..." This is the core purpose for which this man is being chosen. The Philistines were a constant threat to Israel at this time, frequently raiding and oppressing them. God is promising to raise up a leader who will deliver Israel from Philistine oppression. This speaks to the immediate need for a strong military leader.
"...for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.”" This reveals God's compassion and responsiveness to the suffering of the Israelites. Their prayers and distress have reached God, and He is acting to alleviate their suffering. The phrase "I have looked upon my people" emphasizes God's attentiveness and care.
In essence, this verse means:
God is responding to the cries of His people.
He is appointing a leader, from the tribe of Benjamin, to deliver them from the Philistines.
Samuel is to anoint this man as prince, marking him as divinely chosen.
This is not just a political appointment, but a divinely ordained rescue mission.
This verse sets the stage for the introduction of Saul, who is about to unexpectedly meet Samuel. It is important to note that while God chooses Saul initially, Saul's later disobedience and lack of faithfulness ultimately lead to his rejection as king. This verse is not an unconditional endorsement of Saul, but rather a promise of a leader to address a specific need at a specific time.
1 samuel 9:16 - “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.”
What does "1 samuel 9:16" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 9:16, is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Samuel, the last judge of Israel, and the selection of Saul as the first king of Israel. Let's break down the meaning:
"“Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin..." God is speaking to Samuel here. He's giving Samuel a specific prophecy. He will send someone from the tribe of Benjamin to Samuel. This indicates divine intervention; Samuel isn't just picking a king at random, but acting on God's explicit instructions.
"...and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel." Samuel is instructed to anoint this man as "prince" (or "ruler" depending on the translation) over Israel. "Anointing" was a symbolic act of setting someone apart for a sacred office, typically by pouring oil on their head. This anointing signifies God's blessing and appointment of this man to lead Israel. The word "prince" is significant because it doesn't imply absolute kingship, but rather leadership under God.
"He will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines..." This is the core purpose for which this man is being chosen. The Philistines were a constant threat to Israel at this time, frequently raiding and oppressing them. God is promising to raise up a leader who will deliver Israel from Philistine oppression. This speaks to the immediate need for a strong military leader.
"...for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.”" This reveals God's compassion and responsiveness to the suffering of the Israelites. Their prayers and distress have reached God, and He is acting to alleviate their suffering. The phrase "I have looked upon my people" emphasizes God's attentiveness and care.
In essence, this verse means:
God is responding to the cries of His people.
He is appointing a leader, from the tribe of Benjamin, to deliver them from the Philistines.
Samuel is to anoint this man as prince, marking him as divinely chosen.
This is not just a political appointment, but a divinely ordained rescue mission.
This verse sets the stage for the introduction of Saul, who is about to unexpectedly meet Samuel. It is important to note that while God chooses Saul initially, Saul's later disobedience and lack of faithfulness ultimately lead to his rejection as king. This verse is not an unconditional endorsement of Saul, but rather a promise of a leader to address a specific need at a specific time.