1 samuel 9:8 - The servant answered Saul again, and said, “Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.”
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What does "1 samuel 9:8" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 9:8 provides a snapshot into the cultural and religious practices of the time. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: Saul and his servant are searching for Saul's father's lost donkeys. They've reached a point where they're unsure where to go. The servant suggests seeking help from a "man of God" (likely a prophet or seer) who can guide them.
"The servant answered Saul again..." This highlights a conversation already in progress. The servant is now responding to Saul's concern or objection.
"...Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver." This is crucial. The servant is admitting he has a small amount of money with him – a "fourth part of a shekel of silver." A shekel was a unit of weight, often used for silver and gold. It was also a currency. A fourth part of a shekel was a relatively small sum. This implies the servant wasn't wealthy.
"I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way." This is the key point. The servant is proposing to pay the "man of God" (the prophet or seer) for his services. This highlights:
Payment for Prophecy: It was common practice (though not necessarily universally accepted) to offer a gift or payment to a prophet in exchange for their guidance or divinatory services.
Small Offering: The small amount of money suggests either that this was the only money they had available, or that this was a customary or expected offering for a simple request.
Expectation of Guidance: The servant believes the "man of God" has the ability to "tell us our way," meaning he can provide direction, perhaps through divine insight or knowledge.
In essence, the verse illustrates:
The value placed on spiritual guidance: People sought the wisdom of prophets or seers.
The practice of giving offerings to those who provided spiritual guidance.
The lengths to which people would go to find lost possessions (in this case, donkeys).
The verse also sets the stage for Saul's encounter with the prophet Samuel, which will have a profound impact on Saul's life and the history of Israel. It's a simple detail, but it reveals the everyday beliefs and customs of the time.
1 samuel 9:8 - The servant answered Saul again, and said, “Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.”
What does "1 samuel 9:8" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 9:8 provides a snapshot into the cultural and religious practices of the time. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: Saul and his servant are searching for Saul's father's lost donkeys. They've reached a point where they're unsure where to go. The servant suggests seeking help from a "man of God" (likely a prophet or seer) who can guide them.
"The servant answered Saul again..." This highlights a conversation already in progress. The servant is now responding to Saul's concern or objection.
"...Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver." This is crucial. The servant is admitting he has a small amount of money with him – a "fourth part of a shekel of silver." A shekel was a unit of weight, often used for silver and gold. It was also a currency. A fourth part of a shekel was a relatively small sum. This implies the servant wasn't wealthy.
"I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way." This is the key point. The servant is proposing to pay the "man of God" (the prophet or seer) for his services. This highlights:
Payment for Prophecy: It was common practice (though not necessarily universally accepted) to offer a gift or payment to a prophet in exchange for their guidance or divinatory services.
Small Offering: The small amount of money suggests either that this was the only money they had available, or that this was a customary or expected offering for a simple request.
Expectation of Guidance: The servant believes the "man of God" has the ability to "tell us our way," meaning he can provide direction, perhaps through divine insight or knowledge.
In essence, the verse illustrates:
The value placed on spiritual guidance: People sought the wisdom of prophets or seers.
The practice of giving offerings to those who provided spiritual guidance.
The lengths to which people would go to find lost possessions (in this case, donkeys).
The verse also sets the stage for Saul's encounter with the prophet Samuel, which will have a profound impact on Saul's life and the history of Israel. It's a simple detail, but it reveals the everyday beliefs and customs of the time.