1 Samuel 10:15
And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.
Original Language Analysis
דּ֣וֹד
uncle
H1730
דּ֣וֹד
uncle
Strong's:
H1730
Word #:
2 of 10
(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
שָׁא֑וּל
And Saul's
H7586
שָׁא֑וּל
And Saul's
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
3 of 10
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
הַגִּֽידָה
Tell
H5046
הַגִּֽידָה
Tell
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
נָּ֣א
H4994
נָּ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
5 of 10
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
Historical Context
In ancient Israel, prophetic words were taken seriously as divine communication. Samuel's prominence made any private consultation significant. The uncle's pressing inquiry reflects the social reality that prophetic messages could affect entire families and clans.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you handle pressure from well-meaning people to share what God has privately revealed?
- What wisdom can we learn about timing in sharing what God has shown us?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.
The uncle's persistent inquiry 'tell me, I pray thee' (haggidah-na li) uses the emphatic particle 'na,' intensifying his request. He presses beyond the journey's itinerary to the substance of Samuel's message. This pressure tested Saul's discretion. Samuel was not merely a local seer but Israel's prophetic leader; any message from him carried national significance. The uncle's curiosity was natural, perhaps even anxious - what counsel had the prophet given his nephew? Yet some matters between God's prophet and God's chosen are not for public disclosure until God's timing reveals them. Jesus similarly instructed disciples to tell no one about certain revelations until the appropriate time (Matthew 17:9). The question also foreshadows how Saul would later be scrutinized: kings live under constant observation, their words and actions publicly evaluated.