1 Samuel 9:10
Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.
Original Language Analysis
לְנַֽעֲר֛וֹ
to his servant
H5288
לְנַֽעֲר֛וֹ
to his servant
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
3 of 14
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
ט֥וֹב
Well
H2896
ט֥וֹב
Well
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
4 of 14
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
דְּבָֽרְךָ֖
Then said
H1697
דְּבָֽרְךָ֖
Then said
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לְכָ֣ה׀
H1980
לְכָ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 14
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
נֵלֵ֑כָה
H1980
נֵלֵ֑כָה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
7 of 14
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙
H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 14
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הָעִ֔יר
unto the city
H5892
הָעִ֔יר
unto the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
10 of 14
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
Historical Context
The unnamed city is generally identified as Ramah, Samuel's hometown (7:17). The journey from Zuph territory to the city would have been relatively short, as these locations were in close proximity. The phrase 'man of God' continues to emphasize Samuel's prophetic identity rather than his judicial or priestly functions.
Questions for Reflection
- How receptive are you to counsel that redirects your plans toward God's purposes?
- What seemingly small decisions have led to significant spiritual turning points in your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.
Saul's approval of the servant's suggestion, 'Well said' (tov debareka, literally 'good is your word'), demonstrates his capacity to receive counsel, a quality that would later diminish as pride corroded his character. The phrase marks a decisive turning point: Saul now moves toward his divine appointment. The Hebrew construction emphasizes purposeful movement: 'they went unto the city where the man of God was.' Every step brings them closer to an encounter that would reshape Israel's history. The simplicity of the verse belies its significance: an ordinary decision to seek help finding donkeys initiates the formal establishment of Israelite monarchy. The servant's wisdom and Saul's receptivity work together under divine sovereignty, illustrating how human agency and divine providence interweave in the fabric of redemptive history.