1 Samuel 9:12
And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:
Original Language Analysis
וַתַּֽעֲנֶ֧ינָה
And they answered
H6030
וַתַּֽעֲנֶ֧ינָה
And they answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אוֹתָ֛ם
H853
אוֹתָ֛ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יֵּ֖שׁ
He is
H3426
יֵּ֖שׁ
He is
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
4 of 17
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
behold he is before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
behold he is before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מַהֵ֣ר׀
you make haste
H4116
מַהֵ֣ר׀
you make haste
Strong's:
H4116
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
עַתָּ֗ה
H6258
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַיּ֛וֹם
to day
H3117
הַיּ֛וֹם
to day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
10 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בָּ֣א
now for he came
H935
בָּ֣א
now for he came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לָעִ֔יר
to the city
H5892
לָעִ֔יר
to the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
12 of 17
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
זֶ֧בַח
for there is a sacrifice
H2077
זֶ֧בַח
for there is a sacrifice
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
הַיּ֛וֹם
to day
H3117
הַיּ֛וֹם
to day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Cross References
Genesis 31:54Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.1 Samuel 10:5After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:1 Samuel 16:2And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
Historical Context
High places (bamot) were elevated outdoor worship sites common before the centralization of worship in Jerusalem. While later associated with pagan practices and condemned by prophets, they served legitimate purposes during Samuel's era when the tabernacle was not functioning as the central sanctuary after Shiloh's destruction. Community sacrifices involved shared meals that strengthened social and religious bonds.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's precise timing in your life demonstrate His sovereign care over circumstances?
- What opportunities might require urgent response lest we miss God's appointed moment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:
The maidens' response overflows with urgency and detailed information, far exceeding what Saul's simple question required. Their emphatic 'He is; behold, he is before you' confirms Samuel's presence while their exhortation to 'make haste' (maharu) conveys the time-sensitive nature of the opportunity. The mention of sacrifice at the 'high place' (bamah) introduces an important setting. Before Solomon's temple, high places served as legitimate worship sites, distinct from the later corrupted bamoth associated with syncretistic worship. The communal sacrifice indicates a covenant meal where the community would eat together in God's presence. Samuel's arrival 'today' underscores providential timing: had Saul come a day earlier or later, this encounter would have missed its appointed moment. Every detail aligns with precision that can only be attributed to divine orchestration.