1 Samuel 9:3
And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.
Original Language Analysis
וַתֹּאבַ֙דְנָה֙
were lost
H6
וַתֹּאבַ֙דְנָה֙
were lost
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
אֲבִ֣י
father
H1
אֲבִ֣י
father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
4 of 21
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
בְּנ֗וֹ
his son
H1121
בְּנ֗וֹ
his son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נָ֤א
H4994
נָ֤א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
12 of 21
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אִתְּךָ֙
H854
אִתְּךָ֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַחַ֣ד
now one
H259
אַחַ֣ד
now one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
מֵֽהַנְּעָרִ֔ים
of the servants
H5288
מֵֽהַנְּעָרִ֔ים
of the servants
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
16 of 21
(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
וְק֣וּם
with thee and arise
H6965
וְק֣וּם
with thee and arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
17 of 21
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
לֵ֔ךְ
H1980
לֵ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
18 of 21
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בַּקֵּ֖שׁ
seek
H1245
בַּקֵּ֖שׁ
seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
19 of 21
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
Historical Context
Donkeys were essential to Israelite economy, valued for transport across hilly terrain where horses were impractical. A wealthy household like Kish's would have possessed multiple animals. The search for lost livestock was a common occurrence that could span several days and cover significant distances across tribal territories.
Questions for Reflection
- How might God be using ordinary circumstances in your life to direct you toward His greater purposes?
- What does Saul's obedience in this mundane task reveal about preparation for larger responsibilities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.
Divine providence often works through mundane circumstances, and here lost donkeys become the catalyst for Israel's monarchical transformation. The Hebrew athonoth (female donkeys) were valuable property, used for transport and as a measure of wealth. Kish's command reveals the normal rhythms of agricultural life from which Saul would be called. This literary technique of using ordinary events to advance God's extraordinary purposes appears throughout Scripture, from Joseph's brothers seeking grain to Ruth gleaning in Boaz's field. The instruction to 'arise' (qum) carries subtle royal undertones, as this verb frequently accompanies divine calls to leadership. Saul's obedient response to his father's mundane request unknowingly initiates his journey toward the throne, demonstrating how faithfulness in small duties positions one for greater callings.