1 Samuel 9:5
And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
Original Language Analysis
בָּ֚אוּ
And when they were come
H935
בָּ֚אוּ
And when they were come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
2 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
צ֔וּף
of Zuph
H6689
צ֔וּף
of Zuph
Strong's:
H6689
Word #:
4 of 18
tsuph or tsophai or tsiph, the name of an israelite and of a place in palestine
לְנַֽעֲר֥וֹ
to his servant
H5288
לְנַֽעֲר֥וֹ
to his servant
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
7 of 18
(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
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עִמּ֖וֹ
H5973
עִמּ֖וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
9 of 18
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
לְכָ֣ה
H1980
לְכָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְנָשׁ֑וּבָה
and let us return
H7725
וְנָשׁ֑וּבָה
and let us return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
11 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יֶחְדַּ֥ל
leave
H2308
יֶחְדַּ֥ל
leave
Strong's:
H2308
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
אָבִ֛י
lest my father
H1
אָבִ֛י
lest my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
14 of 18
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָֽאֲתֹנ֖וֹת
caring for the asses
H860
הָֽאֲתֹנ֖וֹת
caring for the asses
Strong's:
H860
Word #:
16 of 18
a female donkey (from its docility)
Cross References
1 Samuel 10:2When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?1 Samuel 1:1Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:Luke 12:11And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
Historical Context
The land of Zuph was associated with Samuel's Levitical ancestry through Zuph/Zophai (1 Chronicles 6:26, 35). This region in the hill country of Ephraim contained Ramah, Samuel's home and prophetic base. The servant's subsequent knowledge of a 'man of God' in this city suggests Samuel's reputation had spread throughout the region.
Questions for Reflection
- How does honoring parents and family responsibilities sometimes lead to unexpected divine appointments?
- What balance should we strike between persistent effort and knowing when to change course?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
Saul's words reveal a son's concern for his father's anxiety, showing filial piety that was highly valued in Israelite culture. The land of Zuph holds special significance as the ancestral territory of Samuel's family (1:1). Thus Saul's decision to abandon the search brings him precisely to where God intended. His reasoning demonstrates practical wisdom: prolonged absence would cause his father to worry more about his son than the lost animals. The Hebrew da'ag ('take thought' or 'be anxious') suggests genuine emotional concern. Ironically, Saul's consideration for his father's peace of mind leads him to the very place where his family's future would be forever changed. This intersection of human decision and divine sovereignty illustrates how God weaves our choices into His predetermined plan without violating our moral agency.