1 Samuel 9:6
And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.
Original Language Analysis
נָ֤א
H4994
נָ֤א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
4 of 26
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
וְהָאִ֣ישׁ
a man
H376
וְהָאִ֣ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 26
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֱלֹהִים֙
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 26
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בָּעִ֣יר
unto him Behold now there is in this city
H5892
בָּעִ֣יר
unto him Behold now there is in this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
7 of 26
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְהָאִ֣ישׁ
a man
H376
וְהָאִ֣ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 26
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
נִכְבָּ֔ד
and he is an honourable
H3513
נִכְבָּ֔ד
and he is an honourable
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
10 of 26
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
כֹּ֥ל
H3605
כֹּ֥ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְדַבֵּ֖ר
all that he saith
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֖ר
all that he saith
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
13 of 26
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עַתָּה֙
H6258
הָלַ֥כְנוּ
that we should go
H1980
הָלַ֥כְנוּ
that we should go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
17 of 26
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
שָּׁ֔ם
H8033
יַגִּ֣יד
thither peradventure he can shew
H5046
יַגִּ֣יד
thither peradventure he can shew
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
20 of 26
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דַּרְכֵּ֖נוּ
us our way
H1870
דַּרְכֵּ֖נוּ
us our way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
23 of 26
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
24 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:1And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.1 Kings 13:1And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Beth-el: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.1 Timothy 6:11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Historical Context
The title 'man of God' appears over 70 times in the Old Testament, designating one who speaks and acts with divine authority. Samuel's reputation for accurate prophecy fulfilled the Deuteronomic test for true prophets (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). Consulting prophets for guidance was common practice in Israel, though often for trivial matters compared to the weighty revelations they could convey.
Questions for Reflection
- Who has God placed in your life to redirect you toward encounters with Him?
- How does the servant's description of prophetic ministry ('all he says comes to pass') inform our understanding of true versus false prophecy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.
The unnamed servant emerges as an instrument of providence, possessing knowledge that redirects their journey. His description of Samuel employs two significant titles: 'man of God' (ish ha'elohim) and 'honourable' (nikbad, literally 'weighty' or 'glorious'). The servant's confidence that 'all that he saith cometh surely to pass' testifies to Samuel's established prophetic authority and the reliability of God's word through His messenger. The phrase 'peradventure he can shew us our way' uses derek ('way' or 'path'), which carries both literal and spiritual connotations throughout Scripture. Little did Saul know that seeking direction about donkeys would result in direction for his entire life. The servant's suggestion demonstrates how God often uses others to guide us toward divine encounters we would otherwise miss.