1 Samuel 9:14
And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
Original Language Analysis
לַֽעֲל֖וֹת
And they went up
H5927
לַֽעֲל֖וֹת
And they went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 12
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הָעִ֔יר
into the city
H5892
הָעִ֔יר
into the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 12
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בָּאִים֙
and when they were come
H935
בָּאִים֙
and when they were come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
4 of 12
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָעִ֔יר
into the city
H5892
הָעִ֔יר
into the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
6 of 12
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יֹצֵ֣א
came out
H3318
יֹצֵ֣א
came out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
9 of 12
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לִקְרָאתָ֔ם
against
H7125
לִקְרָאתָ֔ם
against
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
10 of 12
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
Historical Context
City gates were multipurpose spaces serving as marketplaces, courts of law, and social gathering points. Important transactions and announcements occurred at gates (Ruth 4:1-11). Samuel's departure through the gate at the precise moment of Saul's arrival exemplifies what appears coincidental but reflects divine sovereignty orchestrating human affairs.
Questions for Reflection
- How have you experienced 'divine appointments' where circumstances aligned beyond coincidence?
- What significance do you see in God arranging this encounter at the city gate, the place of public transaction?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
The moment of encounter arrives with cinematic precision: as Saul enters the city, Samuel exits toward the high place, their paths converging in the gate. The Hebrew hinneh ('behold') signals narrative climax, calling readers to attention at this pivotal intersection. The phrase 'came out against them' (yotse liqratam) uses military language ('to meet' or 'to confront'), subtly suggesting the confrontational nature of prophetic ministry that will characterize Samuel's relationship with both Saul and later David. Neither party had specifically sought this meeting in its true significance: Saul sought lost donkeys, Samuel proceeded to his regular duties. Yet God had arranged every circumstance to bring prophet and future king face to face at precisely this moment. The city gate, traditional site of legal and commercial transactions, becomes the location where Israel's political future is decided.