1 Samuel 9:16
To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
Original Language Analysis
כָּעֵ֣ת׀
about this time
H6256
כָּעֵ֣ת׀
about this time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
1 of 25
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
מָחָ֡ר
To morrow
H4279
מָחָ֡ר
To morrow
Strong's:
H4279
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
אֶשְׁלַח֩
I will send
H7971
אֶשְׁלַח֩
I will send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
3 of 25
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אִ֜ישׁ
thee a man
H376
אִ֜ישׁ
thee a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 25
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)
בִּנְיָמִ֗ן
of Benjamin
H1144
בִּנְיָמִ֗ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
7 of 25
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וּמְשַׁחְתּ֤וֹ
and thou shalt anoint
H4886
וּמְשַׁחְתּ֤וֹ
and thou shalt anoint
Strong's:
H4886
Word #:
8 of 25
to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
לְנָגִיד֙
him to be captain
H5057
לְנָגִיד֙
him to be captain
Strong's:
H5057
Word #:
9 of 25
a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַמִּ֔י
my people
H5971
עַמִּ֔י
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 25
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ
that he may save
H3467
וְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ
that he may save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּ֔י
my people
H5971
עַמִּ֔י
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
15 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִיַּ֣ד
out of the hand
H3027
מִיַּ֣ד
out of the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
16 of 25
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
17 of 25
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רָאִ֙יתִי֙
for I have looked
H7200
רָאִ֙יתִי֙
for I have looked
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
19 of 25
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּ֔י
my people
H5971
עַמִּ֔י
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
21 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
22 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
1 Samuel 10:1Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?Psalms 25:18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.Psalms 106:44Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:1 Samuel 15:1Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.1 Samuel 16:3And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.
Historical Context
Philistine domination during this period included military garrisons in Israelite territory (10:5; 13:3) and economic control through iron monopolies (13:19-22). The Philistines, part of the Sea Peoples who settled along Canaan's coast around 1175 BCE, posed the most serious external threat to Israel during Samuel's era. Their superior military technology and organization demanded united Israelite response.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's response to Israel's cry, even while they were seeking a king to replace Him, display His grace?
- What does the title 'captain' rather than 'king' suggest about proper human leadership under God's authority?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
God's words to Samuel echo the Exodus pattern, where the LORD 'looked upon' Israel's affliction and heard their cry (Exodus 2:25; 3:7). The title 'captain' (nagid) rather than 'king' (melek) is significant: this term emphasizes military leadership and subordination to the ultimate King, God Himself. The mission is specific: deliverance from Philistine oppression. God acknowledges Israel's suffering while working through their flawed request for a king to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The phrase 'my people' appears three times, emphasizing that despite Israel's rejection of divine kingship, God has not rejected them. The precise timing, 'tomorrow about this time,' underscores prophetic specificity while the verb 'send' (shalach) indicates that even Saul's wandering journey was divinely directed. God condescends to work through imperfect human institutions to accomplish His saving purposes.