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1 Samuel 9:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 9:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when Samuel saw Saul, Jehovah said unto him, Behold, the man of whom I spake to thee! this same shall have authority over my people.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when Samuel saw Saul, Jehovah said unto him, Behold, the man of whom I spake to thee! this same shall have authority over my people.
1 Samuel 9:17 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And they went up to the city; [and] as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place.
15Now Jehovah had revealed unto Samuel a day before Saul came, saying,
16To-morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he shall save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
17And when Samuel saw Saul, Jehovah said unto him, Behold, the man of whom I spake to thee! this same shall have authority over my people.
18Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer`s house is.
19And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer; go up before me unto the high place, for ye shall eat with me to-day: and in the morning I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thy heart.
20And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not they mind on them; for they are found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for thee, and for all thy father`s house?
← 1 Samuel 9:161 Samuel 9:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when Samuel saw Saul, etc.] Who could not but take notice of him for his height, and which might give him a suspicion he was the man the Lord had spoken of to him; and the rather, because this was the exact time in which he was to be sent to him, and therefore he fixed his eyes upon him: and that he might be assured it was he, and be left at no uncertainty about it, the Lord said unto him; by a still small voice, or by an impulse upon his mind: behold the man whom I spake to thee of; yesterday, this is he: this same shall reign over my people; be their king, as they have desired: or “shall restrain” f187 them, keep them in due bounds, in the discharge of their duty to God and man; and…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Behold: Sa1 16:6-12; Hos 13:11 reign over: Heb. restrain in, Sa1 3:13; Sa2 23:6, Sa2 23:7; Neh 13:19, Neh 13:25; Act 13:21; Rom 13:3, Rom 13:4 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 9:19”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord answered him, sc., in reply to the tacit inquiry, 'Is this he?' "Behold, this is the man of whom I spake to thee." עצר, coercere imperio. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 9:18”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 9 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification