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1 Samuel 9:25

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 9:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when they were come down from the high place into the city, he communed with Saul upon the housetop.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when they were come down from the high place into the city, he communed with Saul upon the housetop.
1 Samuel 9:25 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest-chamber, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, who were about thirty persons.
23And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
24And the cook took up the thigh, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And [Samuel] said, Behold, that which hath been reserved! set it before thee and eat; because unto the appointed time hath it been kept for thee, for I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
25And when they were come down from the high place into the city, he communed with Saul upon the housetop.
26And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
27As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand thou still first, that I may cause thee to hear the word of God.
← 1 Samuel 9:241 Samuel 9:26 →
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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 they came down from the high place into the city, etc.] After the feast was ended; and though Ramah itself was situated on an eminence, yet it seems this high place was higher than that, being without the city upon an hill, and therefore they are said to come down from the one to the other; or they came down from the high place, and then ascended the hill to the city: Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house: of Samuel’s house; when they were come thither, Samuel took Saul up to the roof of his house, which was flat, as the roofs of houses in this country were; (see <052208> Deuteronomy 22:8) on which they could walk to and fro, and converse together; hence you read of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house--Saul was taken to lodge with the prophet for that night. Before retiring to rest, they communed on the flat roof of the house, the couch being laid there (Jos 2:6), when, doubtless, Samuel revealed the secret and described the peculiar duties of a monarch in a nation so related to the Divine King as Israel. Next morning early, Samuel roused his guest, and conveying him on his way towards the skirts of the city, sought, before parting, a private interview--the object of which is narrated in the next chapter. Next: 1 Samuel Chapter 10”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Communed - Concerning the kingdom designed for him by God. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 9:27”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:25 A typical house had a flat roof that was used for a variety of purposes, such as sleeping in warm weather (see Deut 22:8; 2 Kgs 4:10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“And when: Sa1 9:13 the top: Deu 22:8; Sa2 11:2; Neh 8:16; Jer 19:13; Mat 10:27; Act 10:9 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 9:26”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“When the sacrificial meal was over, Samuel and Saul went down from the high place into the town, and he (Samuel) talked with him upon the roof (of the house into which Samuel had entered). The flat roofs of the East were used as placed of retirement for private conversation (see at Deu 22:8). This conversation did not refer of course to the call of Samuel to the royal dignity, for that was not made known to him as a word of Jehovah till the following day ( Sa1 9:27); but it was intended to prepare him for that announcement: so that O. v. Gerlach's conjecture is probably the correct one, viz., that Samuel "talked with Saul concerning the deep religious and political degradation of the people…”
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Related study paths

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