1Sa 9:16 | KD | STEP | When they went into the town, Samuel met them on his way out to go to the high place of sacrifice. Before the meeting itself is described, the statement is introduced in , that the day before Jehovah had foretold to Samuel that the man was coming to him whom he was to anoint as captain over his people. אזן גּלה, to open any one’s ear , equivalent to reveal something to him ( ; , etc.). אשׁלח, I will send thee , i.e., “I will so direct his way in my overruling providence, that he shall come to thee” (J. H. Mich. ). The words, “ that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, for their cry is come unto me ,” are not at all at variance with 1Sa 7:13. In that passage there is simply the assertion, that there was no more any permanent oppression on the part of the Philistines in the days of Samuel, such as had taken place before; but an attempt to recover their supremacy over Israel is not only not precluded, but is even indirectly affirmed (see the comm. on ). The words before us simply show that the Philistines had then begun to make a fresh attempt to contend for dominion over the Israelites. “ I have looked upon my people :” this is to be explained like the similar passage in , “God looked upon the children of Israel,” and , “I have looked upon the misery of my people.” God’s looking was not a quiet, inactive looking on, but an energetic look, which brought help in trouble. “ Their cry is come unto me :” this is word for word the same as in Exo 3:9. As the Philistines wanted to tread in the footsteps of the Egyptians, it was necessary that Jehovah should also send His people a deliverer from these new oppressors, by giving them a king. The reason here assigned for the establishment of a monarchy is by no means at variance with the displeasure which God had expressed to Samuel at the desire of the people for a king (1Sa 8:7.); since this displeasure had reference to the state of heart from which the desire had sprung.

‏ 1 Samuel 9:16

When they went into the town, Samuel met them on his way out to go to the high place of sacrifice. Before the meeting itself is described, the statement is introduced in 1Sa 9:15-17, that the day before Jehovah had foretold to Samuel that the man was coming to him whom he was to anoint as captain over his people. אזן גּלה, to open any one’s ear, equivalent to reveal something to him (1Sa 20:12; 2Sa 7:27, etc.). אשׁלח, I will send thee, i.e., “I will so direct his way in my overruling providence, that he shall come to thee” (J. H. Mich. ). The words, “that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, for their cry is come unto me,” are not at all at variance with 1Sa 7:13. In that passage there is simply the assertion, that there was no more any permanent oppression on the part of the Philistines in the days of Samuel, such as had taken place before; but an attempt to recover their supremacy over Israel is not only not precluded, but is even indirectly affirmed (see the comm. on 1Sa 7:13). The words before us simply show that the Philistines had then begun to make a fresh attempt to contend for dominion over the Israelites. “I have looked upon my people:” this is to be explained like the similar passage in Exo 2:25, “God looked upon the children of Israel,” and Exo 3:7, “I have looked upon the misery of my people.” God’s looking was not a quiet, inactive looking on, but an energetic look, which brought help in trouble. “Their cry is come unto me:” this is word for word the same as in Exo 3:9. As the Philistines wanted to tread in the footsteps of the Egyptians, it was necessary that Jehovah should also send His people a deliverer from these new oppressors, by giving them a king. The reason here assigned for the establishment of a monarchy is by no means at variance with the displeasure which God had expressed to Samuel at the desire of the people for a king (1Sa 8:7.); since this displeasure had reference to the state of heart from which the desire had sprung.