King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 10:15 Mean?

1 Samuel 10:15 in the King James Version says “And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you. — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.

1 Samuel 10:15 · KJV


Context

13

And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.

14

And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.

15

And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.

16

And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.

17

And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.

The uncle's persistent inquiry 'tell me, I pray thee' (haggidah-na li) uses the emphatic particle 'na,' intensifying his request. He presses beyond the journey's itinerary to the substance of Samuel's message. This pressure tested Saul's discretion. Samuel was not merely a local seer but Israel's prophetic leader; any message from him carried national significance. The uncle's curiosity was natural, perhaps even anxious - what counsel had the prophet given his nephew? Yet some matters between God's prophet and God's chosen are not for public disclosure until God's timing reveals them. Jesus similarly instructed disciples to tell no one about certain revelations until the appropriate time (Matthew 17:9). The question also foreshadows how Saul would later be scrutinized: kings live under constant observation, their words and actions publicly evaluated.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Israel, prophetic words were taken seriously as divine communication. Samuel's prominence made any private consultation significant. The uncle's pressing inquiry reflects the social reality that prophetic messages could affect entire families and clans.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you handle pressure from well-meaning people to share what God has privately revealed?
  2. What wisdom can we learn about timing in sharing what God has shown us?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
אָמַ֥ר1 of 10

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דּ֣וֹד2 of 10

uncle

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

שָׁא֑וּל3 of 10

And Saul's

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

הַגִּֽידָה4 of 10

Tell

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

נָּ֣א5 of 10
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לִ֔י6 of 10
H0
מָֽה7 of 10
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אָמַ֥ר8 of 10

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָכֶ֖ם9 of 10
H0
שְׁמוּאֵֽל׃10 of 10

me I pray thee what Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 10:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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