King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 9:12 Mean?

1 Samuel 9:12 in the King James Version says “And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for t...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: sacrifice: or, feast”

1 Samuel 9:12 · KJV

Context

10

Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was. Well said: Heb. Thy word is good

11

And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here? the hill: Heb. in the ascent of the city

12

And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: sacrifice: or, feast

13

As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him. this time: Heb. to day

14

And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.

Read 1 Samuel 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:

The maidens' response overflows with urgency and detailed information, far exceeding what Saul's simple question required. Their emphatic 'He is; behold, he is before you' confirms Samuel's presence while their exhortation to 'make haste' (maharu) conveys the time-sensitive nature of the opportunity. The mention of sacrifice at the 'high place' (bamah) introduces an important setting. Before Solomon's temple, high places served as legitimate worship sites, distinct from the later corrupted bamoth associated with syncretistic worship. The communal sacrifice indicates a covenant meal where the community would eat together in God's presence. Samuel's arrival 'today' underscores providential timing: had Saul come a day earlier or later, this encounter would have missed its appointed moment. Every detail aligns with precision that can only be attributed to divine orchestration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

High places (bamot) were elevated outdoor worship sites common before the centralization of worship in Jerusalem. While later associated with pagan practices and condemned by prophets, they served legitimate purposes during Samuel's era when the tabernacle was not functioning as the central sanctuary after Shiloh's destruction. Community sacrifices involved shared meals that strengthened social and religious bonds.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's precise timing in your life demonstrate His sovereign care over circumstances?
  2. What opportunities might require urgent response lest we miss God's appointed moment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַתַּֽעֲנֶ֧ינָה1 of 17

“And they answered”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אוֹתָ֛ם2 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַתֹּאמַ֥רְנָה3 of 17

“them and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יֵּ֖שׁ4 of 17

“He is”

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

הִנֵּ֣ה5 of 17
H2009

lo!

לְפָנֶ֑יךָ6 of 17

“behold he is before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מַהֵ֣ר׀7 of 17

“you make haste”

H4116

properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)

עַתָּ֗ה8 of 17
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

כִּ֤י9 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַיּ֛וֹם10 of 17

“to day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בָּ֣א11 of 17

“now for he came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָעִ֔יר12 of 17

“to the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

כִּ֣י13 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

זֶ֧בַח14 of 17

“for there is a sacrifice”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

הַיּ֛וֹם15 of 17

“to day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לָעָ֖ם16 of 17

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בַּבָּמָֽה׃17 of 17

“in the high place”

H1116

an elevation

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 9:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 9:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 31:541 Samuel 16:21 Samuel 10:51 Kings 3:2-41 Corinthians 5:7-8Deuteronomy 12:6-7

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