King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 9:16 Mean?

1 Samuel 9:16 in the King James Version says “To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain ov... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

1 Samuel 9:16 · KJV


Context

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.

15

Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, told: Heb. revealed the ear of Samuel

16

To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

17

And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people. reign over: Heb. restrain in

18

Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

God's words to Samuel echo the Exodus pattern, where the LORD 'looked upon' Israel's affliction and heard their cry (Exodus 2:25; 3:7). The title 'captain' (nagid) rather than 'king' (melek) is significant: this term emphasizes military leadership and subordination to the ultimate King, God Himself. The mission is specific: deliverance from Philistine oppression. God acknowledges Israel's suffering while working through their flawed request for a king to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The phrase 'my people' appears three times, emphasizing that despite Israel's rejection of divine kingship, God has not rejected them. The precise timing, 'tomorrow about this time,' underscores prophetic specificity while the verb 'send' (shalach) indicates that even Saul's wandering journey was divinely directed. God condescends to work through imperfect human institutions to accomplish His saving purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Philistine domination during this period included military garrisons in Israelite territory (10:5; 13:3) and economic control through iron monopolies (13:19-22). The Philistines, part of the Sea Peoples who settled along Canaan's coast around 1175 BCE, posed the most serious external threat to Israel during Samuel's era. Their superior military technology and organization demanded united Israelite response.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's response to Israel's cry, even while they were seeking a king to replace Him, display His grace?
  2. What does the title 'captain' rather than 'king' suggest about proper human leadership under God's authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
כָּעֵ֣ת׀1 of 25

about this time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

מָחָ֡ר2 of 25

To morrow

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

אֶשְׁלַח֩3 of 25

I will send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֵלֶ֨יךָ4 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִ֜ישׁ5 of 25

thee a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ6 of 25

out of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בִּנְיָמִ֗ן7 of 25

of Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וּמְשַׁחְתּ֤וֹ8 of 25

and thou shalt anoint

H4886

to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint

לְנָגִיד֙9 of 25

him to be captain

H5057

a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes

עַל10 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עַמִּ֔י11 of 25

my people

H5971

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל12 of 25

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ13 of 25

that he may save

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

אֶת14 of 25
H853

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

עַמִּ֔י15 of 25

my people

H5971

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

מִיַּ֣ד16 of 25

out of the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים17 of 25

of the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

כִּ֤י18 of 25
H3588

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

רָאִ֙יתִי֙19 of 25

for I have looked

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת20 of 25
H853

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

עַמִּ֔י21 of 25

my people

H5971

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

כִּ֛י22 of 25
H3588

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

בָּ֥אָה23 of 25

is come

H935

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

צַֽעֲקָת֖וֹ24 of 25

because their cry

H6818

a shriek

אֵלָֽי׃25 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


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 9:16 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 9:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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