King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 9:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 9:17 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 9:17 · KJV


Context

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.

19

And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The divine voice interrupts the visual moment, confirming Saul's identity to Samuel with emphatic certainty: 'Behold the man!' (hinneh ha'ish). This direct divine communication while Samuel looked upon Saul demonstrates the prophetic gift in action: seeing with physical eyes while receiving spiritual revelation. The verb 'reign' (atsar) literally means 'to restrain' or 'to rule,' suggesting that the king's function was to bring order and restraint to Israel's chaotic situation. Notably, God still calls Israel 'my people,' refusing to abandon them despite their rejection. The moment is charged with both promise and foreboding: Saul is God's chosen instrument, yet earlier chapters have established the problematic nature of Israel's request. Samuel receives clear divine confirmation, removing any doubt about Saul's identity while leaving future questions of Saul's character to unfold.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The divine voice speaking directly to prophets (rather than through dreams or visions alone) characterized Samuel's prophetic ministry. This immediacy of revelation distinguished Israel's prophetic tradition from divination practices in surrounding cultures. The moment parallels other divine identifications of chosen leaders (Moses, Gideon, David).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you discern God's confirmation in decisions you face?
  2. What does it mean that God continued to call Israel 'my people' even when they were rejecting His direct rule?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וּשְׁמוּאֵ֖ל1 of 14

And when Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

רָאָ֣ה2 of 14

saw

H7200

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

אֶת3 of 14
H853

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

שָׁא֑וּל4 of 14

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וַֽיהוָ֣ה5 of 14

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עָנָ֔הוּ6 of 14

said

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,

הִנֵּ֤ה7 of 14
H2009

lo!

הָאִישׁ֙8 of 14

unto him Behold the 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)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָמַ֣רְתִּי10 of 14

whom I spake

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֔יךָ11 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זֶ֖ה12 of 14
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יַעְצֹ֥ר13 of 14

to thee of! this same shall reign

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

בְּעַמִּֽי׃14 of 14

over my people

H5971

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


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 9:17 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 9:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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