King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 9:20 Mean?

1 Samuel 9:20 in the King James Version says “And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all t... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? three: Heb. to day three days

1 Samuel 9:20 · KJV


Context

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.

20

And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? three: Heb. to day three days

21

And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? so: Heb. according to this word

22

And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house?

Samuel addresses Saul's immediate concern with almost casual dismissal: the donkeys, three days lost, are found. The Hebrew al-tashem libka ('set not thy mind' or 'do not set your heart') redirects Saul's attention from livestock to legacy. Then comes the staggering question about 'all the desire of Israel' (kol chemdat Yisrael). This phrase, meaning 'all that Israel desires' or 'everything desirable in Israel,' points to kingship itself. Samuel asks rhetorically whether this collective national longing does not rest upon Saul and his family. The answer is implied: yes, Saul is the answer to Israel's desire for a king. The progression from lost donkeys to royal destiny illustrates divine providence at its most dramatic. Saul's world expands in an instant from agricultural concerns to national leadership.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'three days' of searching followed standard ancient patterns for journeys and searches, often representing a complete or significant period. Israel's 'desire' for a king had been formally expressed in chapter 8, making Samuel's question refer to the recent national demand that had grieved him. The inclusion of 'thy father's house' suggests dynastic implications, though Saul's dynasty would prove short-lived.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God often resolve our small concerns while simultaneously revealing larger purposes for our lives?
  2. What 'desires' are you pursuing that God might be replacing with His greater calling?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְלָֽאֲתֹנ֞וֹת1 of 22

And as for thine asses

H860

a female donkey (from its docility)

הָאֹֽבְד֣וֹת2 of 22

that were lost

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

לְךָ֗3 of 22
H0
הַיָּמִ֔ים4 of 22

ago

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

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת5 of 22

three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

הַיָּמִ֔ים6 of 22

ago

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

אַל7 of 22
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תָּ֧שֶׂם8 of 22

set

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶֽת9 of 22
H853

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

לִבְּךָ֛10 of 22

not thy mind

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

לָהֶ֖ם11 of 22
H0
כִּ֣י12 of 22
H3588

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

נִמְצָ֑אוּ13 of 22

on them for they are found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

וּלְמִי֙14 of 22
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

כָּל15 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֶמְדַּ֣ת16 of 22

And on whom is all the desire

H2532

delight

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל17 of 22

of Israel

H3478

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

הֲל֣וֹא18 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

לְךָ֔19 of 22
H0
וּלְכֹ֖ל20 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בֵּ֥ית21 of 22

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִֽיךָ׃22 of 22

Is it not on thee and on all thy father's

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application


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 9:20 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 9:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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