King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 9:24 Mean?

1 Samuel 9:24 in the King James Version says “And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that whic...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. left: or, reserved”

1 Samuel 9:24 · KJV

Context

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.

23

And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

24

And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. left: or, reserved

25

And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.

26

And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.

The shoulder (shoq) was the priestly portion according to Levitical law (Leviticus 7:32-34), making its presentation to Saul highly significant. By giving Saul the portion normally reserved for priests, Samuel symbolically indicates Saul's sacred calling and special relationship to God. The phrase 'that which is left' (hanishar) may indicate the portion remaining after proper priestly portions were taken, or it may emphasize that this specific piece was 'reserved' or 'kept back.' Samuel's declaration that it had been 'kept for thee' (shamur leka) emphasizes divine appointment: from the moment Samuel planned this feast, this portion was designated for an unknown guest whom God would send. Saul's eating with Samuel establishes covenant fellowship between prophet and future king, consecrating their relationship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The shoulder (thigh) was designated for Aaron and his sons in Levitical law as a wave offering. Samuel's giving this portion to Saul either indicates prophetic authority to modify ritual for special purposes or suggests this was a variant practice at high places before temple centralization. The symbolic weight of receiving priestly food would not have been lost on the assembled guests.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does receiving the 'priestly portion' suggest about the sacred nature of leadership in God's people?
  2. How does the concept of something 'kept for you' since before you knew about it illustrate divine election?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיָּ֣רֶם1 of 27

“took up”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

הַ֠טַּבָּח2 of 27

“And the cook”

H2876

properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food)

אֶת3 of 27
H853

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

הַשּׁ֨וֹק4 of 27

“the shoulder”

H7785

the (lower) leg (as a runner)

וְהֶֽעָלֶ֜יהָ5 of 27
H5921

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

שִׂים6 of 27

“set”

H7760

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

לְפָנֶ֣יךָ7 of 27

“it 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

שָׁא֛וּל8 of 27

“Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

לֵאמֹ֖ר9 of 27

“And Samuel said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֤ה10 of 27
H2009

lo!

הַנִּשְׁאָר֙11 of 27

“Behold that which is left”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

שִׂים12 of 27

“set”

H7760

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

לְפָנֶ֣יךָ13 of 27

“it 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

וַיֹּ֧אכַל14 of 27

“did eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

כִּ֧י15 of 27
H3588

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

לַמּוֹעֵ֛ד16 of 27

“for unto this time”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

שָֽׁמוּר17 of 27

“hath it been kept”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

לְךָ֥18 of 27
H0
לֵאמֹ֖ר19 of 27

“And Samuel said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָעָ֣ם׀20 of 27

“the people”

H5971

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

קָרָ֑אתִי21 of 27

“I have invited”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

וַיֹּ֧אכַל22 of 27

“did eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

שָׁא֛וּל23 of 27

“Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

עִם24 of 27
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל25 of 27

“with Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

בַּיּ֥וֹם26 of 27

“that 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

הַהֽוּא׃27 of 27
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 9:24 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 9:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 24:4Leviticus 7:32-33Exodus 29:22Exodus 29:27Numbers 18:18

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