King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 9:4 Mean?

1 Samuel 9:4 in the King James Version says “And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.”

1 Samuel 9:4 · KJV

Context

2

And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

3

And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

4

And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.

5

And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.

6

And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.

Read 1 Samuel 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.

The repetitive structure of this verse, with its threefold 'they found them not,' creates a deliberate sense of futility and divine orchestration. Saul traverses vast territory: the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah (possibly near Gilgal), the land of Shaalim, and back through Benjamin. This circuitous journey was not random wandering but providential guidance. Each negative result pushed Saul closer to his divine appointment with Samuel. The geographical breadth of the search, spanning multiple tribal regions, ironically foreshadows the scope of Saul's future kingdom. The Hebrew emphasizes the thoroughness of the search (abar, 'passed through'), suggesting Saul's diligence while simultaneously highlighting that no human effort could accomplish what only God had predetermined. The lost donkeys remained lost because God had a larger purpose in motion.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The regions mentioned span approximately 30-40 miles of hill country. Mount Ephraim was densely forested terrain central to Israel. The land of Shalishah may relate to Baal-shalishah mentioned in 2 Kings 4:42. This journey would have taken several days on foot, traversing varied terrain from fertile valleys to rocky highlands.

Reflection Questions

  1. When your plans repeatedly fail, how might God be redirecting you toward something greater?
  2. What does Saul's persistence in searching teach about diligence even when results seem elusive?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיַּֽעֲבֹ֥ר1 of 17

“And he passed through”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בְּהַר2 of 17

“mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֶפְרַ֛יִם3 of 17

“Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַיַּֽעֲבֹ֥ר4 of 17

“And he passed through”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בְּאֶֽרֶץ5 of 17

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

שָׁלִ֖שָׁה6 of 17

“of Shalisha”

H8031

shalishah, a place in palestine

וְלֹ֣א7 of 17
H3808

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

מָצָֽאוּ׃8 of 17

“but they 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

וַיַּֽעֲבֹ֥ר9 of 17

“And he passed through”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בְּאֶֽרֶץ10 of 17

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

שַֽׁעֲלִים֙11 of 17

“of Shalim”

H8171

shaalim, a place in palestine

וָאַ֔יִן12 of 17
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

וַיַּֽעֲבֹ֥ר13 of 17

“And he passed through”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בְּאֶֽרֶץ14 of 17

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְמִינִ֖י15 of 17
H3227

right

וְלֹ֥א16 of 17
H3808

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

מָצָֽאוּ׃17 of 17

“but they 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

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 9:4 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 9:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 4:42Joshua 24:33John 3:23Judges 17:1Judges 19:1Genesis 33:18

Places in This Verse

ShaalimRegion · Modern: Taybeh · 31.95°N, 35.30°E1 verse across 1 book
ShalishahRegion · Modern: Kafr Thulth · 32.15°N, 35.04°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in 1 Samuel 9 →

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