1 Samuel 9:18
1 Samuel 9:18 in Multiple Translations
Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”
Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.
Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.
Then Saul came up to Samuel in the doorway of the town and said, Give me directions, if you will be so good, to the house of the seer.
Saul went up to Samuel in the gateway and asked him, “Could you please tell me where the house of the seer is?”
Then went Saul to Samuel in the middes of the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the Seers house is.
And Saul draweth nigh to Samuel in the midst of the gate, and saith, 'Declare, I pray thee, to me, where [is] this — the seer's house?'
Then Saul approached Samuel in the gateway, and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.”
Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is .
And Saul came to Samuel in the midst of the gate and said: Tell me, I pray thee, where is the house of the seer?
Saul saw Samuel as he was sitting at the town gateway but he did not know that it was Samuel. He went over to him and asked him, “Can you tell me, where is the house of the man who sees ◄visions from God/all that God sees►?”
So Samuel waited for him at the town gate. You see, Saul hadn’t met that old man before. He didn’t know him, so he said to him, “They say there’s an old man that sees dreams from God, and he lives in this place. Where is his house?”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 9:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 9:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּגַּ֥שׁ
שָׁא֛וּל
אֶת
שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
הַ/שָּׁ֑עַר
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙
הַגִּֽידָ/ה
נָּ֣א
לִ֔/י
אֵי
זֶ֖ה
בֵּ֥ית
הָ/רֹאֶֽה
וַ/יִּגַּ֥שׁ
nâgash
H5066
to approach
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
שָׁא֛וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
Shaul
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל
Shᵉmûwʼêl
H8050
Shemuel
N-proper
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
midst
Prep | N-ms
הַ/שָּׁ֑עַר
shaʻar
H8179
gate
Art | N-ms
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַגִּֽידָ/ה
nâgad
H5046
to tell
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
נָּ֣א
nâʼ
H4994
please
Part
לִ֔/י
Prep | Suff
אֵי
ʼay
H335
where?
Part
זֶ֖ה
zeh
H2088
this
Pron
בֵּ֥ית
bayith
H1004
place
N-ms
הָ/רֹאֶֽה
rôʼeh
H7203
seer
Art | V-Qal
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 9:18
וַ/יִּגַּ֥שׁ
nâgash
H5066
"to approach"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To approach or draw near, like Moses to the burning bush, and can also mean to worship or present an argument, as in Genesis 18:23.
Definition: : approach 1) to draw near, approach 1a) (Qal) to draw or come near 1a1) of humans 1a1a) of sexual intercourse 1a2) of inanimate subject 1a2a) to approach one another 1b) (Niphal) to draw near 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to approach, bring near, bring 1d) (Hophal) to be brought near 1e) (Hithpael) to draw near Also means: na.gash (נָגַשׁ ": bring" H5066H)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand. See also: Genesis 18:23; 1 Samuel 28:25; Psalms 91:7.
שָׁא֛וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
"Shaul"
N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל
Shᵉmûwʼêl
H8050
"Shemuel"
N-proper
Shemuel was the name of three Israelites, including a judge and prophet of Israel during the time of King Saul and King David. His name means his name is El and he was the son of Elkanah and Hannah.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Issachar living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.2; son of: Tola (H8439); brother of: Uzzi (H5813H), Rephaiah (H7509I), Jeriel (H3400), Jahmai (H3181) and Ibsam (H3005) § Samuel = "his name is El" 1) son of Elkanah by his wife Hannah and judge or prophet of Israel during the days of Saul and David 2) son Ammihud and the prince of the tribe of Simeon who was chosen to divide the land of Canaan between the tribes. Spelled 'Shemuel' 3) son of Tola and grandson of Issachar. Spelled 'Shemuel'
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: Samuel, Shemuel. See also: Numbers 34:20; 1 Samuel 12:1; Psalms 99:6.
בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
"midst"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
הַ/שָּׁ֑עַר
shaʻar
H8179
"gate"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gate or door, often referring to city entrances or temple doors, like in Genesis and Exodus. It can also symbolize a meeting place or marketplace. The word is used to describe important locations in the Bible.
Definition: : gate 1) gate 1a) gate (of entrance) 1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place) 1b1) city, town 1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle) 1d) heaven
Usage: Occurs in 302 OT verses. KJV: city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). See also: Genesis 19:1; 1 Chronicles 9:18; Psalms 9:14.
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הַגִּֽידָ/ה
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
נָּ֣א
nâʼ
H4994
"please"
Part
The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.
Definition: 1) I (we) pray, now, please 1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
Usage: Occurs in 374 OT verses. KJV: I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh. See also: Genesis 12:11; Judges 4:19; 1 Kings 13:6.
לִ֔/י
""
Prep | Suff
אֵי
ʼay
H335
"where?"
Part
The Hebrew word for where or how, used to ask questions about location or method, as seen in various Bible translations, including how, what, or which way.
Definition: 1) whereto ?, whence? 2) which?, how? (in prefix with other adverb)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: how, what, whence, where, whether, which (way). See also: Genesis 3:9; Job 2:2; Proverbs 31:4.
זֶ֖ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
בֵּ֥ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
הָ/רֹאֶֽה
rôʼeh
H7203
"seer"
Art | V-Qal
The Hebrew word for a vision or a seer, often referring to a prophetic vision. It describes a person who receives visions from God. The KJV translates it as vision.
Definition: seer, prophet
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: vision. See also: 1 Samuel 9:9; 1 Samuel 9:18; Isaiah 28:7.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 9:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- 1 Samuel 9:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 9:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 9:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:18
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:18
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 9:18
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:18
Context — Saul Chosen as King
16“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”
17When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.”
18Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”
19“I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today. And when I send you off in the morning, I will tell you all that is in your heart. 20As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. And upon whom is all the desire of Israel, if not upon you and all your father’s house?”1 Samuel 9:18 Summary
In this verse, Saul is looking for someone who can help him find his father's lost donkeys, and he asks Samuel for directions to the seer's house. This shows that Saul is humble and willing to ask for help, which is an important quality for anyone who wants to follow God. As we see in Jeremiah 29:13, when we seek God with all our heart, we will find Him, and He will guide us on our journey. Just like Saul, we can trust that God is working out His plan for our lives, even when we don't understand what's happening, and we can ask for help and guidance along the way, just like it says in Psalm 32:8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Saul approaching Samuel in the gateway?
Saul approaching Samuel in the gateway indicates that he is seeking guidance and direction, which is a common theme throughout the Bible, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 where it says to trust in the Lord with all our heart.
Why did Saul ask for the seer's house?
Saul asked for the seer's house because he was looking for someone who could help him find his father's lost donkeys, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 9:3, and the seer was known for having supernatural insight and guidance from God, similar to what is described in Numbers 12:6.
What can we learn from Saul's humility in asking for directions?
Saul's humility in asking for directions teaches us the importance of being willing to ask for help and guidance, as seen in Psalm 25:9 where it says that God guides the humble in what is right.
How does this verse relate to God's larger plan for Saul's life?
This verse relates to God's larger plan for Saul's life because, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 9:16, God had already chosen Saul to be the leader of His people Israel, and this encounter with Samuel is a pivotal moment in Saul's journey towards fulfilling that role, similar to how God called other leaders like Moses in Exodus 3:10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to seek guidance and direction from God, and how can I humbly ask for help like Saul did?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of seeking wisdom and guidance from those who have a deeper understanding of God's ways, like Samuel did?
- How can I trust that God is working out His plan for my life, even when I don't understand the circumstances, just like Saul didn't know that he was about to be anointed as king?
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate humility and a willingness to learn, like Saul did when he asked for the seer's house?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 9:18
Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate,.... Either at the door of his own house, just as he was coming out of it, or within the gate of the city as Saul entered that, Samuel came to it, in order
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 9:18
Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is. Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:18
In the gate; the gate, either, first, Of Samuel’ s house. But he was come out thence before, . Or rather, secondly, Of the city; for the word gate being put by itself, according to reason and common use, must be understood of the most eminent in its kind, which the gate of the city is. And through this gate Samuel seems now to have been passing to go to the high place, which probably was without the city; and there he makes a stand, to hear what these persons now approaching to him were about to speak.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:18
1 Samuel 9:18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’ s house [is].Ver. 18. In the gate.] Heb., In the midst of the gate; Sept., In the midst of the city; Chaldee, Within the gate. Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’ s house is.] It seemeth, then, that Samuel bore no great import in his outside. Saul knew him not, though judge of Israel, by his clothes, or by his attendants.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:18
(18) In the gate.—The LXX. (Greek Version) here reads, “in the midst of the city.” It is not improbable that this is the original reading, it being very possible for a scribe to write the Hebrew word “gate” for “city.”
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 9:18
18. in the gate] Heb. “In the midst of the gate,” i.e. the gateway, where they would naturally halt to inquire for the Seer’s house.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:18
18. The seer’s house — The house where he abides while in the city; the place he temporarily makes his home.