1 Samuel 9:7

1 Samuel 9:7 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”

King James Version KJV

Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?

American Standard Version ASV

Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then Saul said to his servant, But if we go, what are we to take the man? all our bread is gone, and we have no offering to take to the man of God: what are we to do?

Free Bible Version FBV

“But if we do go, what can we give him?” Saul replied. “All the bread in our bags is gone. We don't have anything to take to the man of God. What do we have with us?”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then saide Saul to his seruant, Well then, let vs goe: but what shall we bring vnto the man? For the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is no present to bring to the man of God: what haue we?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Saul saith to his young man, 'And lo, we go, and what do we bring in to the man? for the bread hath gone from our vessels, and a present there is not to bring in to the man of God — what [is] with us?'

World English Bible WEB

Then Saul said to his servant, “But behold, if we go, what should we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our sacks, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Then said Saul to his servant, But behold, if we go, what shall we bring to the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And Saul said to his servant: Behold we will go: but what shall we carry to the man of God? the bread is spent in our bags: and we have no present to make to the man of God, nor any thing at all.

Translation for Translators T4T

Saul replied to the servant, “If we go talk with him, we should give a gift to him, but what can we give to him? We have no more food in our sacks. Do we have anything else to give to him?”

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 9:7

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 9:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר שָׁא֜וּל לְ/נַעֲר֗/וֹ וְ/הִנֵּ֣ה נֵלֵךְ֮ וּ/מַה נָּבִ֣יא לָ/אִישׁ֒ כִּ֤י הַ/לֶּ֨חֶם֙ אָזַ֣ל מִ/כֵּלֵ֔י/נוּ וּ/תְשׁוּרָ֥ה אֵין לְ/הָבִ֖יא לְ/אִ֣ישׁ הָ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים מָ֖ה אִתָּֽ/נוּ

וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

שָׁא֜וּל Shâʼûwl H7586 Shaul N-proper

לְ/נַעֲר֗/וֹ naʻar H5288 youth Prep | N-ms | Suff

וְ/הִנֵּ֣ה hinnêh H2009 behold Conj | Part

נֵלֵךְ֮ yâlak H3212 to walk V-Qal-Imperf-1cp

וּ/מַה mâh H4100 what? Conj | Part

נָּבִ֣יא bôwʼ H935 Lebo V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cp

לָ/אִישׁ֒ ʼîysh H376 man Prep | N-ms

כִּ֤י kîy H3588 for Conj

הַ/לֶּ֨חֶם֙ lechem H3899 food Art | N-cs

אָזַ֣ל ʼâzal H235 be gone V-Qal-Perf-3ms

מִ/כֵּלֵ֔י/נוּ kᵉlîy H3627 article/utensil Prep | N-mp | Suff

וּ/תְשׁוּרָ֥ה tᵉshûwrâh H8670 present Conj | N-fs

אֵין ʼayin H369 nothing Part

לְ/הָבִ֖יא bôwʼ H935 Lebo Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a

לְ/אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man Prep | N-ms

הָ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 God Art | N-mp

מָ֖ה mâh H4100 what? Part

אִתָּֽ/נוּ ʼêth H854 with Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 9:7

וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר 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.

שָׁא֜וּל 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.

לְ/נַעֲר֗/וֹ naʻar H5288 "youth" Prep | N-ms | Suff

In the original Hebrew, this word means a young person, either a boy or a girl, from infancy to adolescence. It is used to describe the servants and attendants who worked for kings and other important people in the Old Testament, like King David's servants.

Definition: 1) a boy, lad, servant, youth, retainer 1a) boy, lad, youth 1b) servant, retainer

Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man). See also: Genesis 14:24; 1 Samuel 25:5; Psalms 37:25.

וְ/הִנֵּ֣ה hinnêh H2009 "behold" Conj | Part

This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.

Definition: behold, lo, see, if

Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.

נֵלֵךְ֮ yâlak H3212 "to walk" V-Qal-Imperf-1cp

To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.

Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.

וּ/מַה mâh H4100 "what?" Conj | Part

This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.

Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may

Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.

נָּבִ֣יא bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cp

This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.

לָ/אִישׁ֒ ʼîysh H376 "man" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

כִּ֤י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

הַ/לֶּ֨חֶם֙ lechem H3899 "food" Art | N-cs

This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.

Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)

Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.

אָזַ֣ל ʼâzal H235 "be gone" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

To be gone means to go away or disappear, like something that is used up or exhausted. It can also mean to go to and fro, or to gad about, as in Ezekiel 27:19 where it describes trade and commerce.

Definition: 1) to go, to go away, to go about 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go away 1a2) to go about 1a3) to be used up, be exhausted, be gone, evaporated 1b) (Pual) to go to and fro

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: fail, gad about, go to and fro (but in Ezekiel 27:19 the word is rendered by many 'from Uzal,' by others 'yarn'), be gone (spent). See also: Deuteronomy 32:36; Job 14:11; Proverbs 20:14.

מִ/כֵּלֵ֔י/נוּ kᵉlîy H3627 "article/utensil" Prep | N-mp | Suff

This Hebrew word refers to any object or tool, like a utensil or a piece of furniture. It is used to describe a wide range of items, from musical instruments to weapons. It emphasizes the object's purpose or function.

Definition: 1) article, vessel, implement, utensil 1a) article, object (general) 1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel 1b1) implement (of hunting or war) 1b2) implement (of music) 1b3) implement, tool (of labour) 1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen) 1b5) utensils, furniture 1c) vessel, receptacle (general) 1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed

Usage: Occurs in 276 OT verses. KJV: armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. See also: Genesis 24:53; 1 Samuel 14:13; Ezra 8:26.

וּ/תְשׁוּרָ֥ה tᵉshûwrâh H8670 "present" Conj | N-fs

This Hebrew word means a gift or present, given to show appreciation or kindness. It represents a voluntary offering, like a birthday gift.

Definition: gift, present

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: present. See also: 1 Samuel 9:7.

אֵין ʼayin H369 "nothing" Part

This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.

Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.

לְ/הָבִ֖יא bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

לְ/אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" Prep | N-ms

הָ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" Art | N-mp

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

מָ֖ה mâh H4100 "what?" Part

אִתָּֽ/נוּ ʼêth H854 "with" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.

Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)

Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.

Study Notes — 1 Samuel 9:7

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Samuel 9:7 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 9:7
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 9:7
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:7
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:7
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:7
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:7
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 9:7
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 9:7
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:7
Sermons on 1 Samuel 9:7

Context — Saul Chosen as King

5When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Come, let us go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.” 6“Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.”

7“If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”

8The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.” 9(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Kings 14:3	Take with you ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will become of the boy.”
2	2 Kings 8:8	So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”
3	2 Kings 4:42	Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha.
4	2 Kings 5:5	“Go now,” said the king of Aram, “and I will send you with a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman departed, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of clothing.
5	Judges 6:18	Please do not depart from this place until I return to You. Let me bring my offering and set it before You.” And the LORD said, “I will stay until you return.”
6	Judges 13:15–17	“Please stay here,” Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “and we will prepare a young goat for you.” And the angel of the LORD replied, “Even if I stay, I will not eat your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD.” For Manoah did not know that it was the angel of the LORD. Then Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes to pass?”
7	2 Kings 5:15	Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”

1 Samuel 9:7 Summary

In 1 Samuel 9:7, Saul is concerned about not having a gift to give to the man of God, which shows that he knew it was important to show respect and humility when seeking guidance. This verse teaches us that when we come to God, we should come with a humble heart and a willingness to listen, as encouraged in Psalm 25:9, which says that God guides the humble in what is right. We can also learn from the servant's example in 1 Samuel 9:8, who was willing to offer what little he had, which reminds us that God can use whatever we have to provide for our needs, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30, where the master praises the servants who were faithful with what they were given.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Saul express concern about not having a gift for the man of God?

Saul was concerned because, in those days, it was customary to bring a gift when seeking guidance from a prophet or man of God, as seen in 1 Samuel 9:7, similar to the practice in 1 Kings 14:3 where a gift was brought to the prophet Ahijah.

What does this verse reveal about Saul's character?

This verse shows that Saul was aware of the protocol for seeking guidance from a man of God, but he was also concerned about his inability to provide a gift, which reveals his practical and possibly anxious nature, as seen in his earlier concern for his father's worry in 1 Samuel 9:5.

How does this verse relate to the concept of seeking God's guidance?

This verse highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance through His appointed servants, such as prophets, as seen in 1 Samuel 9:6-9, and the need to approach them with respect and humility, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6, which reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.

What can we learn from the servant's response to Saul's concern?

The servant's response in 1 Samuel 9:8 shows that he was prepared to offer what little he had, which teaches us that God can use whatever we have to provide for our needs, as seen in the story of the widow's oil in 2 Kings 4:1-7, where God multiplied the little she had to meet her needs.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I am seeking God's guidance, and how can I approach Him with humility and respect?
How can I, like the servant, trust that God will provide for my needs even when I feel I have little to offer?
What are some gifts or talents that I can offer to God as I seek His guidance and direction in my life?
In what ways can I apply the principle of seeking God's guidance through His Word and through the counsel of wise and mature believers, as seen in Proverbs 11:14?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 9:7

Then Saul said to his servant, but behold, if we go,.... The Targum is, "if he receives money,'' which it seems Saul was not clear in; some sort of persons that set up for prophets, and a sort of

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 9:7

Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? What shall we bring the man?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:7

The bread is spent in our vessels: this he saith, because bread was not unusually given by way of present, as we see, ,4. Or bread is put for all manner of provisions, as is frequent; and among these they might have something not unfit, in these plain times, to make a present of, as clusters of raisins, or cakes of figs, such as Abigail presented to David, . See also . There is not a present; such presents were then made to the prophets, ,3 8:8; either as a testimony of respect to him as their superior; upon which account subjects made presents to their kings, ; and the Persians never came to their king without some gift: or as a grateful acknowledgment of his favour; or for the support of the prophets themselves; or of the sons of the prophets; or of other persons in want, known to them.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:7

1 Samuel 9:7 Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, [if] we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and [there is] not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?Ver. 7. What shall we bring the man?] q.d., Incivile esset sine honorario eum accedere antea ignotum: It would be no good manners to go empty handed. See 1 Kings 14:3 2 Kings 4:42, and learn to show all thankful respects to God’ s faithful ministers. But the word and the world is now altered. Once it was, What shall we bring the man? what have we? Now it is, What shall we take, or keep back from the man? and to rob a minister, is held neither sin nor pity.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:7

(7) What shall we bring?—It would seem at first strange that one like Samuel should be approached by presents, but the custom of offering gifts was in many cases an act of respectful homage to a superior rather than a mere fee. Compare, for instance, the many detailed accounts of presents offered and accepted, chronicled in the varied sacred records—such as the little present of spicery, &c, sent by Jacob to the great minister or vizier of the Pharaoh of Egypt (Genesis 43:11), and the ten cheeses Jesse gave to the captain of the thousand in which his sons were serving, and in the days of the highest civilisation and culture known in Israel, the gifts offered by the Queen of Sheba to the magnificent Solomon (1 Kings 10:10).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:7

Verse 7. There is not a present to bring to the man of God] We are not to suppose from this that the prophets took money to predict future events: Saul only refers to an invariable custom, that no man approached a superior without a present of some kind or other. We have often seen this before; even God, who needs nothing, would not that his people should approach him with empty hands. "It is very common in Bengal for a person, who is desirous of asking a favour from a superior, to take a present of fruits or sweetmeats in his hand. If not accepted, the feelings of the offerer are greatly wounded. The making of presents to appease a superior is also very common in Bengal." - WARD'S Customs.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 9:7

7. a present] A word occurring here only, to denote the present with which one approaches a great man. The cognate verb is found in Isaiah 57:9, “Thou wentest to the king with ointment.” For presents offered to prophets compare 1 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 5:15 ff; 2 Kings 8:8-9 : and for the present of bread which Saul suggests they might have given compare the “handfuls of barley and pieces of bread” received by the false prophetesses in Ezekiel 13:19. See Smith’s Dict. of the Bible, Art. Gifts.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 9:7

Presents of bread or meat were as common as presents of money. (Compare Ezekiel 13:19; Hosea 3:2.)

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:7

7. What shall we bring the man — “Then, as now, in the East, it would have been the height of rudeness and indecorum for any one to present himself before a superior or equal, especially if he had

Sermons on 1 Samuel 9:7

	Sermon	Description
	(1 Samuel) God Guides the Unknowing by David Guzik	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes how God can use ordinary and sometimes frustrating circumstances to guide us to where He wants us to be. He uses the example of Saul being l
	Miracles of Elisha, Message 3 by Ed Miller	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the characteristics of a person who surrenders to God and has a passion for Him. The sermon is based on four stories from the Bible: the widow
	Lessons From Elisha 01 Death in the Pot by Joseph Balsan	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of a man from Baal Shalisha who brought twenty loaves of barley and fullers of corn to Elisha. This story represents the lowliness
	An Anonymous Benefactor by Denis Lyle	Denis Lyle preaches about the story of an anonymous benefactor who generously provided for Dr. Barnardo's village for orphan girls and how God's provision often comes at the right
	God Uses the Weak and the Foolish by Zac Poonen	This sermon emphasizes the importance of humility, honesty, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. It highlights the dangers of rebellion, pursuing money, and seeking approval from

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