that he shall come to thee” (J. H. Mich. ). The words, “that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, for their cry is come unto me,” are not at all at variance with 1Sa 7:13. In that passage there is simply the assertion, that there was no more any permanent oppression on the part of the Philistines in the days of Samuel, such as had taken place before; but an attempt to recover their supremacy over Israel is not only not precluded, but is even indirectly affirmed (see the comm. on 1Sa 7:13). The words before us simply show that the Philistines had then begun to make a fresh attempt to contend for dominion over the Israelites. “I have looked upon my people:” this is to be explained like the similar passage in Exo 2:25, “God looked upon the children of Israel,” and Exo 3:7, “I have looked upon the misery of my people.” God's looking was not a quiet, inactive looking on, but an energetic look, which brought help in trouble. “Their cry is come unto me:” this is word for word the same as in Exo 3:9. As the Philistines wanted to tread in the footsteps of the Egyptians, it was necessary that Jehovah should also send His people a deliverer from these new oppressors, by giving them a king. The reason here assigned for the establishment of a monarchy is by no means at variance with the displeasure which God had expressed to Samuel at the desire of the people for a king (1Sa 8:7.); since this displeasure had reference to the state of heart from which the desire had sprung.
Verse 17
When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord answered him, sc., in reply to the tacit inquiry, ‘Is this he?’ “Behold, this is the man of whom I spake to thee.” עצר, coercere imperio.
Verses 18-24
The thread of the narrative, which was broken off in 1Sa 9:15, is resumed in 1Sa 9:18. Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and asked him for the seer's house. The expression השּׁער בּתוך is used to define more precisely the general phrase in 1Sa 9:14, העיר בּתוך בּאים; and there is no necessity to alter העיר in 1Sa 9:14 into השּׁער, as Thenius proposes, for העיר בּתוך כּוא does not mean to go (or be) in the middle of the town, as he imagines, but to go into, or enter, the town; and the entrance to the town was through the gate.
Verses 19-21
Samuel replied, “I am the seer: go up before me to the high place, and eat with me to-day; and to-morrow I will send thee away, and make known to thee all that is in thy heart.” Letting
