1 Samuel 9:16 Meaning and Explanation
“To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The Lord tells Samuel he will send a man from Benjamin to be anointed leader to deliver Israel from the Philistines.
What Does 1 Samuel 9:16 Mean?
The Lord's earlier word to Samuel is now given in full. Tomorrow at this time he will send a man from Benjamin, whom Samuel is to anoint as captain over Israel to save them from the Philistines. The reason is tender: God has looked upon his people and their cry has come up to him. Saul is the man being sent.
Even as Israel's request for a king fell short, the Lord answers their distress with mercy. He hears the cry of his people and moves to deliver them, raising up a leader to save them from their enemies. This same compassion runs through all of Scripture and finds its fullness in the Savior God would send, the deliverer who hears every cry and comes to rescue his people. The God who looks upon affliction always acts to redeem.
1 Samuel 9:16 in the Original Language
Behind 'anoint' stands mashach (מָשַׁח), 'to anoint with oil', the root from which 'Messiah', the Anointed One, is formed.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 9:16
What does 1 Samuel 9:16 mean?
The Lord tells Samuel he will send a man from Benjamin to be anointed leader to deliver Israel from the Philistines.