They Go To Seek Help From The Prophet Whom The Servant Knows About (1 Samuel 9:6-13).
‘ And he said to him, “Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man who is held in honour. All that he says always comes about. Now let us go there. Perhaps he can give us information concerning our journey on which we are bent.”
Meanwhile the servant had had a God given inspiration. He was aware that in the city close by was a man of God who had an amazing reputation, a man held in honour by all. He may possibly have just gained the information about Samuel's presence from a passing traveller, for we are not told which city this was. It may not have been Ramah, and the indications are that it was not, otherwise why does the writer not mention it and why does he avoid saying that he dwelt there. The anonymity may suggest that the writer did not in fact know which city it was.
Indeed, the servant pointed out, he was such a man that all that he forecast always came about (compare 1 Samuel 3:19). Surely then if they went to see him he would be able to aid them in their quest.
The fact that Saul seemed to be unaware of Samuel's reputation is not really surprising. It has made some argue that the writer is depicting a small time seer of only local fame. But that idea is not in line with the servant's description, (the servant clearly had a very high regard for Samuel) and it is quite likely that if Saul was still a youth working hard on his father's estate he would not have had any reason for gaining much knowledge about Samuel, or about where he lived. After all Samuel was by now at the end of his long career and his main exploits had happened a long time before. He was no longer the latest thing on everyone's lips. There was therefore no reason why Saul should have any detailed knowledge about him.
‘ Then said Saul to his servant, “But, see, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our containers, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What have we got?” '
It was recognised that prophets were always open for people to visit them. It was seen as an essential part of their ministry to be ever open to the people of God who sought them out, whether for large reasons or small. Thus there was no problem about going to see him. Saul, however, foresaw a problem. They had nothing to take him as a gift. The idea of the giving of presents to prophets is well evidenced (1 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 5:15 ff; 2 Kings 8:8-9). It was seen as a courteous thing to do, and Saul had been well brought up.
‘ And the servant answered Saul again, and said, “Look, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us the way that we should take.”
The servant had, however, thought of that. He pointed out that he had a fourth part of a shekel which he would give to the man of God in return for his help in guiding them.
‘ (Previously in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he said, “Come, and let us go to the seer,” for he who is now called a Prophet was previously called a Seer).'
We have here an interesting note that explains the meaning of ‘seer', stressing the ‘ancient' nature of the source being used. It simply indicated the equivalent of a ‘prophet'. By the time that Solomon came to the throne the word ‘seer' had fallen out of use. Apart from in this chapter it occurs only in 2 Samuel 15:27; Isaiah 30:10 and in Chronicles (whose writers liked to revive ancient words). It thus indicates that the final compilation took place during or after the reign of Solomon. The word for ‘prophet' (nabi) is very ancient, being found in the Ebla tablets of 2300 BC in the form nabi'utum.
‘ Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said. Come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.'
Saul reveals his gratitude and confirms his agreement with his servant's suggestion. So they both go together to the city where the man of God was.
‘ As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young unmarried women going out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?”
On the way up to the city they come across a young unmarried woman who was going to draw water, accompanied by others, and they asked ‘them' whether the seer was in town. The spring or well would be on the lower ground below the city. Cities were always built near a water source.
‘ And they answered them, and said, “He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he is today come into the city, for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place.” '
“He is before you” may signify that all that they have to do to find him is go straight up, or may be an indication that he has arrived before them. The latter would then suggest that they saw the two travellers as having been invited to the celebrations but as being a little late. So they tell them to hurry, as the seer had already arrived and a sacrifice was to be offered that very day on the high place.
Ii is clear that in view of the lack of a Tabernacle and of a High Priest Samuel had made provision for the offering of offerings and sacrifices through himself, and possibly through other priests, at well known high places, of which one was to be found in Ramah (compare 1 Samuel 7:9; and note 1 Samuel 6:14; 1Sa 10:5; 1 Samuel 14:35; 1 Samuel 15:21), another in Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:5-9), and another in Gilgal 1 Samuel 13:7-11. It should, however, be noted that a high place was not necessarily on a hill top. High places could be erected in cities. It is because later they became syncretistic and associated with specifically Canaanite worship, that they were later so condemned. Once the Tabernacle was re-erected and the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH was restored, they became unnecessary, and even divisive.
“ As soon as you are come into the city, you will immediately find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat until he arrives, because he blesses the sacrifice. Afterwards those who are bidden eat. Now therefore get yourselves up there, for at this time you will find him.”
A feast for specially invited guests was being held in the city, and this necessarily involved the sacrificing of freewill and thanksgiving sacrifices from which the meat would come. It would appear that other priests would sacrifice the sacrifices but that Samuel would bless the sacrificial meal, at which point all would be able to eat. So if that was why they had come seeking the seer they would find him there and needed to hurry so as to be there in time for the sacrifices and blessing.