Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Overview
Sa1 9:1, Saul despairing to find his father's asses, Sa1 9:6, by the counsel of his servant, Sa1 9:11, and direction of young maidens, Sa1 9:15, according to God's revelation, Sa1 9:18, comes to Samuel; Sa1 9:19, Samuel entertains Saul at the feast; Sa1 9:25, Samuel, after secret communication, brings Saul on his way.
Kish: Sa1 14:51; Ch1 8:30-33, Ch1 9:36-39; Act 13:21, Cis
a Benjamite: or, the son of a man of Jemini
power: or, substance. Sa1 25:2; Sa2 19:32; Job 1:3
choice: Sa1 16:7; Gen 6:2; Sa2 14:25, Sa2 14:26; Jer 9:23
from his shoulders: Sa1 10:23, Sa1 17:4; Num 13:33
Shalisha: Kg2 4:42
Zuph: Sa1 1:1
take thought: Sa1 10:2; Mat 6:25, Mat 6:28, Mat 6:34; Luk 12:11, Luk 12:22
city: Sa1 2:27; Deu 33:1; Kg1 13:1; Kg2 6:6; Ti1 6:11
an honourable: Th1 2:10, Th1 5:13
all that he saith: Sa1 3:19, Sa1 3:20; Isa 44:26; Zac 1:5, Zac 1:6; Mat 24:35
what shall: Jdg 6:18, Jdg 13:15-17; Kg1 14:3; Kg2 4:42, Kg2 5:5, Kg2 8:8
spent in: Heb. gone out of, etc
there is not: 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 some present or another, however small in value. Dr. Pococke tells us of a present of fifty radishes! Other authors mention a flower, an orange, or similar trifles; and Mr. Bruce says, that one who wished to solicit a favour from him, presented him with about a score of dates! "I mention this trifling circumstance," says Mr. B. "to shew how essential to human and civil intercourse presents are considered to be in the East; whether it be dates, or whether it be diamonds, they are so much a part of their manners, that without them, an inferior will never be at peace in his own mind, or think that he has hold of his superior for protection. But superiors give no presents to their inferiors." Presents then are tokens of honour; not intended as offers of payment or enrichment.
have we: Heb. is with us
I have here at hand: Heb. there is found in my hand, Sa1 9:8
a Seer: Sa2 24:11; Kg2 17:13; Ch1 26:28, Ch1 29:29; Ch2 16:7, Ch2 16:10; Isa 29:10; Isa 30:10; Amo 7:12
Well said: Heb. Thy word is good, Kg2 5:13, Kg2 5:14
the hill to the city: Heb. in the ascent of the city, found. Gen 24:11, Gen 24:18-20; Exo 2:16; Jdg 5:11
sacrifice: or, feast, Sa1 16:2; Gen 31:54; Deu 12:6, Deu 12:7; Co1 5:7, Co1 5:8
the high place: Kg1 3:2-4; Ch1 16:39
he doth bless: Mat 26:26; Mar 6:41; Luk 24:30; Joh 6:11, Joh 6:23; Co1 10:30; Ti1 4:4
this time: Heb. to-day
the Lord: Sa1 9:17, Sa1 15:1; Psa 25:14; Amo 3:7; Mar 11:2-4, Mar 14:13-16; Act 13:21, Act 27:23
told Samuel in his ear: Heb. revealed the ear of Samuel, Sa1 20:2; Sa2 7:27; Job 33:16 *marg.
thou shalt: Sa1 10:1, Sa1 15:1, Sa1 16:3; Kg1 19:15, Kg1 19:16; Kg2 9:3-6
looked upon: Exo 2:23-25, Exo 3:7-9; Psa 25:18, Psa 106:44
Behold: Sa1 16:6-12; Hos 13:11
reign over: Heb. restrain in, Sa1 3:13; Sa2 23:6, Sa2 23:7; Neh 13:19, Neh 13:25; Act 13:21; Rom 13:3, Rom 13:4
the seer: The word roaih literally signifies one who sees; particularly preternatural sights. A seer and a prophet were the same in most cases; only with this difference, the seer was always a prophet, but the prophet was not always a seer. A seer seems to imply one who frequently met with and saw some symbolical representation of God. All prophets, true or false, profess to see God (see Num 24:4, Num 24:16. Jer 14:4); and diviners, in their enthusiastic flights, boasted that they had those things exhibited to their sight which should come to pass.
and will tell: Joh 4:29; Co1 14:25
three days ago: Heb. to-day three days, Sa1 9:3
set not: Sa1 4:20 *marg. Ch1 29:3; Psa 62:10; Col 3:2
on whom: Sa1 8:5, Sa1 8:19, Sa1 12:13, Sa1 12:15
a Benjamite: Jdg 20:46-48; Psa 68:27
my family: Sa1 10:27, Sa1 15:17, Sa1 18:18, Sa1 18:23; Jdg 6:14, Jdg 6:15; Hos 13:1; Luk 14:11; Eph 3:8
so to me: Heb. according to this word
in the chiefest: Gen 43:32; Luk 14:10
the shoulder: Probably the shoulder was set before Saul, not because it was the best part, but because it was an emblem of the government to which he was now called. (See note on Isa 9:6.) Lev 7:32, Lev 7:33; Eze 24:4
left: or, reserved
And when: Sa1 9:13
the top: Deu 22:8; Sa2 11:2; Neh 8:16; Jer 19:13; Mat 10:27; Act 10:9
Samuel: Saul had no doubt slept there all night, as is usual in the East; and now, being the break of day, "Samuel called to Saul on the top of the house:" there was no calling him to the top of the house a second time; he was sleeping there, and Samuel called him up.
Up: Gen 19:14, Gen 44:4; Jos 7:13; Jdg 19:28
Bid the servant: Sa1 20:38, Sa1 20:39; Joh 15:14, Joh 15:15
a while: Heb. to-day