1 Samuel 9:26

King James Version (KJV)

And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Called Saul to the top of the house - Saul had no doubt slept there all night; and now, it being the break of day, "Samuel called to Saul on the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away." There was no calling him to the house-top a second time he was sleeping there, and Samuel called him up.

Was this helpful?

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

To the top of the house - “On the top.” The bed on which Saul slept was on the top of the house. It is very common in the East to provide extra sleeping accommodation by placing a tent or awning on the house-top.

Was this helpful?

Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Samuel, that good prophet, was so far from envying Saul, or bearing him any ill-will, that he was the first and most forward to do him honour. Both that evening and early the next morning, Samuel communed with Saul upon the flat roof of the house. We may suppose Samuel now convinced Saul that he was the person God had fixed upon for the government, and of his own willingness to resign. How different are the purposes of the Lord for us, from our intentions for ourselves! Perhaps Saul was the only one who ever went out to seek asses, and literally found a kingdom; but many have set out and moved their dwellings to seek riches and pleasures, who have been guided to places where they found salvation for their souls. Thus they have met with those who addressed them as if aware of the secrets of their lives and hearts, and have been led seriously to regard the word of the Lord. If this has been our case, though our worldly plans have not prospered, let us not care for that; the Lord has given us, or has prepared us for, what is far better.

Was this helpful?

SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. Vial of oil. Olive oil was a symbol of prosperity (Deut. 32:13; Deut. 33:24). The anointing of the body with oil was from the beginning of history, and still is among primitive peoples, a general practice. Later, perfumed ointments were used. Persons were anointed for various reasons: as a mark of honor (Luke 7:46; John 11:2), in preparation for social events (Ruth 3:3), or as signifying a proper qualification for some special service, dignity, function, or privilege.

The Lord hath anointed thee. Among the Hebrews the anointing of a man by a prophet was symbolic of the impartation to him of a special endowment of the Holy Spirit for the accomplishment of his appointed task. This holy anointing oil was used for the consecration of articles used for religious purposes, such as the tabernacle (Ex. 30:26-29), and for the consecration of priests (Ex. 29:7; Ex. 30:30; Lev. 8:10-12; etc.). Special care was to be exercised in its preparation and use (Ex. 30:23-33). There was, of course, no more sanctity in the oil itself than in the water of baptism; it did not convey special virtueâ€”it was only a symbol. Some think the practice of anointing a king originated in Egypt; others see in ancient Canaanite ritual an evidence of its very early use.

The anointing with oil is an excellent illustration of how God makes use of human customs to lead men to reach out for a deeper, truer knowledge of salvation. God directed the Israelites to make familiar types of coverings, carrying poles, etc., for the sacred furniture and vessels of the tabernacle, resembling, to some extent, those the Egyptians used in connection with their temples. Articles of similar workmanship were found in the tomb of Tutankhamen. Here were also found guardian figures like the cherubim, their wings touching, wrought in high relief on the sarcophagus of this Pharaoh. To the Wise Men of Christ’s day God gave a sign through a medium with which they were familiarâ€”a star to guide them to Bethlehem. Whatever the age and whatever the customs of the people, God uses media familiar to the people in teaching them of His holiness and of the beauty of the plan of redemption.

Was this helpful?

Cross References

The Ministry of Samuel and Anointment of Saul

Saul, 1000 BCE

The Ministry of Samuel and Anointment of Saul

BibleTools.info

Bible Verse Explanations and Resources

1 Samuel 9:26