1Sa 9:9-19 | TNotes

9:12 ^a Leaders of a community would normally convene for business at the town gates (cp. Ruth 4:1-2 ^b).

• take part in a public sacrifice: Samuel is one of very few individuals in whom prophetic and priestly ministries unite (also Moses, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Jesus).

• place of worship (literally high place): An open-air altar or platform on a hill near the city gate. High places easily became sites for pagan idolatry (see Num 33:52 ^c; 1 Kgs 15:14 ^d; 22:43 ^e; 2 Kgs 12:3 ^f; 14:4 ^g; 15:4 ^h, 35 ⁱ).
9:13 ^j to eat: Part of a sacrifice made during worship was burned on the altar, while the remainder was eaten in a ceremonial feast by the guests (see also 1:4 ^k).

• to bless the food: As a Levite, Samuel’s priestly role included offering blessings (see Deut 10:8 ^l; 21:5 ^m).
9:16 ⁿ God’s directive to anoint him (by pouring olive oil on the head) marked Saul’s elevation in status and consecration for a special purpose (see Exod 30:22-33 ^o; Lev 8:12 ^p; 1 Kgs 19:16 ^q; Isa 45:1 ^r).

• He will rescue them: As they had requested (1 Sam 8:20 ^s; cp. Judg 13:5 ^t). David eventually subdued the Philistines (2 Sam 5:17-25 ^u; 8:1 ^v; 21:15 ^w, 18-22 ^x).

• for I have ... heard their cry (cp. Exod 3:7-9 ^y): The Philistines were again threatening to conquer Israel and demand homage from them as vassals.