1 Samuel 9:6
New International Version
But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”

New Living Translation
But the servant said, “I’ve just thought of something! There is a man of God who lives here in this town. He is held in high honor by all the people because everything he says comes true. Let’s go find him. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.”

English Standard Version
But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.”

Berean Literal Bible
And he said to him, “Behold now, a man of God is in this city, and the man is honored; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can declare to us the way on which we should go.”

King James Bible
And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.

New King James Version
And he said to him, “Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go.”

New American Standard Bible
But he said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; everything that he says definitely comes true. Now let’s go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out.”

NASB 1995
He said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out.”

NASB 1977
And he said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But he said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have gone.”

Amplified Bible
The servant said to him, “Look here, in this city there is a man of God, and the man is held in honor; everything that he says comes true. Now let us go there; perhaps he can advise us about our journey [and tell us where we should go].”

Berean Annotated Bible
“Look, said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God {Elohim} who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Look,” the servant said, “there’s a man of God in this city who is highly respected; everything he says is sure to come true. Let’s go there now. Maybe he’ll tell us which way we should go.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Look,” the attendant said, “there’s a man of God in this city who is highly respected; everything he says is sure to come true. Let’s go there now. Maybe he’ll tell us which way we should go.”

American Standard Version
And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man that is held in honor; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go.

Contemporary English Version
"Wait!" the servant answered. "There's a man of God who lives in a town near here. He's amazing! Everything he says comes true. Let's talk to him. Maybe he can tell us where to look."

English Revised Version
And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man that is held in honour; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The servant responded, "There's a man of God in this city, a highly respected man. Everything he says is sure to happen. Let's go there. Maybe he'll tell us which way we should go."

Good News Translation
The servant answered, "Wait! In this town there is a holy man who is highly respected because everything he says comes true. Let's go to him, and maybe he can tell us where we can find the donkeys."

International Standard Version
The young man said, "Look, there's a man of God in this town. The man is respected, and everything he predicts happens. Now, let's go there. Perhaps he can tell us about the journey on which we have set out."

NET Bible
But the servant said to him, "Look, there is a man of God in this town. He is highly respected. Everything that he says really happens. Now let's go there. Perhaps he will tell us where we should go from here."

New Heart English Bible
He said to him, "See now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man who is held in honor. All that he says surely comes to pass. Now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us concerning our journey on which we have set out."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; it may be he can show us our way that we should go.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
“Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.”

World English Bible
The servant said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor. All that he says surely happens. Now let’s go there. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says to him, “Now behold, a man of God [is] in this city, and the man is honored; all that he speaks certainly comes; now, we go there, it may be he declares to us our way on which we have gone.”

Berean Literal Bible
And he said to him, “Behold now, a man of God is in this city, and the man is honored; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can declare to us the way on which we should go.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith to him, 'Lo, I pray thee, a man of God is in this city, and the man is honoured; all that he speaketh doth certainly come; now, we go there, it may be he doth declare to us our way on which we have gone.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to him, Behold now, a man of God in this city, and the man honored; all which he shall speak, coming, will come: now we will go there, perhaps he will announce to us our way which we went upon it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to him: Behold there is a man of God in this city, a famous man: all that he saith, cometh certainly to pass. Now therefore let us go thither, perhaps he may tell us of our way, for which we are come.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to him: “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, a noble man. All that he says, happens without fail. Now therefore, let us go there. For perhaps he may tell us about our way, because of which we have arrived.”

New American Bible
The servant replied, “Listen! There is a man of God in this city, a man held in high esteem; everything he says comes true. Let us go there now! Perhaps he can advise us about the journey we have undertaken.”

New Revised Standard Version
But he said to him, “There is a man of God in this town; he is a man held in honor. Whatever he says always comes true. Let us go there now; perhaps he will tell us about the journey on which we have set out.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But his servant said to him, Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is an honorable man in the eyes of the people; all that he says comes surely to pass; now let us go there; perhaps he can tell us about the errand for which we have come.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his boy said to him: “See, a certain man of God is in the city, and a man honored in the eyes of the people, and everything that he says is coming, comes. Now, let us go there; perhaps he will show us the way where we may come upon it”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto him: 'Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man that is held in honour; all that he saith cometh surely to pass; now let us go thither; peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the young man said to him, Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is of high repute; all that he shall speak will surely come to pass: now then let us go, that he may tell us our way on which we have set out.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Saul Chosen as King
5When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Come, let us go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.” 6“Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.” 7“If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”…

Cross References
“Look,” said the servant,

2 Kings 5:13
Naaman’s servants, however, approached him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’?”

Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
“in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected;

2 Kings 4:9
Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God.

2 Kings 5:8
Now when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

1 Kings 17:24
Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is truth.”
“everything he says surely comes to pass.

1 Samuel 3:19
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

Deuteronomy 18:22
When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.
“Let us go there now.

Luke 2:15
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

2 Kings 22:13
“Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah concerning the words in this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book by doing all that is written about us.”
“Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.”

Jeremiah 42:3
Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do.”

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Psalm 25:4-5
Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. / Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.
1 Kings 14:3
Take with you ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will become of the boy.”

1 Kings 13:1-3
Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD. / And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’” / That day the man of God gave a sign, saying, “The LORD has spoken this sign: ‘Surely the altar will be split apart, and the ashes upon it will be poured out.’”

2 Kings 4:42-44
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he said comes surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can show us our way that we should go.

city

1 Samuel 2:27
And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

Deuteronomy 33:1
And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.

1 Kings 13:1
And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.

an honourable

1 Thessalonians 2:10
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

1 Thessalonians 5:13
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

all that he saith

1 Samuel 3:19,20
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground…

Isaiah 44:26
That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

Zechariah 1:5,6
Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? …

Jump to Previous
City Held Honor Honorable Honour Journey Peradventure Show Surely Thither True. Way Whereon
Jump to Next
City Held Honor Honorable Honour Journey Peradventure Show Surely Thither True. Way Whereon
1 Samuel 9
1. Saul despairing to find his father's donkeys
6. by the counsel of his servant
11. and direction of young maidens
15. according to God's revelation
18. comes to Samuel
19. Samuel entertains Saul at the feast
25. Samuel, after secret communication, brings Saul on his way












“Look,” said the servant,

Saul’s servant recognized that their search had reached a point where human effort was not enough. His counsel directed Saul toward God’s appointed prophet.

2Ki 5:13 Naaman’s servants, however, approached him and said,…
Pro 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel.…

“in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected;

The man was Samuel, Israel’s judge and prophet. His faithful leadership and established reputation made him a trusted source of God’s direction.

2Ki 4:9 Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know…
2Ki 5:8 Now when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel…
1Ki 17:24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know”…

everything he says surely comes to pass.

Samuel’s words were known to be dependable because he spoke under God’s authority. God was already guiding Saul toward the meeting that would lead to his anointing as king.

1Sa 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him,…
Num 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man,…
Deu 18:22 When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD…

Let us go there now.

The servant urged immediate action, unaware that the lost donkeys had brought them to the place God intended.

Luk 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven,…
2Ki 22:13 Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people,…

Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.”

Saul sought help in finding the animals, but Samuel would reveal a far greater purpose: God had chosen Saul to lead Israel.

Jer 42:3 Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way…
Pro 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not…
Psa 25:4-5 Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Saul
The son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who is on a journey to find his father's lost donkeys. He is later anointed as the first king of Israel.

2. Saul's Servant
Accompanies Saul on his journey and suggests seeking the counsel of the man of God, demonstrating faith and wisdom.

3. The Man of God (Samuel)
A prophet and judge in Israel, known for his integrity and the accuracy of his prophecies. He plays a crucial role in the transition of Israel from a theocracy to a monarchy.

4. The City
The location where Samuel resides, which is not named in this verse but is known to be Ramah, Samuel's hometown.

5. The Event
Saul and his servant are searching for lost donkeys, and the servant suggests consulting Samuel, the prophet, for guidance.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Seeking Godly Counsel
Just as Saul's servant recognized the value of consulting a man of God, we should seek wise and godly counsel in our decisions.

Recognizing True Prophets and Leaders
Samuel's reputation as a true prophet is based on the fulfillment of his words. We should discern and follow leaders whose lives and words align with God's truth.

Faith in God's Guidance
The servant's suggestion to seek Samuel's guidance reflects a trust in God's ability to direct our paths. We should cultivate a similar faith in God's providence.

The Role of Servants in God's Plan
The servant's initiative and faith play a crucial role in leading Saul to Samuel. God often uses humble and seemingly insignificant people to fulfill His purposes.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 9:6?

2. How does 1 Samuel 9:6 highlight the importance of seeking God's guidance today?

3. What qualities made the prophet in 1 Samuel 9:6 trustworthy and respected?

4. How can we discern and trust spiritual leaders like in 1 Samuel 9:6?

5. How does seeking God's guidance in 1 Samuel 9:6 connect to Proverbs 3:5-6?

6. How can we apply the principle of seeking divine counsel in daily decisions?

7. What does 1 Samuel 9:6 reveal about the role of prophets in ancient Israel?

8. How does 1 Samuel 9:6 illustrate the importance of seeking divine guidance?

9. What historical evidence supports the existence of prophets like Samuel in ancient Israel?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 9?


(6) A man of God.--When Saul determined to give up the search for his father's asses, he was in the neigh. bourhood of the city of Samuel the seer--"Raman of the Watchers." The servant points out to him the tower of the then famous residence of the seer and judge, Samuel. "Will you not ask him," suggests the servant, "about the missing beasts?"--the young countryman, in the simplicity of his heart, thinking the occasion of the loss of his master's asses a sufficient one to warrant an intrusion upon the prophet-judge of Israel. The relation, however, between Samuel and the people must have been of a very close and friendly nature, else it would never have occurred, even to a simple countryman--as probably then Saul's servant was--to have sought the advice of one so great as Samuel in such a matter. It says, too, much for the old prophet's kindly, unselfish disposition that his name was thus loved and honoured, even in the secluded farms of the Land of Promise.

An honourable man.--Better rendered, one held in honour.

Verse 6. - In this city. Probably Ramathaim-zophim, i.e. Ramah, Samuel's dwelling place and property. Confessedly, however, Saul's route hither and thither in search of lost cattle is very obscure, and it is difficult to reconcile this identification with the statement in 1 Samuel 10:2, that Rachel's sepulchre lay on the route between this city and Gibeah of Saul. Nevertheless, Ramah was certainly in the land of Zuph, whence too it took its longer name (see on 1 Samuel 1:1); and it is remarkable that Jeremiah (1 Samuel 31:15) describes Rachel's weeping as being heard in Ramah. It seems extraordinary that Saul should have known nothing of Israel's chief ruler, and that his servant was acquainted with him only in his lower capacity as a person to be consulted in private difficulties. He describes him, nevertheless, as an honourable man, or, more literally, an honoured man, one held in honour.

This verse captures a pivotal, everyday moment when ordinary people decide to seek extraordinary guidance. A servant urges a weary master to look beyond lost donkeys to a living God who speaks through an honored prophet. Their swift, respectful approach models how believers today should respond: notice God’s provision, value proven spiritual leadership, trust the reliability of God’s word, act without delay, and expect divine direction while resting in His sovereign “perhaps.”

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Look,”
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

said the servant,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“in this
הַזֹּ֔את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

city
בָּעִ֣יר (bā·‘îr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

there is a man
אִישׁ־ (’îš-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of God
אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

who
וְהָאִ֣ישׁ (wə·hā·’îš)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

is highly respected;
נִכְבָּ֔ד (niḵ·bāḏ)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

everything
כֹּ֥ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

he says
יְדַבֵּ֖ר (yə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

surely
בּ֣וֹא (bō·w)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

comes to pass.
יָב֑וֹא (yā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

Let us go
נֵ֣לֲכָה (nê·lă·ḵāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

there
שָּׁ֔ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

now.
עַתָּה֙ (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

Maybe
אוּלַי֙ (’ū·lay)
Adverb
Strong's 194: Perhaps

he will tell
יַגִּ֣יד (yag·gîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

us which
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

way
דַּרְכֵּ֖נוּ (dar·kê·nū)
Noun - common singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

to go.”
הָלַ֥כְנוּ (hā·laḵ·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk


Additonal Resources
1 Samuel 9:6 Blue Letter Bible
1 Samuel 9:6 Bible Gateway
1 Samuel 9:6 Bible.com

1 Samuel 9:6 NIV
1 Samuel 9:6 NLT
1 Samuel 9:6 ESV
1 Samuel 9:6 NASB
1 Samuel 9:6 KJV

1 Samuel 9:6 Study Bible
1 Samuel 9:6 Biblia Paralela
1 Samuel 9:6 Chinese Bible
1 Samuel 9:6 French Bible
1 Samuel 9:6 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Samuel 9:6 He said to him See now there (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)

1 Samuel 9:5
Top of Page
Top of Page