1 Samuel 9:16

“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The LORD speaks to Samuel on the day before Saul’s arrival, revealing a specific appointment to anoint a new leader. The message is delivered as a direct command to prepare for the incoming figure.

The words — מָחָ֡ר (maḥar) translates literally as “tomorrow,” and אֶשְׁלַח (ešleḥ) means “I will send,” anchoring the prophecy to an immediate, divine initiative.

The thread — The promise of deliverance from the Philistines connects to the anointing of Saul in 1 Samuel 10:1, while the Lord’s attention to the people’s cry echoes the pattern in Exodus 3:7.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that leadership change is initiated by divine observation of human suffering, not human strategy. It requires the reader to accept that God’s response to oppression operates through specific, timed appointments.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

כָּעֵ֣ת׀ka./'Etabout <the>/ this time מָחָ֡רma.Chartomorrow אֶשְׁלַח֩'esh.LachI will send אֵלֶ֨יךָ'e.Lei./khato/ you אִ֜ישׁ'isha man מֵאֶ֣רֶץme./'E.retzfrom/ [the] land of בִּנְיָמִ֗ןbin.ya.MinBenjamin וּמְשַׁחְתּ֤וֹu./me.shach.T/oand/ you will anoint/ him לְנָגִיד֙le./na.Gidto/ ruler עַל־'al-over עַמִּ֣י'a.M/ipeople/ my יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElIsrael וְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַve./ho.Shi.a'and/ he will deliver אֶת־'et-<obj.>עַמִּ֖י'a.M/ipeople/ my מִיַּ֣דmi./Yadfrom/ [the] hand of פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑יםpe.lish.Tim[the] Philistines כִּ֤יkifor רָאִ֙יתִי֙ra.'I.tiI have seen אֶת־'et-<obj.>עַמִּ֔י'a.M/ipeople/ my כִּ֛יkifor בָּ֥אָהBa.'ahit has come צַעֲקָת֖וֹtza.'a.ka.T/ocry of distress/ its אֵלָֽי׃'e.La/ito/ me

King James Version

To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

Cross-references

1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?
Exodus 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.
Psalms 25:18 Consider my affliction and trouble, and take away all my sins.
Psalms 106:44 Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress.
1 Samuel 15:1 Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD.
Exodus 2:23 After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God.
1 Kings 19:15 Then the LORD said to him, “Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram.
2 Kings 9:3 Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!”
1 Samuel 16:3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.”