Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 9:12

"And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, [he is] before thee: make haste now, for he is come to-day into the city; for the people have a sacrifice to-day in the high place:" — 1 Samuel 9:12 (ASV)

He came today: the little scene—in itself in no way remarkable—is recounted by an eyewitness, evidently introducing momentous consequences.

Every detail of that day’s proceedings was of deep interest to Israel. Some of the young women of Ramah were at the side of the well, drawing water for their homes.

The two strangers approached them with the words, “Is the seer who dwells among you here just now?” and they eagerly replied, “Yes, this very day he came from his house into the town. It is a festival day—you will find him presiding up there,” pointing, no doubt, to the high place where the sacrifices were being offered.

Every word spoken by the girls of Ramah, loving to chatter and exhibit their local knowledge and their interest in their great fellow citizen, the seer and judge, to whom they, in common with the inhabitants of Ramah, were, no doubt, much attached, was later remembered by Saul and his companion.