Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 9:23

"And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee." — 1 Samuel 9:23 (ASV)

And Samuel said to the cook. — The meaning of this statement is simply this: everything that took place in the meeting of the prophet and Saul at the sacrificial feast, and subsequently in Samuel’s house, was arranged beforehand; every event was foreseen and provided for, even the trivial details. All of this was symbolic in this preparation for the great change in the constitution of Israel, which, under God’s providence, was fraught with such important consequences.

The very piece of meat set before Samuel at the Ramah banquet was not a chance piece. Instead, it was one that, undoubtedly because it was considered the choicest, had been carefully set aside for him when the sacrificial feast was being prepared.