Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 9:6

"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." — 1 Samuel 9:6 (ASV)

A man of God. —When Saul determined to give up the search for his father’s asses, he was in the neighborhood 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 relationship, however, between Samuel and the people must have been of a very close and friendly nature; otherwise, it would never have occurred, even to a simple countryman—as Saul’s servant probably was then—to have sought the advice of one so great as Samuel in such a matter. It also says 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.