John Gill Commentary 1 Samuel 9:11

"As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?" — 1 Samuel 9:11 (ASV)

And as they went up the hill to the city
For the city was built upon a hill, from where it had the name of Ramah, which signifies high and lifted up.

they found young maidens going out to draw water :
going out of the city, to a fountain which was at the bottom of the hill; and this was the usual business of maidens in those countries to fetch water for the service of the family, (See Gill on Genesis 24:11), (See Gill on Genesis 24:15), (See Gill on Genesis 24:16).

R. Akiba ^F5 makes this observation, that whenever a man meets maidens coming out of a city before he goes into it, it is a token of prosperity to him; and instances in the cases of Abraham's servant, of Jacob, and of Moses, and here of Saul, who was informed of a kingdom, and anointed for it, see (Genesis 24:14Genesis 24:21) (Genesis 29:10Genesis 29:11) (Exodus 2:16) .

and said unto them, is the seer here ?
meaning, is he in the city? or is he at home? or is he in the country?

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FOOTNOTES:

• F5: In Pirke Eliezer, c. 36. fol. 39. 1. 2.