Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them. New Living Translation So Saul took one of the servants and traveled through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, the Shaalim area, and the entire land of Benjamin, but they couldn’t find the donkeys anywhere. English Standard Version And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them. Berean Standard Bible So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them. King James Bible And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. New King James Version So he passed through the mountains of Ephraim and through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. New American Standard Bible So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjaminites, but they did not find them. NASB 1995 He passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. NASB 1977 And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. Legacy Standard Bible Thus he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. Amplified Bible And they passed through the hill country of Ephraim and the land of Shalishah, but did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there and the land of the Benjamites, but they [still] did not find them. Christian Standard Bible Saul and his servant went through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the region of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them. They went through the region of Shaalim —nothing. Then they went through the Benjaminite region but still didn’t find them. Holman Christian Standard Bible Saul and his attendant went through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the region of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them. They went through the region of Shaalim—nothing. Then they went through the Benjaminite region but still didn’t find them. American Standard Version And he passed through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. Contemporary English Version Saul and the servant went through the hill country of Ephraim and the territory of Shalishah, but they could not find the donkeys. Then they went through the territories of Shaalim and Benjamin, but still there was no sign of the donkeys. English Revised Version And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. GOD'S WORD® Translation They went through the mountains of Ephraim and the region of Shalisha without finding the donkeys. Then Saul and his servant went through the region of Shaalim, but the donkeys weren't there. The men went through the territory of Benjamin but [still] didn't find them. Good News Translation They went through the hill country of Ephraim and the region of Shalishah, but did not find them; so they went on through the region of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then they went through the territory of Benjamin, but still did not find them. International Standard Version He went through the hill country of Ephraim and through the region of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. They also went through the territory of the descendants of Benjamin, but they did not find them. Majority Standard Bible So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them. NET Bible So Saul crossed through the hill country of Ephraim, passing through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. So they crossed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he crossed through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them. New Heart English Bible He passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they weren't there. Then he passed through the land of the Jaminites, but they did not find them. Webster's Bible Translation And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjaminites, but they found them not. World English Bible He passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they weren’t there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he passes over through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passes over through the land of Shalisha, and they have not found [them]; and they pass over through the land of Shaalim, and they are not; and he passes over through the land of Benjamin, and they have not found [them]. Young's Literal Translation And he passeth over through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passeth over through the land of Shalisha, and they have not found; and they pass over through the land of Shaalim, and they are not; and he passeth over through the land of Benjamin, and they have not found. Smith's Literal Translation And he will pass over in mount Ephraim, and he will pass over into the land of Shalisha, and they found not: and they will pass over into the land of Shalim, and not there: and he will pass over into the land of the Jaminite, and they found not. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd through the land of Salisa, and had not found them, they passed also through the land of Salim, and they were not there: and through the land of Jemini, and found them not. Catholic Public Domain Version and through the land of Shalishah, and had not found them, they crossed also through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there, and through the land of Benjamin, and they found nothing. New American Bible So they went through the hill country of Ephraim, and through the land of Shalishah. Not finding them there, they continued through the land of Shaalim without success. They also went through the land of Benjamin, but they failed to find the animals. New Revised Standard Version He passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of Benjamin, but they did not find them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they passed through mount Ephraim and through the land of Gomrey, but they did not find them; then they passed through the land of Taley, and they were not there; and they passed through the land of Benjamin, but they did not find them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he passed by in the mountain of Aphreim, and he passed by in the Land of Burning Coals and he did not find them, and he passed by in the Land of Foxes and there was nothing, and he passed by in the land of Benyamin and he did not find them OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he passed through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they found them not; then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they were not; and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. Brenton Septuagint Translation And they went through mount Ephraim, and they went through the land of Selcha, and found them not: and they passed through the land of Segalim, and they were not there: and they passed through the land of Jamin, and found them not. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Saul Chosen as King…3One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants and go look for the donkeys.” 4So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them. 5When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Come, let us go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”… Cross References Genesis 37:15-17 a man found him wandering in the field and asked, “What are you looking for?” / “I am looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Can you please tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?” / “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Numbers 22:22-23 Then God’s anger was kindled because Balaam was going along, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him. / When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the path and went into a field. So Balaam beat her to return her to the path. Judges 6:3-4 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them, / encamping against them as far as Gaza and destroying the produce of the land. They left Israel with no sustenance, neither sheep nor oxen nor donkeys. 2 Kings 4:8-10 One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat. / Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. / Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.” 2 Kings 6:13-14 So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” / the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city. Luke 15:4-6 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ Matthew 18:12-14 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. John 10:11-16 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. ... Acts 9:3-6 As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. / He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” / “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. ... Acts 13:6-12 They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. ... Genesis 24:10-14 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim. / As evening approached, he made the camels kneel down near the well outside the town at the time when the women went out to draw water. / “O LORD, God of my master Abraham,” he prayed, “please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. ... Genesis 28:5-7 So Isaac sent Jacob to Paddan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau. / Now Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to take a wife there, commanding him, “Do not marry a Canaanite woman,” / and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and gone to Paddan-aram. Genesis 31:22-24 On the third day Laban was informed that Jacob had fled. / So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. / But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” Genesis 32:6-8 When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you—he and four hundred men with him.” / In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels. / He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one camp, then the other camp can escape.” Genesis 37:12-14 Some time later, Joseph’s brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks near Shechem. / Israel said to him, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flocks at Shechem? Get ready; I am sending you to them.” “I am ready,” Joseph replied. / Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem, Treasury of Scripture And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. mount Judges 17:1 And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah. Judges 19:1 And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah. Shalisha 2 Kings 4:42 And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. Shalim Genesis 33:18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. Jump to Previous Area Benjamin Benjaminites Benjamites Country District Donkeys Ephraim E'phraim Hill Hill-Country Mount Passed Passeth Shalishah Sign Territory Weren'tJump to Next Area Benjamin Benjaminites Benjamites Country District Donkeys Ephraim E'phraim Hill Hill-Country Mount Passed Passeth Shalishah Sign Territory Weren't1 Samuel 9 1. Saul despairing to find his father's donkeys6. by the counsel of his servant 11. and direction of young maidens 15. according to God's revelation 18. comes to Samuel 19. Samuel entertains Saul at the feast 25. Samuel, after secret communication, brings Saul on his way So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim The hill country of Ephraim was a central region in Israel, known for its rugged terrain and significant biblical history. Ephraim was one of the tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's son Ephraim. This area was often associated with leadership and strength, as seen in Judges 4:5, where Deborah judged Israel under a palm tree in Ephraim. Saul's journey through this region signifies his connection to Israel's tribal heritage and foreshadows his future role as king. and then through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who would later become the first king of Israel. At this point, he is on a mission to find his father's lost donkeys. 2. Hill Country of Ephraim A region in the central part of Israel, known for its rugged terrain and significant historical and religious importance. 3. Land of Shalishah A location mentioned in the context of Saul's search, though its exact historical location is uncertain. 4. Region of Shaalim Another area Saul traverses in his search, also of uncertain historical location. 5. Land of Benjamin The tribal territory of Saul's own tribe, Benjamin, located in the central part of Israel. Teaching Points Divine Providence in the MundaneEven in seemingly trivial tasks, such as searching for lost donkeys, God is at work, orchestrating events for His purposes. Obedience and Faithfulness Saul's commitment to his father's request demonstrates obedience and faithfulness, qualities that are essential for leadership and service in God's kingdom. God's Guidance in Our Journeys Just as Saul's journey was directed by God, we can trust that God guides our paths, even when the destination is unclear. Preparation for Greater Roles Saul's search for the donkeys was a precursor to his anointing as king, illustrating how God often uses small tasks to prepare us for greater responsibilities. Trust in God's Timing The delay and detours in Saul's journey remind us to trust in God's timing and plan, even when our own plans seem to falter.(4) And he passed through mount Ephraim. The chain of the mountains of Ephraim ran southward into the territory of Benjamin, where were situated the patrimonial possessions of Saul's house. And passed through the land of Shalisha.--Or land "of the Three;" so called because three valleys there united in one, or one divided into three. It is believed to be the region in which Baal-shalisha lay (2Kings 4:42), fifteen miles north of Diospolis, or Lydda. The land of Shalim.--Probably a very deep valley, derived from a Hebrew word, signifying "the hollow of the hand." Verse 4. - Mount Ephraim. Though Gibeah, Saul's home, was in Benjamin, it was situated on this long mountain range (1 Samuel 1:1). The land of Shalisha. I.e. Three-land, and probably, therefore, the region round Baal-shalisha. It takes its name from the three valleys which there converge in the great Wady Kurawa, The land of Shalim. I.e. of jackals; probably the same as the land of Shual, also = jackal-land (1 Samuel 13:17). The very name shows that it was a wild, uninhabited region. The derivation hollow-land is untenable.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So [Saul] passedוַיַּעֲבֹ֧ר (way·ya·‘ă·ḇōr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on through the hill country בְּהַר־ (bə·har-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country of Ephraim אֶפְרַ֛יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory and then through the land בְּאֶֽרֶץ־ (bə·’e·reṣ-) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 776: Earth, land of Shalishah, שָׁלִ֖שָׁה (šā·li·šāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 8031: Shalishah -- an area of Israel searched by Saul but did not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no find [the donkeys]. מָצָ֑אוּ (mā·ṣā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present [He and the servant] went וַיַּעֲבֹ֥ר (way·ya·‘ă·ḇōr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on through the region בְאֶֽרֶץ־ (ḇə·’e·reṣ-) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 776: Earth, land of Shaalim, שַׁעֲלִים֙ (ša·‘ă·lîm) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 8171: Shaalim -- an area searched by Saul but [they were] not [there]. וָאַ֔יִן (wā·’a·yin) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle Then they went וַיַּעַבְר֤וּ (way·ya·‘aḇ·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on through the land בְּאֶֽרֶץ־ (bə·’e·reṣ-) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 776: Earth, land of Benjamin, יְמִינִ֖י (yə·mî·nî) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3227: On the right hand and still they did not וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no find them. מָצָֽאוּ׃ (mā·ṣā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present Links 1 Samuel 9:4 NIV1 Samuel 9:4 NLT 1 Samuel 9:4 ESV 1 Samuel 9:4 NASB 1 Samuel 9:4 KJV 1 Samuel 9:4 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 9:4 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 9:4 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 9:4 French Bible 1 Samuel 9:4 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 9:4 He passed through the hill country (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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