1 Samuel 9:23
New International Version
Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.”

New Living Translation
Samuel then instructed the cook to bring Saul the finest cut of meat, the piece that had been set aside for the guest of honor.

English Standard Version
And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Put it aside.’”

Berean Standard Bible
And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.”

King James Bible
And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

New King James Version
And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it apart.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
And Samuel said to the cook, “Serve the portion that I gave you about which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.’”

NASB 1995
Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.’”

NASB 1977
And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.’”

Amplified Bible
Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the [priests’] portion that I gave you, regarding which I told you, ‘Set it aside.’”

Christian Standard Bible
Then Samuel said to the cook, “Get the portion of meat that I gave you and told you to set aside.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Samuel said to the cook, “Get the portion of meat that I gave you and told you to set aside.”

American Standard Version
And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

English Revised Version
And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Samuel said to the cook, "Bring me the portion of the sacrificial meat that I gave you and told you to put aside."

Good News Translation
Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you, which I told you to set aside."

International Standard Version
Then Samuel told the cook, "Bring the portion that I gave you, the one I told you to set aside."

Majority Standard Bible
And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.”

NET Bible
Samuel said to the cook, "Give me the portion of meat that I gave to you--the one I asked you to keep with you."

New Heart English Bible
And Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I told you to set aside."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Samuel said to the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said to thee, Set it by thee.

World English Bible
Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Samuel says to the cook, “Give the portion which I gave to you, of which I said to you, Set it by you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Samuel saith to the cook, 'Give the portion which I gave to thee, of which I said unto thee, 'Set it by thee?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Samuel will say to the cook, Thou shalt give the portion which I gave to thee, which I said to thee, Put it with thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Samuel said to the cook: Bring the portion, which I gave thee, and commanded thee to set it apart by thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Samuel said to the cook, “Present the portion that I gave to you, and which I instructed you to set apart beside you.”

New American Bible
He said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you and told you to put aside.”

New Revised Standard Version
And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, the one I asked you to put aside.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Samuel said to the cook, Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, Set it apart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shemueil said to the Cook: “Give the portion that I gave to you and I said to you, ‘Set it with yourself’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Samuel said unto the cook: 'Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee: Set it by thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Samuel said to the cook, Give me the portion which I gave thee, which I told thee to set by thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Chosen as King
22Then Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited—about thirty in all. 23And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.” 24So the cook picked up the leg and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, “Here is what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat, for it has been kept for you for this occasion, from the time I said, ‘I have invited the people.’ ” So Saul dined with Samuel that day.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:11-13
And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” / So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 10:1
Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?

1 Kings 19:19-21
So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. / So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.

2 Kings 4:42-44
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

Genesis 18:6-8
So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.” / Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd, selected a tender and choice calf, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. / Then Abraham brought curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and he set them before the men and stood by them under the tree as they ate.

Exodus 29:22-28
Take the fat from the ram, the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh (since this is a ram for ordination), / along with one loaf of bread, one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer from the basket of unleavened bread that is before the LORD. / Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and wave them before the LORD as a wave offering. ...

Leviticus 7:31-34
The priest is to burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons. / And you are to give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from your peace offering. / The son of Aaron who presents the blood and fat of the peace offering shall have the right thigh as a portion. ...

Numbers 18:8-11
Then the LORD said to Aaron, “Behold, I have put you in charge of My offerings. As for all the sacred offerings of the Israelites, I have given them to you and your sons as a portion and a permanent statute. / A portion of the most holy offerings reserved from the fire will be yours. From all the offerings they render to Me as most holy offerings, whether grain offerings or sin offerings or guilt offerings, that part belongs to you and your sons. / You are to eat it as a most holy offering, and every male may eat it. You shall regard it as holy. ...

Deuteronomy 18:3-5
This shall be the priests’ share from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether a bull or a sheep: the priests are to be given the shoulder, the jowls, and the stomach. / You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first wool sheared from your flock. / For the LORD your God has chosen Levi and his sons out of all your tribes to stand and minister in His name for all time.

1 Chronicles 12:39-40
They spent three days there eating and drinking with David, for their relatives had provided for them. / And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.

2 Chronicles 35:13-14
They roasted the Passover animals on the fire according to the regulation, and they boiled the other holy offerings in pots, kettles, and bowls and quickly brought them to all the people. / Afterward, they made preparations for themselves and for the priests, since the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were offering up burnt offerings and fat until nightfall. So the Levites made preparations for themselves and for the priests, the descendants of Aaron.

Matthew 22:4
Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

Luke 14:16-17
But Jesus replied, “A certain man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. / When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

John 6:11-13
Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. / And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” / So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Acts 10:9-16
The next day at about the sixth hour, as the men were approaching the city on their journey, Peter went up on the roof to pray. / He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. / He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Samuel said to the cook, Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, Set it by you.

Bring

1 Samuel 1:5
But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

Genesis 43:34
And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

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1 Samuel 9
1. Saul despairing to find his father's donkeys
6. 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














And Samuel said
The phrase begins with the prophet Samuel, a pivotal figure in Israel's history. Samuel was the last of the judges and the first of the prophets after Moses, serving as a bridge between the period of the judges and the establishment of the monarchy. His role as a prophet is significant, as he is God's mouthpiece, guiding Israel according to divine will. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) implies not just speaking but conveying a message with authority and purpose, underscoring Samuel's role as a divinely appointed leader.

to the cook
The cook here is a servant responsible for preparing the meal, which in this context is a sacrificial feast. In ancient Israel, meals were often communal and had religious significance, especially when associated with sacrifices. The cook's role is crucial as he handles the sacred portions of the meal, indicating the importance of proper ritual and order in worship. This highlights the communal and sacred nature of meals in Israelite culture, where food is not just sustenance but a means of fellowship and worship.

Bring the portion
The "portion" refers to a specific part of the sacrificial meal set aside for a particular purpose or person. In Hebrew, the word for portion (מָנָה, manah) can also mean a share or allotment, often with a sense of divine provision or blessing. This reflects the idea that God provides for His people, and certain portions are designated for specific individuals, symbolizing honor and divine favor.

I gave you
This phrase indicates that Samuel had previously instructed the cook to set aside a specific portion. It suggests forethought and intentionality, as Samuel, guided by God, prepares for Saul's anointing as king. The act of giving here is not just a physical transaction but a symbolic act of setting apart something for a divine purpose, reflecting God's sovereignty and providence in orchestrating events.

and told you to set aside
The instruction to "set aside" implies consecration or sanctification. In Hebrew, the concept of setting something apart (קָדַשׁ, qadash) is often associated with holiness and dedication to God. This act signifies that the portion is not ordinary but has been reserved for a special purpose, in this case, to honor Saul as the chosen king of Israel. It underscores the theme of divine election and preparation, as God sets apart individuals and events for His purposes.

(23) And Samuel said unto the cook.--The meaning of this statement is simply this--all that took place in the meeting of the prophet and Saul at the sacrificial feast, and subsequently in Samuel's house, was arranged for beforehand; every event was foreseen and provided for, even the trivial details--all was symbolical 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 no chance piece, but one which, owing, no doubt, to its being considered the choicest, had been carefully set aside for him when the sacrificial feast was being prepared.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Samuel
שְׁמוּאֵל֙ (šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to the cook,
לַטַּבָּ֔ח (laṭ·ṭab·bāḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2876: A butcher, a lifeguardsman, a cook

“Bring
תְּנָה֙ (tə·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the portion
הַמָּנָ֔ה (ham·mā·nāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4490: Something weighed out, a division, a ration, a lot

I gave
נָתַ֖תִּי (nā·ṯat·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you
לָ֑ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and told
אָמַ֣רְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

you to set
שִׂ֥ים (śîm)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

aside.”
עִמָּֽךְ׃ (‘im·māḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


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OT History: 1 Samuel 9:23 Samuel said to the cook Bring (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 9:22
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