23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
23 Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside."
23 And Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, 'Put it aside.'"
23 Then Samuel directed the chef, "Bring the choice cut I pointed out to you, the one I told you to reserve."
23 And Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, 'Set it apart.' "
23 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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:23
Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:18-27
(Read 1 Samuel 9:18-27)
Samuel, that good prophet, was so far from envying Saul, or bearing him any ill-will, that he was the first and most forward to do him honour. Both that evening and early the next morning, Samuel communed with Saul upon the flat roof of the house. We may suppose Samuel now convinced Saul that he was the person God had fixed upon for the government, and of his own willingness to resign. How different are the purposes of the Lord for us, from our intentions for ourselves! Perhaps Saul was the only one who ever went out to seek asses, and literally found a kingdom; but many have set out and moved their dwellings to seek riches and pleasures, who have been guided to places where they found salvation for their souls. Thus they have met with those who addressed them as if aware of the secrets of their lives and hearts, and have been led seriously to regard the word of the Lord. If this has been our case, though our worldly plans have not prospered, let us not care for that; the Lord has given us, or has prepared us for, what is far better.