Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons.
Samuel wore no robes, no retinue, no badge of office; he looked like a porter, not a prophet, so Saul never guessed who he was. Yet great worth hides often under mean appearance. Samuel knew his man before his man knew Samuel; so it is with all whom God calls to glory, He knows them first.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Samuel 9:18-27
And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour,.... The dining room of the house, which belonged to the high place: and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden; and who very probably were the principal persons in the city; and yet Saul was placed at the head of them by Samuel, to convince him that...
Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour--The toil-worn but noble-looking traveller found himself suddenly seated among the principal men of the place and treated as the most distinguished guest.