Then at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Up, that I may send you on your way.” So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street.
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 they arose early,.... Neither of them being able to sleep, as Abarbinel supposes; not Samuel for thinking what he was to do the next morning, anoint Saul king over Israel; nor Saul for what Samuel had hinted to him about the desire of all Israel being upon him, and for the honour done him at the feast, and because of the conversation they had...
And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. (p) To speak with him secretly: for the houses were flat above.