And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.
God raises the poor from dust to set them among princes, not by chance or human planning but by His own counsel. Saul steps into the throne from nothing, yet we find him first in the humblest errand, seeking his father's lost asses. His ready obedience to his father in this small thing is commendable, and it shows us that those entrusted with much should know the state of their possessions, and children should serve their parents' interests faithfully.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Samuel 9:3-10
A quarter shekel of silver, about seven pence halfpenny, was all the servant could offer the man of God. Both Saul and his servant must have held a mean opinion of prophets if they thought so great a man as Samuel would take money for directing them to lost asses, yet it appears such things were done to keep the people from running to diviners and soothsayers.
AI summary
the fourth part of a shekel of silver--rather more than sixpence. Contrary to our Western notions, money is in the East the most acceptable form in which a present can be made to a man of rank.