1 Samuel 9:25-26
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Even though Samuel had just privately anointed Saul, the narrative immediately grounds us by showing Saul’s ordinary return home, sleeping on a rooftop bed just like anyone else. This shows us how God’s extraordinary plans can unfold within the most common, everyday moments of our lives. It’s a beautiful reminder that even kings start out just being people doing regular things.
And when they came down from the high place into the city, a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep. 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Saul has just been anointed king by Samuel, a secret that is about to become public knowledge. After an intimate meal and a private conversation with Samuel, Saul is sent away from the prophet's hometown, likely to prevent the news of his anointing from spreading too quickly. This verse simply describes Saul settling down for the night, unaware of the massive shift in his destiny that has just occurred.
Why would a king-to-be be sleeping on a rooftop? This wasn't just a spare bedroom; it was a space with deep cultural and spiritual significance.
In ancient Israel, rooftops were versatile spaces. They were often cooler than ground-level rooms, making them ideal for sleeping on warm nights.
A Place for Prayer and Quiet
Beyond comfort, rooftops offered privacy and a connection to the sky, making them places for contemplation, prayer, and sometimes, even divine encounters. It's here, in this open yet secluded space, that Saul is given a respite before the weight of his destiny begins to dawn on him.
Saul was looking for his father's donkeys, not a crown. This verse captures the unexpected nature of God's calling.
The story of Saul is a powerful reminder that God often chooses the unlikely for His purposes. Saul wasn't seeking power or recognition; he was engaged in a mundane task.
God's Choice vs. Human Expectation
This moment on the rooftop, a simple act of resting after a long day, stands in stark contrast to the monumental future God had planned for him. It shows that God's ways are not our ways, and His calling often catches us off guard, even in the midst of ordinary life.
Understand the original words
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bamah · Hebrew Noun
A local center of worship in Israel, often located on elevated ground, where sacrifices were offered to the Lord before the centralization of worship in Jerusalem. While often associated with pagan practices, "high places" were also used by the faithful for sacrifices to Yahweh during this period.
Shemuel · Hebrew Proper Noun
A prophetic office and the final judge of Israel. Samuel served as God's representative, mediator, and anointer of Israel's first kings, characterized by his faithful obedience to God's voice.
Shaul · Hebrew Proper Noun
The first king of Israel. His life represents the transition from the era of judges to the monarchy, illustrating the interplay between human leadership and divine sovereignty.
This moment occurs during the critical transition from tribal judges to monarchy, highlighting God's direct involvement in selecting and preparing Saul, even before his public coronation.
c. 1080 BC
Eli's Priestly Rule
The Philistines had defeated Israel and captured the Ark of the Covenant, a significant blow to Israel's spiritual and national identity.
c. 1050 BC
Samuel's Ministry
Samuel, the last of the great judges, served as a prophet, priest, and judge, leading Israel in a time of spiritual decline and external oppression.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Chosen as King
God directed Samuel to anoint Saul of Benjamin as Israel's first king, a move initiated by the people's demand and God's sovereign choice.
c. 1050 BC— this verse
Encounter with Samuel
Saul, seeking his lost donkeys, was guided by God to meet Samuel, who then revealed God's plan for Saul to be king.
c. 1050 BC
Saul's Anointing and Feast
After a private anointing, Samuel hosted Saul at a feast, ensuring Saul was honored and prepared for his new role.
c. 1050 BC
Saul's Return to Gibeah
Saul departed Mizpah after his encounter with Samuel, returning to his hometown, while the nation awaited further developments.
This passage also describes someone, King David, walking on the roof of the royal palace, highlighting how rooftops were often private, elevated spaces used for rest or contemplation in ancient times.
Matthew 10:27Jesus speaks about proclaiming things from the housetops, showing that this part of the home was a visible and often public-facing area, contrasting with Saul's private rest here.
Acts 10:9Peter goes up to the housetop to pray, illustrating another use of the rooftop as a place for spiritual reflection and encounter with God, a very different activity from Saul's sleep.
Jeremiah 19:13This verse describes altars built on all the rooftops in Jerusalem, showing that rooftops could also be places of idolatrous worship, a stark contrast to the humble, private sleep of Saul.
Even though Samuel had just privately anointed Saul, the narrative immediately grounds us by showing Saul’s ordinary return home, sleeping on a rooftop bed just like anyone else. This shows us how God’s extraordinary plans can unfold within the most common, everyday moments of our lives. It’s a beautiful reminder that even kings start out just being people doing regular things.
Saul has just been anointed king by Samuel, a secret that is about to become public knowledge. After an intimate meal and a private conversation with Samuel, Saul is sent away from the prophet's hometown, likely to prevent the news of his anointing from spreading too quickly. This verse simply describes Saul settling down for the night, unaware of the massive shift in his destiny that has just occurred.
Saul has just been anointed king by Samuel, a secret that is about to become public knowledge. After an intimate meal and a private conversation with Samuel, Saul is sent away from the prophet's hometown, likely to prevent the news of his anointing from spreading too quickly. This verse simply describes Saul settling down for the night, unaware of the massive shift in his destiny that has just occurred.
"And when they came down from the high place into the city, a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep. 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,…" — Even though Samuel had just privately anointed Saul, the narrative immediately grounds us by showing Saul’s ordinary return home, sleeping on a rooftop bed just like anyone else. This shows us how Go…
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Last reviewed October 2026
