1 Samuel 9:4

2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

3 And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.

5 And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.

6 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them.
KJV
And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.
WEB
He passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they weren’t there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them.
ASV
And he passed through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.
DARBY
And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they found [them] not; and they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there; and they passed through the land of Benjamin, and they found [them] not.
BLB
And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and through the land of Shalisha, and they did not find [them]. And they passed through the land of Shaalim and [they were] not there. And he passed through the land of the Benjamite, and they did not find [them].
ÅB
Så gikk han over Efra'im-fjellet og gjennom Salisa-bygden, men de fant dem ikke; så gikk de gjennom Sa'alim-bygden, men der var de ikke; deretter gikk han gjennom Benjamins land, men de fant dem ikke der heller.
OTB
Han gikk gjennom fjellandet Efraim og gjennom landet Salisa, men de fant dem ikke. Så gikk de gjennom landet Sa'alim, og de var ikke der. Han gikk også gjennom Benjamins område, men de fant dem ikke.
B1930
Så gikk han over Efra'im-fjellet og gjennem Salisa-bygden, men de fant dem ikke; så gikk de gjennem Sa'alim-bygden, men der var de ikke; derefter gikk han gjennem Benjamins land, men de fant dem ikke der heller.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Kings 4:42

    And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.

    Read in context
  • Joshua 24:33

    And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 33:18

    And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan-aram; and pitched his tent before the city.

    Read in context
  • Judges 17:1

    And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah.

    Read in context
  • Judges 19:1

    And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Beth-lehem-judah.

    Read in context
  • John 3:23

    And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

    Read in context