The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 9:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The servant answered Saul again, and said: Behold there is found in my hand the fourth part of a sicle of silver, let us give it to the man of God, that he may tell us our way.

Douay-Rheims

וַיֹּ֤סֶף הַנַּ֙עַר֙ לַעֲנ֣וֹת אֶת־שָׁא֔וּל וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּה֙ נִמְצָ֣א בְיָדִ֔י רֶ֖בַע שֶׁ֣קֶל כָּ֑סֶף וְנָֽתַתִּי֙ לְאִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וְהִגִּ֥יד לָ֖נוּ אֶת־דַּרְכֵּֽנוּ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 3 commentaries

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

When Saul intended to seek Samuel's counsel, he mentioned to his servant that he lacked an offering to present for the prophecy. The servant replied, “Look, I have a quarter of a shekel of silver with me; I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.” However, it is noteworthy that the Scriptures do not indicate that Samuel accepted the money or that they even offered it to him. Instead, the prophet treated them with kindness and invited them to a meal. Should it be accepted that he did take the money, it is more plausible to view it as a gesture of hospitality rather than a payment for prophecy. A shekel consists of twenty obols, making a quarter of a shekel merely five obols.

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In the same vein, if our current priests wish to monetize prophecy and sell offerings from their platforms, akin to the way the Lord expelled the merchants with a whip, let them accept five obols rather than fees comparable to the value of entire villages.

Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)

19th centuryChurch Father

Genuine selflessness is a matter of the spirit. Just as external selflessness is not authentic if it lacks internal selflessness, internal selflessness can still be genuinely present even in the absence of external expressions. Samuel demonstrated complete selflessness both before God and among the Jewish people. He declared, “The Lord is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day, that you have found nothing in my hand.” The people responded, “Witness” (1 Sam. 12:5). This acknowledgment did not prevent him from being undeterred by Saul's reluctance to approach him until there was a ‘fourth part of a shekel of silver’ to ‘offer’ to this ‘man of God,’ particularly when it was essential to seek his guidance as a prophet.

It is essential to draw a clear line between genuine Christian selflessness and superficial, worldly, or external notions of altruism. A judge who refrains from accepting bribes or gifts in the pursuit of justice may be seen as selfless, yet this perception could be misleading. If such a judge acts selflessly merely to gain recognition or rewards from worldly authorities, then his altruism is only skin-deep, visible to others but not reflective of his true intentions before God. In this case, the desire for self-admiration becomes the currency he uses to pay for his external selflessness, while the anticipation of reward serves as collateral for his so-called generosity.

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Since authentic selflessness is a matter of the heart, true external selflessness must align with sincere internal intentions. Conversely, internal selflessness, although potentially genuine, does not necessarily invalidate itself even if it lacks outward manifestations of chastity. Samuel demonstrated his complete integrity before God and the people of Israel when he proclaimed, "The Lord is witness against you, and His Anointed is witness this day that you have found nothing in my hand" (1 Sam. 12:5). In moments when he was called upon to account as a prophet, he stood unmoved. Therefore, a Christian can consistently manifest spiritual selflessness irrespective of their external situations or worldly connections. A judge exemplifies Christian selflessness when he eschews self-serving pursuits for glory or honors, conducting his duties rooted in love for truth and compassion for others, always mindful of the divine judgment (Deut. 1:17).

An instructor embodies selflessness by focusing solely on the growth and benefit of the student, seeking neither gratitude nor recognition, aiming purely for their salvation. Similarly, a student exercises selflessness by eagerly engaging in acts of obedience not for personal gain or recognition, but in adherence to the commands and example of Christ, who "was obedient even unto death, the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:8). A property owner can also exhibit selflessness by choosing not to increase his wealth to the detriment of his workers. Likewise, a merchant is selfless when he is satisfied with modest profits, prioritizing the well-being of others over mere monetary gain, or when he opts to engage in trades that are useful rather than those that serve only selfish desires and vices. Furthermore, even a worker can demonstrate selflessness by earning only what is necessary to support his family, resisting the temptation of hoarding wealth or seeking luxury. However, one must remain vigilant against self-serving motives even when giving to others.