And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. (1 Samuel 9:24)
The feast to which Saul had been invited was evidently a sacrifice of peace offerings in which the elders of Ramah took part (see Vol. I, p. 700, and on Lev. 3:1). Such sacrifices were made by the children of Israel at Sinai when they ratified the covenant (Ex. 24:4-8). At this sacrifice the breast and the right “shoulder” (or thigh) belonged to the officiating priest (Lev. 7:33, 34). The flesh of the sacrifice must be eaten the day it was slain; none could be left over (Lev. 7:16). Whether the “shoulder” presented to Saul was the left, of which the laity might eat, or the right, which belonged to the priest, is not mentioned. But it was the portion reserved for Saul as the guest of honor.
Samuel said.
Though the word “Samuel” is not in the Hebrew, he was apparently the speaker. It was obvious to Saul that his coming had been foreseen and carefully planned for, and he must have been convinced of God’s invitation to assume the responsibilities of leadership.