1 Samuel 10:2

Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah In Genesis 35:16-20; Genesis 48:7, Rachel's grave is described as on the road from Bethel to Ephrath which is Bethlehem, a little way from Ephrath. This agrees with the site now marked by a tomb called Kubbet Rahil(dome of Rachel) a mile N. of Bethlehem. But if this is the true site of Rachel's sepulchre, it is not easy to reconcile it with the notice here. (a) It is at least 4 miles S. of the southern border of Benjamin. (b) Supposing "the city" to be Ramah (see note on 1 Samuel 9:4-5), it is hard to see why Saul should be sent so far out of his way home. Various attempts have been made to explain the difficulty. (1) Thenius thinks that the Ephrathmentioned in Genesis was not Bethlehem, but a town in the neighbourhood of Ramah and Gibeah, so that Rachel's sepulchre would be on the northernfrontier of Benjamin. This involves rejecting (a) the statement in Genesis that Ephrath was Bethlehem, as a mistaken gloss, (b) the modern site of the tomb. (2) Keil supposes that the city from which Saul started was not Ramah, but some unknown city in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem. But the general impression given by the whole chapter is that the city was the seer's usual residence. (3) The most plausible explanation seems to be that Samuel purposely sent Saul out of his way in order that he might meet the two men; and that the expressions " near Rachel's sepulchre" and "in the border of Benjamin" must be understood as applied to Zelzah, which lay between the two, with considerable latitude.

In our uncertainty as to the exact sites, the true solution must remain uncertain.

at Zelzah This place is mentioned nowhere else and cannot be identified. The Sept. does not regard it as a proper name, but translates it "two men leaping vigorously." The Vulg. renders "in the south."

and sorroweth And is anxious, the same word as in 1 Samuel 9:5.