1 Samuel 9:24

And the cook took up the shoulder Rather, And the cook heaved the leg. The right leg was the priest's portion (Leviticus 7:32), which Samuel had received. Its dedication to God was indicated by a solemn "heaving" or elevation "before the Lord," to which allusion is here made. Cp. Numbers 18:26 ff. The reservation of the leg for Saul was a mark of honour. Josephus calls it "a royal portion."

And[Samuel said The E. V. fellows the Sept. and Vulg. in supplying Samuelwhich is not in the Heb. But the words may possibly be the cook's. See below.

Behold that which is left, &c. Or, Behold that which was reserved is set before thee, eat.

for unto this time, &c. The Heb. text cannot be thus translated and is most likely corrupt, but the sense intended appears to be "For against the set time hath it been kept for thee of which I said, I have invited the people:" or, if the words are the cook's, "of which Samuel said." In either case the point is that Saul's arrival was expected and provision made for it beforehand.

The Sept. renders "Because for a testimony (this is a common mistranslation of the word meaning "set time") hath it been reserved for thee apart from the rest; cut it up." The Vulg. "Because it was kept on purpose for thee when I invited the people."