Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 9:12

12 And they answered them, and said, He is: behold, he is before you, make haste now: for he came to day to the city ; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place .

She so speaks, though this was his own constant habitation, because he had been travelling abroad, possibly in his Circuit, described 1 Sam. 7. 16, 17. and was now returned to his own House in Ramah, as he used to do, and so she implies they come in a good and seasonable time to meet with him.

Otherwise, Feast: but it seems to be understood of a Sacrifice. First, Because so the Hebrew word signifies most properly, and most frequently. Secondly, Because this Eating was in the High place, which was the common place for Sacrifices, but not for private Feasts. Thirdly, The Prophets presence was not so necessary for a Feast, as for a Sacrifice.

So this Sacrifice is called, because this was a publick Solemnity, and possibly the New Moon, when the People brought several Sacrifices; to wit, Peace-offerings, whereof part fell to the Offerer's share; and of these parts united together, they here made a common Feast; not without Samuel's direction, who being forewarned the day before, by God, of Saul's coming, made this Feast more Solemn for his entertainment, v. 22, 23, 24.

Upon the Hill mentioned v. 11. and near the Altar which Samuel built for this kind of use, 1 Sam. 7. 17. by Divine Dispensation, as was there Noted. Otherwise to Sacrifice in High places was forbidden by the Law, after the Building of the Tabernacle.

Marginal references: Or, feast.