Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 9:16

16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines : for I have looked upon my people , because their cry is come unto me.

I will by my secret Providence so dispose of matters, and of the Hearts of Saul and his Father, that Saul shall come to thee, though with another Design.

For though they were now most pressed with the Ammonites, as we read chap. 12. 12. yet they looked upon these as a Land-Flood, which th[illegible: 1+ letters] hoped would be soon up, and soon down again: but the Philistines, their constant, inveterate, and nearest Enemies, they most dreaded. And from these Saul did in some measure save them, and should have saved them much more, if his and the Peoples manifold Sins had not hindred it.

To wit, with Compassion and Resolution to help them. An usual Synecdoche.

i. e. Their earnest Prayers to me for help.