Rashi on the Former Prophets

To the land of Tzuph. [Targum renders] 'into the land wherein there was a prophet.'
Tzuph. [צוּף] meaning a seer.
Lest my father stop worrying about the donkeys. Because his worry about us will grow so that he will forget the donkeys.
And worry. E dubitera in O.F.

Our road. The story about the donkeys, i.e., what has become of them, for whom we have gone all this way.

What shall we bring to the man. Targum Yonoson renders, 'If he accepts money, what shall we bring to the man?' Shaul was not familiar with Shmuel's habits and thought that he would ask for remuneration.
And [we have no] gift. Targum Yonoson renders, 'and there is nothing proper.' This is an expression of יוֹשֶׁר [=propriety]. Menachem, however, explains תְּשׁוּרָה as an expression of a tribute for the privilege of seeing a king or an important person; [תְּשׁוּרָה being] an expression related to אֲשׁוּרֶנּוּ [meaning] 'I behold them,' and I agree with his explanation.

A quarter shekel. One zuz of silver.

In former times in Yisroel. The author wrote this verse, i.e., this is not part of the youth of Shaul's statement.
For the "prophet" of today. The one who is called 'prophet' today was formerly called 'seer.'

As you enter the city you… They prolonged their conversation in order to gaze upon Shaul's handsomeness.
The high place. Targum Yonoson renders, 'to the banquet hall.' When Shiloh was destroyed, it became permissible [to offer sacrifices on] the high places, and they would sacrifice peace-offerings on the high place and eat together.
Because he blesses the offering. Targum Yonoson renders, אֲרֵי הוּא פָּרִיס עַל מְזוֹנָא meaning, 'for he will break bread.' [Before] partaking of the peace-offering they recited: 'Blessed are You Adonoy, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to eat the sacrifice."
As [surely as it is] day. Just as the day exists.

Will rule over My people. Will restrain [=will rule], similar to 'restrained [עָצוּר] and let free.' This is the function of the ruler, to restrain the people during war, that they not scatter or spread out one from another, and to restrain each one from doing evil. In our language, we call מַעֲצוֹרdestenir, in O.F.

Approached. Targum Yonoson renders, 'met.'

But for whom does all of Yisroel desire? Here he [Shmuel] hints to him the matter of the kingship.

At the head of the invited guests. In the place where the important people are seated; by the manner of the seating, it was obvious in which place the most important person was seated.

About which I told you. Because Shmuel knew that Shaul would come, he ordered to give him a fine portion for his benefit.

The thigh with what was attached to it. The thigh and the hip above it.
Here is what remains. From the portions of the invited guests, and has been set aside for you.
Put before you and eat. In the final chapter of [Maseches] Zevochim, it is established that [the waving of] the breast and thigh is [performed] in a large [i.e., public] high place, [but the waving of] the breast and thigh is not [performed] in a small [i.e., private] high place. It was therefore permissible for Shaul to eat [the thigh].
For it was kept… until the appointed time. Because for the appointed time of the banquet, this thigh had been reserved for you.
I told the [cook], I have invited the people. My statement to the cook was, 'I invited the people to the feast, and I know their number. Be careful with their portions.' And I ordered from him the number of portions accordingly, and this one was reserved for you.

And he spoke with Shaul on the roof. Reproving him and teaching him to fear the Holy One, Blessed is He.

To pass ahead of us. To go at a distance from us so that he will not hear our conversation.
And he went ahead. The youth went ahead of them, but to Shaul he said, 'And you stand with me.'