1 Samuel 9:13
As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.
The place of the meeting was a high place used for offering sacrifice at a time when the tabernacle had no services in operation. Such places of worship were commonly situated on elevated ground within cities selected for worship. Samuel was expected to come up to that high place before the sacrificial meal to bless the sacrifice. Only after that blessing would the invited guests partake of the meal, so no one ate until he arrived. Their waiting to eat until he came showed his position in directing the religious service.