What does 1 Samuel 10:21 mean?
"When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found." - 1 Samuel 10:21
The Bible verse 1 Samuel 10:21 from the King James Version (KJV) states, "When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found." This verse is part of the story of the anointing of Saul as the first king of Israel.
To understand the full depth and meaning of this verse, we must first examine the context in which it is found. The Israelites had been ruled by judges, such as Samuel, but they desired a king like other nations. Despite Samuel's warnings about the potential negative consequences of having a king, God instructed him to anoint Saul, a Benjamite from the tribe of Benjamin, as the first king of Israel.
The verse begins with the selection process of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites are gathered together by their tribes and families, and the family of Matri is taken. Within the family of Matri, Saul, the son of Kish, is chosen to be king. However, when they went to look for Saul, he could not be found. This foreshadows the humble beginnings of Saul's reign and adds to the mystery and drama surrounding his anointing.
One of the key themes in this verse is the concept of divine election and God's sovereign choice. Despite Saul's initial anonymity and lack of prominence, God specifically selects him to be the king of Israel. This illustrates the principle that God often chooses unlikely candidates to fulfill his purposes and demonstrates his ability to elevate the lowly to positions of great influence.
Additionally, this verse highlights the importance of obedience and seeking after God's will. Though Saul is initially hesitant to accept the role of king, ultimately, he obediently submits to the will of God. This serves as a reminder to trust in God's plan and to be open to the directions he provides, even when they may seem unexpected or inconvenient.
Furthermore, the symbolism of Saul's selection from the tribe of Benjamin is significant. The tribe of Benjamin was the smallest of the twelve tribes of Israel and had faced near-extinction following a civil war with the rest of Israel (Judges 20-21). By choosing a king from this tribe, God illustrates his ability to bring new life and restoration even to the smallest and most unlikely places. This also aligns with the overarching theme of God's redemptive work throughout the Bible.
The people's inability to find Saul when he is first chosen also serves as a literary device to create suspense and anticipation for the reader. It foreshadows the unexpected and surprising nature of Saul's rise to power, as well as the challenges and conflicts he will face as the king of Israel. It also highlights the mysterious and awe-inspiring nature of God's work in human affairs.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 10:21 from the King James Version offers rich insights into the themes of divine election, obedience to God's will, and the redemptive nature of God. It also carries symbolic significance through its portrayal of Saul's humble beginnings and the unexpected nature of his selection as king. This verse serves as a reminder of God's ability to work through unlikely individuals and situations to accomplish his purposes, and it encourages readers to trust in his plan and seek after his will.
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1 Samuel 10:21 - "When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found."
"When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found." - 1 Samuel 10:21
1 Samuel 21:10-15
1 Samuel 21:10 - "¶ And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath."
1 Samuel 10:1 Samuel anoniting Saul
"¶ And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath." - 1 Samuel 21:10
1 Samuel 8:21 - "And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD."
1 Samuel 15:10 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,"
1 Samuel 3:21 - "And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD."
1 Samuel 10:17 - "¶ And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;"
1 Samuel 3:10 - "And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth."
1 Samuel 3:1-10
1 Samuel 8:10 - "¶ And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king."
1 Samuel 22:21 - "And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests."
1 Samuel 2:21 - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."
1 Samuel 23:21 - "And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me."
1 Samuel 16:10 - "Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these."
1 Samuel 10:20 - "And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken."
1 Samuel 1:10 - "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore."
1 Samuel 13:21 - "Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads."
1 Samuel 10:15 - "And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you."
1 Samuel 17:21 - "For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army."
1 Samuel 1:21 - "And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow."
1 Samuel 10:1 - "Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?"
1 Samuel 10:25 - "Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house."
"¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying," - 1 Samuel 15:10
1 Samuel 21:12 - "And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath."
1 Samuel 16:21 - "And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer."
"¶ And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;" - 1 Samuel 10:17
1 Samuel 10:16 - "And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not."