1 Samuel 10:14

KJV

And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that [they were] no where, we came to Samuel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Saul's {H7586} uncle {H1730} said {H559} unto him and to his servant {H5288}, Whither {H575} went {H1980} ye? And he said {H559}, To seek {H1245} the asses {H860}: and when we saw {H7200} that they were no where {H369}, we came {H935} to Samuel {H8050}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sha'ul's uncle said to him and his servant, "Where did you go?" He answered, "To look for the donkeys. When we saw that they hadn't been found, we went to Sh'mu'el."

Berean Standard Bible

Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where did you go?” “To look for the donkeys,” Saul replied. “When we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”

American Standard Version

And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses; and when we saw that they were not found, we came to Samuel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 10:14 captures a pivotal moment in Saul's return home after his secret anointing by Samuel. Upon encountering his uncle, Saul is questioned about his whereabouts. His response, while truthful in part, strategically omits the most significant event of his journey—his divine selection and anointing as king. This brief exchange offers an early glimpse into Saul's character, highlighting themes of discretion, divine timing, and the tension between private revelation and public manifestation of God's will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Saul's private anointing by Samuel and the subsequent fulfillment of three prophetic signs, all designed to confirm God's Spirit was with him and that he was indeed chosen as Israel's first king ([1 Samuel 10:1-13](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1-13 - Saul's Anointing and Prophetic Signs")). Having been sent by his father Kish to find lost donkeys, Saul and his servant unexpectedly encountered Samuel, who revealed God's plan. The journey to Samuel and the anointing were entirely private. Upon their return, Saul's uncle's inquiry serves as a natural bridge, bringing Saul back into his family sphere before the public assembly at Mizpah, where his kingship would be publicly revealed ([1 Samuel 10:17-24](/1_samuel/10-17 "1 Samuel 10:17-24 - Saul Proclaimed King at Mizpah")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was transitioning from a tribal confederacy led by judges to a monarchy, a significant shift prompted by the people's desire for a king "like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King")). Prophets like Samuel played a crucial role as God's spokesmen, mediating divine will to the people and anointing leaders. The uncle's questioning of Saul was a natural expectation within the patriarchal family structure, where elders held authority and responsibility for family affairs. The search for lost donkeys, a mundane task, underscores how God often uses ordinary circumstances to initiate His extraordinary plans, a common motif in biblical narratives.
* **Key Themes:** The verse subtly introduces several key themes that will develop throughout Saul's narrative. **Divine Election** is paramount, as Saul's kingship is God's choice, not human ambition. Saul's partial disclosure highlights the theme of **Discretion and Divine Timing**, suggesting that not all divine revelations are meant for immediate public consumption. This initial reticence can be interpreted as nascent **Humility** or a strategic understanding that the time for public proclamation had not yet arrived. It also sets up a subtle **Contrast** between the mundane task of seeking lost animals and the profound spiritual reality of being anointed king, illustrating God's ability to work through the ordinary to achieve the extraordinary.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Uncle (Hebrew, _dôd_):** This term refers to a father's brother. The relationship implies a degree of authority and familial interest, making the uncle's inquiry about Saul's whereabouts natural and legitimate. It also suggests a close family tie, as Ner, Abner's father, was Saul's uncle ([1 Samuel 14:50](/1_samuel/14-50 "1 Samuel 14:50 - Saul's Family Line")).
* **Asses (Hebrew, _'āthônôth_):** These female donkeys represent the mundane, everyday task that initiated Saul's journey. Their loss and the subsequent search were the catalysts for Saul's encounter with Samuel and his anointing. The ordinary nature of the task contrasts sharply with the extraordinary divine appointment it led to.
* **Samuel (Hebrew, _Shĕmû'êl_):** The prophet Samuel is God's chosen instrument for anointing Saul. His name signifies "heard by God" or "name of God," emphasizing his role as a mediator of divine revelation. Saul's mention of Samuel, while omitting the anointing, indicates the prophet's recognized authority and significance in the region.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye?":** This opening clause establishes the setting of Saul's return home and the immediate familial inquiry. The uncle's question is direct and practical, reflecting concern for their prolonged absence and the success of their mission. The inclusion of "his servant" indicates that the servant was privy to the journey's details, though perhaps not the full significance of the anointing.
* **"And he said, To seek the asses:":** Saul's initial response is straightforward and truthful, addressing the original purpose of their departure. This part of his answer aligns perfectly with the family's understanding of why he left, confirming he had been engaged in the expected task.
* **"and when we saw that [they were] no where, we came to Samuel.":** This is the crucial part of Saul's answer, where he provides a partial truth. He acknowledges the failure to find the asses and their subsequent visit to Samuel, but he deliberately omits the divine encounter, the anointing, and the prophetic signs. This omission is not a lie, but a strategic silence, likely driven by discretion, humility, or an understanding that the public revelation of his kingship was not yet God's timing, but Samuel's prerogative to announce.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several subtle **Literary Devices**. There is a clear **Contrast** between the mundane task of seeking lost donkeys and the momentous divine appointment of kingship. This highlights God's ability to work through ordinary circumstances to achieve extraordinary ends. **Irony** is present in the fact that a search for animals leads to the finding of a king. Saul's partial disclosure also serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing** of his later struggles with complete obedience and transparency, though in this initial instance, his discretion appears to be a positive trait. The simple **Dialogue** between Saul and his uncle is direct and concise, efficiently moving the narrative forward while revealing aspects of Saul's character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This brief interaction underscores the profound theological truth that God's plans often unfold in ways that are initially hidden or revealed incrementally. Saul's discretion in not immediately divulging his anointing reflects a recognition that divine revelation has its proper timing and method of public declaration. It teaches us about the wisdom of waiting on God's appointed time for certain truths to be made known, rather than rushing to proclaim them prematurely. This private anointing, followed by a period of silence before public proclamation, emphasizes that true authority and calling come from God, not from human boasting or self-promotion. It also highlights God's sovereignty in choosing and preparing His leaders, often through unexpected and humble means.

* [1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - David's Private Anointing") - Like Saul, David was privately anointed by Samuel before his public ascent to the throne, demonstrating God's hidden work.
* [Proverbs 25:2](/proverbs/25-2 "Proverbs 25:2 - God's Glory to Conceal") - "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter." This proverb speaks to the divine prerogative of revelation and the wisdom of withholding information until the right moment.
* [Mark 8:30](/mark/8-30 "Mark 8:30 - Jesus Charges Disciples to Secrecy") - Jesus frequently charged His disciples not to tell anyone about His identity or certain miracles, indicating a divine timing for revelation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Saul's measured response to his uncle offers valuable insights for believers today. It reminds us that not every significant experience or divine calling is meant for immediate public disclosure. There are times for discretion, for quietly processing God's work in our lives, and for waiting for His timing to reveal His purposes more broadly. This can be a sign of humility and wisdom, trusting that God will bring to light what He intends, when He intends. Furthermore, the narrative encourages us to recognize God's hand in the seemingly mundane tasks of our lives. Just as searching for lost donkeys led Saul to his destiny, our everyday responsibilities can be the very pathways through which God guides us to profound encounters with His will and prepares us for greater service. We are called to be faithful in the small things, knowing that God often uses them to unfold His grand designs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern when to share a personal divine calling or revelation, and when to exercise wise discretion, like Saul?**
* **In what "mundane" or ordinary tasks might God be preparing us for a greater purpose or leading us to a significant encounter with His will?**
* **What is the difference between strategic discretion (like Saul's here) and deceptive omission in our communication with others?**

### FAQ
**Was Saul being dishonest by not telling his uncle about the anointing?**

Answer: Saul's response was an omission rather than an outright lie. He truthfully stated that he was seeking the asses and then went to Samuel. What he omitted was the most significant part of his visit: his anointing as king. In this context, his omission appears to be an act of strategic discretion rather than deception. Samuel himself had just privately anointed Saul and given him specific instructions, including prophetic signs, but had not yet publicly presented him as king to Israel. The public proclamation of Saul's kingship would come shortly thereafter at Mizpah, initiated by Samuel ([1 Samuel 10:24](/1_samuel/10-24 "1 Samuel 10:24 - Saul Proclaimed King")). Saul's silence likely stemmed from humility, awe at the divine encounter, or a recognition that the timing for public revelation was not yet his to control. It was not uncommon in biblical narratives for significant divine acts or identities to be kept hidden until God's appointed time.

**Why did God choose Saul through such an ordinary event like searching for lost donkeys?**

Answer: God frequently uses ordinary circumstances and humble beginnings to demonstrate His sovereignty and to highlight that His choice is based on His divine purpose, not on human grandeur or worldly qualifications. The search for lost donkeys was a common, relatable task, yet it became the unexpected catalyst for Saul's encounter with Samuel and his anointing as king. This pattern is seen throughout scripture: Moses was called while tending sheep ([Exodus 3:1-2](/exodus/3-1 "Exodus 3:1-2 - Moses at the Burning Bush")), David was called from tending his father's flock ([1 Samuel 16:11-13](/1_samuel/16-11 "1 Samuel 16:11-13 - David Anointed")), and many of Jesus' disciples were called from their fishing boats ([Matthew 4:18-22](/matthew/4-18 "Matthew 4:18-22 - Calling of the First Disciples")). This emphasizes that God's power and wisdom are manifested not in human might or pretense, but often through the humble and overlooked, demonstrating that "the foolish things of the world to shame the wise" ([1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Lowly")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Saul's hidden anointing and subsequent public revelation finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Just as Saul was privately chosen and anointed before his public manifestation as king, Jesus, the ultimate King of Israel, also experienced a period of hiddenness and gradual revelation. Though born King of the Jews ([Matthew 2:2](/matthew/2-2 "Matthew 2:2 - Magi Seek the King of the Jews")), His early life was spent in obscurity in Nazareth, far from the centers of power. His divine identity and messianic kingship were not immediately proclaimed to all, but revealed progressively through His ministry, miracles, and teachings, often with a call for discretion ([Mark 1:44](/mark/1-44 "Mark 1:44 - Jesus Heals a Leper and Commands Silence")). He came not in the expected earthly pomp of a conquering monarch, but in humility, embodying the servant king who would suffer before reigning ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). His kingdom was "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), and its full nature was often conveyed through parables, like the hidden treasure ([Matthew 13:44](/matthew/13-44 "Matthew 13:44 - Parable of the Hidden Treasure")), understood only by those given insight. Ultimately, like Saul, whose kingship was publicly confirmed, Christ's true identity and reign will be fully and undeniably revealed at His glorious second coming, when He returns as the King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Triumphant Return")), fulfilling the hidden anointing of God's eternal plan.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 14:50

And the name of Saul's wife [was] Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host [was] Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.

2 Kings 5:25

But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence [comest thou], Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.

1 Samuel 9:3

¶ And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

1 Samuel 9:10

Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God [was].