1 Samuel 10:15

KJV

And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Saul's {H7586} uncle {H1730} said {H559}, Tell {H5046} me, I pray thee, what Samuel {H8050} said {H559} unto you.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Tell me, please," said Sha'ul's uncle, "what Sh'mu'el said to you."

Berean Standard Bible

“Tell me,” Saul’s uncle asked, “what did Samuel say to you?”

American Standard Version

And Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 10:15 captures a pivotal moment immediately following Saul's private anointing as king by Samuel. As Saul returns home, his uncle, Ner, approaches him with a direct and earnest inquiry, seeking to know the specifics of his encounter with the revered prophet. This seemingly simple question sets the stage for Saul's initial demonstration of discretion and obedience to Samuel's instruction to keep the matter of the kingdom private, highlighting the tension between divine revelation and human curiosity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Saul's anointing and the establishment of the monarchy in Israel, specifically following the detailed account of Samuel's private anointing of Saul in [1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Samuel Anoints Saul"). Samuel had given Saul a series of signs to confirm his divine calling and had explicitly instructed him not to reveal the matter of the kingdom to anyone (cf. [1 Samuel 10:7](/1_samuel/10-7 "1 Samuel 10:7 - Samuel's Instructions to Saul") and [1 Samuel 10:8](/1_samuel/10-8 "1 Samuel 10:8 - Samuel's Further Instructions")). Upon his return home, Saul's family, particularly his uncle, naturally inquires about his journey, leading directly to the question posed in this verse. Saul's subsequent response in [1 Samuel 10:16](/1_samuel/10-16 "1 Samuel 10:16 - Saul's Partial Disclosure") reveals his partial obedience and discretion, setting a precedent for his early character.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of 1 Samuel marks a significant transition in Israelite history, moving from a tribal confederacy led by judges to a centralized monarchy. Samuel, as the last of the judges and a revered prophet, held immense spiritual and political authority. Family ties were extremely strong in ancient Israelite society, and it was natural for close relatives, like an uncle, to inquire about a journey, especially one involving a prophet of Samuel's stature. The uncle mentioned here is Ner, the father of Abner (cf. [1 Samuel 14:50](/1_samuel/14-50 "1 Samuel 14:50 - Saul's Family and Military Leaders")), a significant military commander in Saul's future reign. The anointing of a king was a sacred, often private, act before public acclamation, reflecting God's sovereign choice and timing in revealing His plans.
* **Key Themes:** The verse subtly contributes to several key themes prevalent in [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Rise of the Monarchy"). Firstly, it underscores the theme of **divine appointment and secrecy**, as God's chosen leader is initially revealed in a private, intimate setting before public manifestation. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **obedience and discretion**, as Saul is immediately tested on his adherence to Samuel's instruction to keep the anointing private. This early demonstration of discretion contrasts sharply with Saul's later struggles with obedience, particularly concerning God's commands (e.g., [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection")). Finally, the uncle's question reflects **human curiosity** and the natural desire to understand significant encounters, especially with a prophet like Samuel, who was known for delivering divine messages (cf. [1 Samuel 3:19-20](/1_samuel/3-19 "1 Samuel 3:19 - Samuel's Prophetic Authority")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Uncle (Hebrew, _dôd_):** This term refers to a father's brother. The use of "uncle" here emphasizes the close familial relationship between Saul and Ner, highlighting the intimate context of the inquiry. It suggests a level of trust and familiarity that makes the question natural and expected within their cultural setting. The uncle's position as a senior family member also lends authority to his inquiry.
* **I pray thee (Hebrew, _nā'_):** This is a particle of entreaty or politeness, often translated as "please" or "now." Its inclusion indicates that the uncle's question is not merely casual but carries a degree of earnestness, concern, or respectful insistence. It softens the direct command "Tell me" and underscores the uncle's genuine desire for information, recognizing the significance of Saul's encounter with Samuel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul's uncle said":** This clause immediately identifies the speaker as a close family member of Saul, establishing an intimate and familiar setting for the conversation. The uncle's identity as Ner, father of Abner, adds a layer of significance, as Abner will later become a key figure in Saul's kingdom.
* **"Tell me, I pray thee":** This is a direct, yet polite, request for information. The phrase "I pray thee" (Hebrew _na'_) softens the imperative "Tell me," indicating a respectful but earnest desire for a full disclosure from Saul. It conveys the uncle's genuine curiosity and perhaps a sense of urgency or importance regarding the matter.
* **"what Samuel said unto you":** This is the core of the uncle's inquiry, specifically targeting the content of Samuel's message to Saul. It reveals that the uncle's interest extends beyond the mere fact of Saul's encounter with the prophet; he wants to know the prophetic word, recognizing Samuel's role as a divine messenger. This question sets up the immediate test of Saul's obedience to Samuel's instruction to keep the anointing secret.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several subtle **Literary Devices**. **Dialogue** is the primary device, presenting a direct interaction that drives the immediate narrative forward. The uncle's question serves as a moment of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the tension between private divine revelation and public knowledge that will characterize Saul's early reign. It also **Foreshadows** Saul's initial discretion, which stands in stark contrast to his later failures in obedience. There is a subtle **Irony** present, as the uncle asks about Samuel's words, completely unaware that the most significant part of the message—Saul's anointing as king—is being withheld. This highlights the divine secrecy surrounding God's plans and the human inability to fully grasp them until the appointed time.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though brief, highlights the delicate balance between divine revelation and human responsibility, particularly concerning the timing of disclosure. God's plans often unfold in stages, with periods of private preparation and testing before public manifestation. Saul's initial discretion here is a testament to his early obedience, demonstrating that a true calling often requires a season of quiet faithfulness and trust in God's perfect timing. It underscores the principle that not every truth, even a divinely revealed one, is for immediate public consumption, requiring wisdom and discernment in its handling. This moment serves as an early test of Saul's character, setting a benchmark against which his later actions of impatience and disobedience will be measured.

* [1 Samuel 10:16](/1_samuel/10-16 "1 Samuel 10:16 - Saul's Partial Disclosure")
* [Proverbs 11:13](/proverbs/11-13 "Proverbs 11:13 - The Discretion of a Trustworthy Spirit")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Secret to His Servants the Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 10:15 invites us to consider the importance of discretion and obedience in our own lives, especially when we believe God has entrusted us with a unique calling or sensitive information. Just as Saul was instructed to keep the matter of the kingdom private for a time, there are moments when God calls us to quiet faithfulness, to wait for His perfect timing before revealing His full plan or sharing certain insights. This passage challenges us to reflect on our immediate responses when pressed for information, particularly concerning spiritual matters. Do we yield to natural curiosity or maintain a spirit of patient obedience? Saul's initial discretion here is commendable, reminding us that early faithfulness, even in seemingly small acts of obedience, lays a crucial foundation for enduring a greater calling. It prompts us to ask ourselves if we are trustworthy stewards of the "secrets" God may reveal to us, whether personal revelations or aspects of His kingdom work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern when to speak and when to remain silent about God's work in our lives?**
* **In what ways might God be testing our obedience and discretion in the "private" stages of a calling or a significant life event?**
* **What does Saul's initial response here teach us about the importance of early faithfulness and humility in our spiritual journey?**

### FAQ

**Who was Saul's uncle mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: Saul's uncle was Ner, who was the father of Abner, Saul's cousin and later commander of his army. This familial connection highlights the intimate context of the inquiry and the natural curiosity within a close family unit regarding significant events.

**Why did the uncle specifically ask what Samuel said, rather than just about the journey in general?**

Answer: The uncle's specific focus on "what Samuel said" underscores Samuel's immense reputation as a prophet in Israel. People understood that an encounter with Samuel was not merely a casual meeting but often involved a divine message or significant pronouncement. The uncle likely sensed the importance of the meeting, perhaps even suspecting it went beyond the lost donkeys, and was genuinely curious about any prophetic word Saul might have received. This also sets up the immediate test of Saul's obedience to Samuel's instruction to keep the matter of the kingship private (see [1 Samuel 10:7](/1_samuel/10-7 "1 Samuel 10:7 - Samuel's Instructions to Saul")).

**What was Saul supposed to do according to Samuel's instructions regarding the anointing?**

Answer: Samuel had explicitly instructed Saul not to reveal the matter of the kingdom to anyone (see [1 Samuel 10:7-8](/1_samuel/10-7 "1 Samuel 10:7 - Samuel's Instructions to Saul")). This was part of God's plan for a gradual revelation of Saul's kingship, allowing for a period of private confirmation and preparation before his public acclamation. Saul's response in the following verse, [1 Samuel 10:16](/1_samuel/10-16 "1 Samuel 10:16 - Saul's Partial Disclosure"), shows his initial adherence to this command, as he deliberately omits mentioning the kingship to his uncle.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Samuel 10:15 describes Saul's initial discretion regarding his anointing, it subtly points forward to the perfect obedience and divine timing exemplified in Jesus Christ. Saul, though initially obedient, would later fail in his discretion and obedience, ultimately losing his kingdom due to presumption and impatience. In contrast, Jesus perfectly embodied the principle of divine timing and revelation. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus often commanded His disciples to keep His identity as the Messiah secret, a concept known as the "Messianic Secret" (e.g., [Matthew 16:20](/matthew/16-20 "Matthew 16:20 - Jesus Commands Silence About His Messiahship"), [Mark 8:30](/mark/8-30 "Mark 8:30 - Jesus Warns Disciples Not to Tell")). This was not due to fear, but because His kingdom was "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), and the full revelation of His kingship required His atoning death and resurrection. Jesus's life was marked by perfect obedience to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")), demonstrating the ultimate fulfillment of discretion and submission to divine timing. Unlike Saul, who struggled with the weight of his calling, Christ perfectly fulfilled His, revealing God's kingdom according to the Father's perfect plan and timing.

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.