1 Samuel 10:20

KJV

And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when Samuel {H8050} had caused all the tribes {H7626} of Israel {H3478} to come near {H7126}, the tribe {H7626} of Benjamin {H1144} was taken {H3920}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Sh'mu'el had all the tribes come forward, and the tribe of Binyamin was chosen.

Berean Standard Bible

Thus Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected.

American Standard Version

So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 10:20 captures a pivotal moment in Israel's transition to monarchy, detailing the public, divinely orchestrated selection process for its first king. At the assembly in Mizpah, where all the tribes of Israel were gathered, the sacred casting of lots definitively identified Benjamin as the tribe from which God's chosen leader would emerge, marking the initial step in the public confirmation of Saul's kingship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Israel's demand for a king and God's reluctant but sovereign response. Immediately preceding it, Samuel has gathered the nation at [Mizpah](/1_samuel/10-17 "1 Samuel 10:17 - The Assembly at Mizpah"), where he delivers a stern rebuke, reminding them of their rejection of God as their true King ([1 Samuel 10:19](/1_samuel/10-19 "1 Samuel 10:19 - Israel's Rejection of God")). Despite their flawed motives, God proceeds to guide the selection process, which begins with the identification of the tribe. Following this verse, the selection process continues, narrowing down from the tribe of Benjamin to the clan of Matri, then to the family, and finally to [Saul himself](/1_samuel/10-21 "1 Samuel 10:21 - Saul is Chosen"), who is found hidden among the baggage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges was drawing to a close, characterized by cyclical disobedience and fragmented leadership. Israel, observing the surrounding nations, clamored for a centralized monarchy ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King")). The method of casting lots, as seen here, was a legitimate and widely accepted means of discerning divine will in ancient Israel (cf. [Joshua 7:16-18](/joshua/7-16 "Joshua 7:16-18 - Achan Identified by Lot") for Achan's identification or [Numbers 26:55-56](/numbers/26-55 "Numbers 26:55-56 - Land Allotment by Lot") for land distribution). It was not considered a random gamble but a sacred act through which God's choice was revealed, often involving priestly implements like the Urim and Thummim. Mizpah itself was a significant assembly point, often used for national gatherings and covenant renewals, underscoring the public and solemn nature of this event.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty** and **Election**, demonstrating that even in response to Israel's rebellious demand, God's ultimate control over history and leadership is absolute. The "taking" of Benjamin emphasizes that the choice was God's, not a human contrivance, reinforcing the principle that "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD" ([Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord Directs the Lot")). It also marks a critical **Transition of Leadership** from the charismatic, Spirit-empowered judges to a more institutionalized monarchy, a shift that, while prompted by human desire, was nevertheless integrated into God's overarching plan for His people. Furthermore, the event underscores the enduring principle of **Theocratic Governance**, reminding Israel that even with a human king, God remained their supreme ruler, appointing and overseeing their earthly leaders.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **taken (Hebrew, _lāḵaḏ'_):** The Hebrew verb לָכַד (lakad), used here in the Niphal stem (נִלְכָּד, _nilkad_), means "to be caught," "to be seized," or "to be apprehended." In this context, it signifies a definitive and inescapable divine selection, not a mere random draw. It conveys the idea that Benjamin was supernaturally singled out and confirmed by God through the lot, emphasizing the certainty and authority of the divine choice. This word choice underscores the active hand of God in the process, rather than passive chance.
* **tribes of Israel (Hebrew, _šibṭê Yiśrā’ēl'_):** This phrase, שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (_shivtei Yisrael_), refers to the twelve tribal divisions descended from Jacob. Their collective presence signifies the national scope and public nature of the king's selection. Samuel "caused all the tribes... to come near," indicating an orderly, formal presentation before God, ensuring that the entire nation witnessed and implicitly assented to the divine choice, lending legitimacy to the process.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near":** This clause highlights Samuel's pivotal role as God's prophet and mediator. He orchestrates the assembly, ensuring that the entire nation is present and participates in the solemn process. The act of "causing them to come near" suggests an orderly, deliberate, and public presentation, emphasizing the transparency and communal witness to the divine selection. It underscores that this was a national event, not a private appointment.
* **"the tribe of Benjamin was taken":** This declarative statement reveals the immediate outcome of the lot-casting. The passive voice "was taken" (Niphal of _lakad_) strongly implies a divine agent behind the action, rather than mere chance. It signifies that God's will was revealed, singling out Benjamin from all the other tribes. This marks the first crucial step in narrowing down the search for the king, setting the stage for the subsequent identification of Saul.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its theological significance. **Divine Revelation** is central, as the casting of lots is presented as a direct means by which God's will is made known to His people, transforming a seemingly random process into a sacred act of communication. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the selection of Benjamin immediately points towards the eventual identification of Saul, who hails from this tribe. The narrative also contains subtle **Irony**; Benjamin was the smallest and weakest of the tribes after its near annihilation in the book of Judges ([Judges 20:46-48](/judges/20-46 "Judges 20:46-48 - The Near Destruction of Benjamin")), yet it is chosen to provide Israel's first king. This choice subtly contrasts with the people's desire for a powerful, impressive monarch, hinting at God's often unexpected ways of working.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's active sovereignty in human history, even when human desires and failings initiate a new course of action. Despite Israel's rejection of God's direct rule, He remains intimately involved, guiding the selection of their king through a process that underscores His ultimate authority. The "taking" of Benjamin by lot serves as a powerful theological statement: leadership in Israel, even a monarchy established by human demand, ultimately derived its legitimacy and authority from divine appointment. This highlights a foundational principle of biblical governance—that all authority is ultimately derived from God.

* [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord Directs the Lot")
* [Acts 1:26](/acts/1-26 "Acts 1:26 - Matthias Chosen by Lot")
* [1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - God's Response to Israel's Demand for a King")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine selection of Benjamin in 1 Samuel 10:20 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's sovereignty is not limited by human choices, even those made with flawed motives. He can and does work through imperfect systems and people to accomplish His perfect will. For us, this means cultivating a deep trust in God's providence, recognizing that His hand is active in the seemingly random events of life, in the rise and fall of leaders, and in the unfolding of history. It challenges us to seek His guidance in all significant decisions, whether personal or communal, and to remember that true authority and wisdom originate from Him. Furthermore, it encourages us to pray for our leaders, knowing that their positions, in some sense, are ordained or permitted by God, and that His purposes can be advanced even through those we might not have chosen ourselves.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's sovereignty in this passage challenge our understanding of human free will and divine election?**
* **In what ways do we, like ancient Israel, sometimes seek solutions "like the nations" instead of fully trusting God's unique provision and methods?**
* **What does the selection of Benjamin, a relatively small and historically troubled tribe, teach us about God's unexpected ways of choosing and using people for His purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why was the method of casting lots used for selecting the king?**

Answer: The casting of lots was a recognized and sacred method in ancient Israel for discerning God's will, particularly for important decisions that required divine input. It was believed to remove human bias and ensure that the choice was truly God's, not merely a human preference or political maneuver. This method was often associated with priestly functions and instruments like the Urim and Thummim, signifying a divine oracle. It emphasized that the king's authority derived from God's direct appointment.

**What is the significance of Benjamin being "taken"?**

Answer: The selection of Benjamin is significant for several reasons. First, Benjamin was the smallest of the tribes (as Saul himself notes in [1 Samuel 9:21](/1_samuel/9-21 "1 Samuel 9:21 - Saul's Humility")), especially after its near annihilation in the tribal war recorded in [Judges 20-21](/judges/20 "Judges 20 - The Civil War Against Benjamin"). God's choice of the smallest tribe for the first king underscores His tendency to work through the seemingly weak or insignificant, defying human expectations of grandeur or strength. Second, it sets up a thematic contrast with the tribe of Judah, from which the subsequent, enduring Davidic dynasty would emerge, ultimately leading to Christ.

**Did God approve of Israel's request for a king?**

Answer: God permitted Israel's request for a king, but He did not fully approve of their motives. As stated in [1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - God's Response to Israel's Demand for a King"), God told Samuel, "They have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them." Their desire for a king was rooted in a rejection of God's direct rule and a longing to be "like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King")). Nevertheless, God, in His sovereign wisdom, used their flawed request to establish a monarchy, which would eventually lead to the Davidic covenant and the lineage of the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine selection of Benjamin as the tribe for Israel's first king, though initiated by human demand, points forward to the ultimate, divinely chosen King, Jesus Christ. While Saul, from Benjamin, represented a flawed, earthly monarchy that ultimately failed, Jesus, from the tribe of Judah ([Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of the Tribe of Judah")), embodies the perfect, eternal kingship. Unlike Saul, who was chosen by lot in a process that highlighted Israel's rejection of God, Jesus is the [Father's eternally chosen Son](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"), the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") whose kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). The narrative of 1 Samuel 10:20, with its emphasis on God's sovereign hand in appointing a leader, foreshadows the greater truth that God Himself would send His Son to be the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"), establishing a kingdom that will have no end ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - His Kingdom Will Never End")). Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel's longing for a king, not one chosen by human lot or desire, but by divine decree, perfectly ruling and interceding for His people ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Lives to Intercede")).

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

Joshua 7:16

¶ So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:

Joshua 7:18

And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.

Acts 1:24

And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all [men], shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

Acts 1:26

And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

1 Samuel 14:41

Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect [lot]. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.