1 Samuel 10:21

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

When he had caused the tribe {H7626} of Benjamin {H1144} to come near {H7126} by their families {H4940}, the family {H4940} of Matri {H4309} was taken {H3920}, and Saul {H7586} the son {H1121} of Kish {H7027} was taken {H3920}: and when they sought {H1245} him, he could not be found {H4672}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He had the tribe of Binyamin come forward by families, and the family of the Matri was chosen, and Sha'ul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he couldn't be found.

Berean Standard Bible

Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him.

American Standard Version

And he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families; and the family of the Matrites was taken; and Saul the son of Kish was taken: but when they sought him, he could not be found.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 10:21 captures the dramatic public selection of Saul as Israel's first king, a moment of profound significance in the nation's history. Following a meticulous process of casting lots, which narrowed the choice from tribe to family and finally to the individual, Saul, the son of Kish, was divinely identified. However, at the precise moment of his public unveiling, he was nowhere to be found, adding an unexpected and somewhat ironic twist to his reluctant ascension to the throne.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal juncture in the book of 1 Samuel, marking the public confirmation of the monarchy after Samuel's private anointing of Saul in [1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Samuel Anoints Saul"). The preceding chapters detail Israel's persistent demand for a king, despite Samuel's warnings and God's initial displeasure, as seen in [1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King"). The assembly at Mizpah, where the lot was cast, served as the formal national ratification of God's choice, providing divine legitimacy to the new governmental structure. Saul's subsequent discovery and presentation to the people in [1 Samuel 10:22-24](/1_samuel/10-22-24 "1 Samuel 10:22-24 - Saul is Presented to Israel") immediately follow this verse, completing the dramatic scene of his introduction as king.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The transition from a loose tribal confederacy, led by judges, to a centralized monarchy was a monumental shift in ancient Israel. The practice of casting lots, often involving the Urim and Thummim, was a widely accepted and sacred method for discerning the divine will in critical matters, from land distribution to judicial decisions and, as here, the selection of leaders. This method underscored the belief that God was directly intervening in human affairs, ensuring that the choice of king was not based on human preference or political maneuvering but on divine appointment. Mizpah itself was a significant cultic and assembly site, often serving as a gathering place for national decisions and religious convocations, lending further weight and solemnity to the proceedings.
* **Key Themes:** The events of 1 Samuel 10:21 powerfully illustrate several key themes. **Divine Sovereignty** is paramount, as God's choice is clearly demonstrated through the lot, overriding human expectations or ambitions. This emphasizes that true authority originates from God, not from popular demand or personal merit. Another prominent theme is **Human Reluctance and Humility** in the face of a divine call. Saul's hiding suggests a profound sense of inadequacy or fear concerning the immense responsibility of kingship, a characteristic often valued in biblical narratives of leadership, where God's strength is made perfect in weakness (cf. [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Grace is Sufficient")). Finally, the narrative highlights **God's Unexpected Choices**, as He often selects individuals who are not prominent or who may even be reluctant, demonstrating His power to use anyone for His purposes, regardless of their background or initial disposition (cf. [Judges 6:15](/judges/6-15 "Judges 6:15 - Gideon's Humility")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **taken (Hebrew, לָכַד - _lakad_):** The verb used here, specifically in its passive form (_nilkad_), means "to seize," "to capture," or "to apprehend." In the context of casting lots, it signifies a definitive and inescapable selection, as if the chosen individual was "caught" or "apprehended" by the divine process. It conveys the idea that the outcome was fixed and undeniable, leaving no room for human manipulation or dispute, even if the chosen one was initially absent.
* **sought (Hebrew, בָּקַשׁ - _baqash_):** This verb implies an active, diligent, and often urgent search. The use of _baqash_ here emphasizes the immediate and widespread effort to locate Saul once he was identified by the lot. It highlights the surprise and perhaps consternation of the assembly when their newly chosen king could not be found, adding to the dramatic tension of the moment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families":** This phrase describes the systematic and orderly process of the lot-casting. Samuel, acting as God's representative, meticulously narrows down the selection, first by tribe, ensuring that every family within Benjamin is presented for the divine decision. This methodical approach underscores the fairness and transparency of the selection process.
* **"the family of Matri was taken":** The lot, guided by divine providence, identifies a specific family within the tribe of Benjamin. This further refines the search, demonstrating the precision with which God was revealing His chosen leader, moving from a broad group to a more defined unit.
* **"and Saul the son of Kish was taken":** The final step of the lot-casting pinpoints the individual chosen by God. This is the climactic moment of identification, where Saul's name is definitively revealed as the one appointed to be Israel's king, confirming Samuel's private anointing.
* **"and when they sought him, he could not be found":** This concluding clause introduces the unexpected and dramatic turn of events. Despite the clear divine selection, Saul is conspicuously absent, creating immediate suspense and highlighting his initial reluctance or fear concerning the immense responsibility that has just been thrust upon him.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 1 Samuel 10:21 is rich with **Dramatic Irony**, as the very person chosen by God to lead the nation is initially nowhere to be found, creating a stark contrast between divine appointment and human apprehension. This unexpected absence builds significant **Suspense**, delaying the public presentation of the king and intensifying the anticipation of the crowd. The scene also employs elements of **Divine Comedy** or **Situational Humor**, as the grand unveiling of Israel's first monarch is momentarily thwarted by the king's hiding, adding a touch of unexpected humanity to the divine drama. Furthermore, Saul's initial reluctance and hiding could be seen as **Foreshadowing** his later struggles with leadership, including his tendency to hide from God's commands or to act out of fear rather than faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's sovereign hand in human affairs, particularly in the establishment of leadership. The casting of lots was not a random gamble but a sacred means by which ancient Israel sought and believed they received divine direction, emphasizing that Saul's kingship was a divine appointment, not a human election. It highlights the tension between God's clear call and human reluctance, a theme frequently explored in Scripture. True leadership, from a biblical perspective, often begins not with ambition but with a humble recognition of one's inadequacy and a reliance on God's enabling power. Saul's initial humility, though fleeting, serves as a poignant reminder that God often chooses the meek and the seemingly unqualified to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating that His power is perfected in weakness.

* [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lot is Cast")
* [Jeremiah 1:6-7](/jeremiah/1-6-7 "Jeremiah 1:6-7 - Jeremiah's Call and Reluctance")
* [Judges 6:15](/judges/6-15 "Judges 6:15 - Gideon's Humble Response")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic scene of Saul's selection and subsequent hiding offers profound insights for believers today. God often calls individuals to tasks and roles that feel overwhelming, far beyond our perceived capabilities or comfort zones. Our initial response, like Saul's, might be fear, inadequacy, or even a desire to shrink from the responsibility. However, this narrative reminds us that God equips those He calls, and true leadership is often characterized not by an eager pursuit of power but by a humble recognition of dependence on divine strength. It challenges us to reflect on how we respond when God's will becomes clear, especially when it demands stepping into uncomfortable or challenging situations. Are we willing to trust His plan and His provision, even when our own fears or insecurities tempt us to hide? This passage encourages us to embrace God's call with a spirit of humility and courageous obedience, knowing that His sovereign hand is always at work, guiding and empowering His chosen ones.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when God calls you to a task that feels overwhelming or beyond your capabilities?**
* **What does Saul's initial absence teach us about the nature of true leadership, particularly in contrast to self-seeking ambition?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to step out in faith, even if it means overcoming fear or reluctance?**

### FAQ
**Why was Saul hiding when he was chosen as king?**

Answer: Saul's hiding is open to several interpretations, all pointing to his initial reluctance rather than eagerness for power. It could stem from genuine humility, a profound sense of unworthiness given his family's obscurity and his tribe's smallness (cf. [1 Samuel 9:21](/1_samuel/9-21 "1 Samuel 9:21 - Saul's Humility")), or an overwhelming fear and anxiety about the immense responsibility of leading a nation. This initial reaction stands in stark contrast to the typical image of an ambitious leader, highlighting that God's chosen often do not fit human expectations. His hiding underscores the divine nature of his selection, as he was "taken" by God's will, not by his own ambition.

**What was the significance of casting lots in this context?**

Answer: Casting lots was a well-established and divinely sanctioned method in ancient Israel for discerning God's will. Its significance here is multifaceted: it publicly legitimized Saul's selection by demonstrating that he was God's choice, not Samuel's or the people's; it removed any potential accusations of favoritism or political manipulation; and it served to confirm the divine authority of the newly established monarchy. This practice is seen throughout the Old Testament and even in the New Testament, such as in the selection of Matthias to replace Judas in [Acts 1:26](/acts/1-26 "Acts 1:26 - Matthias Chosen by Lot"). It underscored the belief 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 Lot is Cast")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic selection of Saul by divine lot, his initial reluctance, and subsequent public presentation, though imperfect, foreshadows the ultimate King, Jesus Christ. Unlike Saul, who was "taken" by lot and found hiding, Jesus, the true King, was not chosen by human means but was eternally appointed by God, willingly embracing His mission. While Saul's humility was mixed with fear, Christ's humility was perfect and redemptive; He did not cling to His divine status but "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). Jesus, though the rightful King, often withdrew from public acclamation, not out of fear of responsibility, but to fulfill His redemptive purpose, avoiding premature enthronement by human hands (cf. [John 6:15](/john/6-15 "John 6:15 - Jesus Withdraws from the Crowd")). Ultimately, Jesus is the King who does not hide, but openly declares His identity and purpose, presenting Himself as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and the [Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"). His kingdom is not of this world, yet He reigns eternally, a King who was "taken" by divine plan to the cross, only to be publicly exalted as [Lord of lords and King of kings](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings").

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.