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1 Samuel 10:16

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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.

And Saul {H7586} said {H559} unto his uncle {H1730}, He told {H5046} us plainly {H5046} that the asses {H860} were found {H4672}. But of the matter {H1697} of the kingdom {H4410}, whereof Samuel {H8050} spake {H559}, he told {H5046} him not.

Sha'ul answered his uncle, "He told us that the donkeys had been found," but said nothing to him about the matter of his being made king.

And Saul replied, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But Saul did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.

And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But concerning the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.

Commentary

This verse offers a fascinating glimpse into the character of Saul immediately after his private anointing by Samuel as the first king of Israel. It highlights his initial discretion and perhaps a sense of humility or awe regarding the immense responsibility he had just received.

Context

Prior to this conversation with his uncle, Saul had been on a mission to find his father Kish's lost donkeys. This seemingly mundane task led him to Samuel, the prophet, who, under divine instruction, anointed Saul with oil and declared him to be the future ruler over God's inheritance. Samuel also gave Saul several signs that would confirm this prophetic word, which Saul experienced as predicted. Upon returning home, his uncle inquired about his whereabouts and what Samuel had said.

Key Themes

  • Saul's Discretion: Saul chose to reveal only the mundane part of his encounter with Samuel—that the donkeys were found. He deliberately withheld the momentous news about the kingdom. This act of silence could stem from several motivations:
    • Humility: A genuine sense of unworthiness or reluctance to immediately embrace such a high office.
    • Prudence: Waiting for God's appointed time for the public revelation of his kingship, which would soon follow when Samuel gathered Israel at Mizpeh (1 Samuel 10:17).
    • Awe: Being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the divine appointment and not yet ready to share it.
  • Divine Secrecy and Timing: God often works behind the scenes before making His plans publicly known. Saul's anointing was private, emphasizing that his authority came from God, not from popular acclaim initially. The public revelation would come later, when Saul was presented as king before all Israel.
  • The Burden of Leadership: Saul's silence might also indicate an early awareness of the weight and challenges associated with leading a nation, especially one under God's covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "he told us plainly" uses the Hebrew word `קָשׁוֹר` (qashor), which means "certainly," "clearly," or "definitely." This emphasizes the clarity of Samuel's message regarding the asses, contrasting sharply with Saul's deliberate silence regarding the much more significant matter of the kingdom.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us of the wisdom in discretion. Not every truth needs to be immediately proclaimed, especially when it involves significant personal news or divine appointments. There are times when it is prudent to wait for God's perfect timing for revelation. Saul's initial humility and measured response stand in contrast to later developments in his reign, offering a point of reflection on the initial character of a chosen leader and the pressures that can change a person over time.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 14:6 (3 votes)

    And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and [he had] nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

  • 1 Samuel 9:27 (3 votes)

    [And] as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.

  • 1 Samuel 9:20 (3 votes)

    And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom [is] all the desire of Israel? [Is it] not on thee, and on all thy father's house?

  • Proverbs 29:11 (3 votes)

    ¶ A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards.

  • Exodus 4:18 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which [are] in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.