Acts 13:21

And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

And afterward {G2547} they desired {G154} a king {G935}: and {G2532} God {G2316} gave {G1325} unto them {G846} Saul {G4549} the son {G5207} of Cis {G2797}, a man {G435} of {G1537} the tribe {G5443} of Benjamin {G958}, by the space of forty {G5062} years {G2094}.

Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Sha’ul Ben-Kish, a man from the tribe of Binyamin. After forty years,

Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them forty years under Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin.

And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.

Commentary

Acts 13:21 is part of Paul's comprehensive sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, where he recounts the history of Israel to demonstrate God's faithfulness and prepare the way for the message of Jesus Christ. This verse specifically marks a pivotal transition in Israel's history: the establishment of the monarchy.

Context

In this sermon, Paul is tracing God's interaction with Israel from their deliverance from Egypt through the period of the Judges. The verse picks up after God had given Israel judges to rule them for about 450 years. The people, observing the nations around them, eventually expressed a strong desire to have a king to rule over them, just like other nations. This request is detailed in the Old Testament book of Samuel, specifically in 1 Samuel 8:5, where they told the prophet Samuel, "make us a king to judge us like all the nations."

Key Themes

  • Human Desire vs. Divine Will: The verse highlights the people's desire for a king, which, according to 1 Samuel 8:7, was seen by God as a rejection of Him as their direct ruler. Despite this, God, in His sovereignty, permitted their choice.
  • God's Permissive Sovereignty: God "gave unto them Saul." This demonstrates that while God has a perfect will, He sometimes allows humanity's desires to unfold, even if they are not His ideal plan, to teach lessons or to work toward a greater purpose.
  • The First King of Israel: Saul, from the "tribe of Benjamin," was the first king chosen by God at the people's request. His anointing by Samuel is recorded in 1 Samuel 10:1. His reign lasted for "forty years," a period often used in the Bible to denote a generation or a significant epoch.
  • A Cautionary Tale: While not explicitly stated in Acts 13:21, the subsequent history of Saul's reign, marked by disobedience and ultimately his rejection by God (1 Samuel 15:23), sets the stage for the introduction of David, and eventually, the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, whom Paul will speak of later in this sermon.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Cis" is the King James Version's transliteration of Kish, Saul's father. This detail underscores the historical accuracy and specificity of Luke's (the author of Acts) account, tying it directly to the Old Testament narrative.

Practical Application

Acts 13:21 serves as a reminder that our desires, even when seemingly rational or for good order, may not always align with God's perfect will for us. It encourages us to seek God's counsel and trust in His wisdom rather than relying solely on our own understanding or conforming to the world's standards. The story of Saul's reign, though granted by God, ultimately shows the consequences of disobedience, emphasizing the importance of humility and obedience to God's commands in all aspects of life, especially in leadership.

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 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

  • 1 Samuel 10:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured [it] upon his head, and kissed him, and said, [Is it] not because the LORD hath anointed thee [to be] captain over his inheritance?

  • 1 Samuel 15:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee [to be] king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.

  • 1 Samuel 8:5 (3 votes)

    And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

  • 1 Samuel 9:2 (3 votes)

    And he had a son, whose name [was] Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and [there was] not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward [he was] higher than any of the people.

  • 1 Samuel 10:21 (3 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Samuel 10:26 (3 votes)

    And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.

  • 1 Samuel 12:12 (3 votes)

    And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God [was] your king.