1 Samuel 10 21

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.

1 Samuel 10:21 nkjv

When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found.

1 Samuel 10:21 niv

Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri's clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found.

1 Samuel 10:21 esv

He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found.

1 Samuel 10:21 nlt

Then he brought each family of the tribe of Benjamin before the LORD, and the family of the Matrites was chosen. And finally Saul son of Kish was chosen from among them. But when they looked for him, he had disappeared!

1 Samuel 10 verses

1 Samuel 10 21 Meaning

This verse details the specific outcome of the process initiated to select the king of Israel, affirming that after the tribes and families of Benjamin were brought forward in an orderly divine selection process, the family of Matri was identified, and finally, Saul, son of Kish, was unequivocally revealed as the chosen one. It marks the culmination of the public lot-casting or divine revelation for Israel's first monarch.

1 Samuel 10 21 Context

1 Samuel Chapter 10 follows Samuel's private anointing of Saul as king (vv. 1-8). Saul is then given specific signs which come to pass, affirming his anointing and the presence of God's Spirit (vv. 9-13). After returning home, Saul keeps the anointing a secret from his uncle (vv. 14-16). Samuel then calls all of Israel to Mizpah to publicly present their chosen king, despite having warned them about the burdens of monarchy (vv. 17-19). He reminds them of God's deliverance and their rejection of God by demanding a human king. The selection process described in verses 20-21 involves using the Urim and Thummim or similar divine lots, narrowing down from the tribes, then the clans, then families, to ultimately identify Saul. This verse concludes that rigorous, divinely guided process, publicly revealing Saul after his initial reluctance and private anointing. Historically, this marks a pivotal moment in Israel's transition from a theocracy ruled by judges to a monarchy, yet a monarchy still intended to be under God's ultimate authority.

1 Samuel 10 21 Word analysis

• And when he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near: This refers to the tribe of Benjamin being brought forward, likely by families or representatives, for the selection process. The verb "caused...to come near" (יַקְרִיב, yaqriv, a causative form of "to come near") implies an orderly, methodical presentation as directed by Samuel, often implying a process involving lots or divine inquiry.
• by their families: (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָיו, l'mishpechotav) Emphasizes the genealogical and hierarchical nature of the Israelite social structure. The selection wasn't random but moved systematically through established familial divisions. "Mishpachah" refers to an extended family unit or clan.
• the family of Matri was taken: (נִלְכְּדָה מִשְׁפַּחַת הַמַּטְרִי, nilkeda mishpachat ha-matri) "Was taken" (נִלְכְּדָה, nilkeda) is a key term, from the root לָכַד (lakhad), meaning "to catch," "to seize," "to be captured" or, in this context, "to be singled out" or "identified by lot." It strongly implies a divine act, not a human choice. This process narrows down the selection further. The family of Matri was a specific clan within the tribe of Benjamin.
• and Saul the son of Kish was taken: (וַיִּלָּכֵד שָׁאוּל בֶּן־קִישׁ, vayilakhed Shaul ben-Kish) Reiterates the same divine "taking" or "singling out" by lot. Saul is identified not merely as "Saul" but specifically "Saul, son of Kish," highlighting his specific lineage within the Matrite family. The repetition of "was taken" underlines the divine affirmation at each stage of the narrowing-down process. Kish was Saul's father, from whom Saul inherited his standing within the family of Matri.

1 Samuel 10 21 Bonus section

• The selection at Mizpah served to legitimate Saul's kingship publicly before all Israel, contrasting with his prior private anointing by Samuel.
• The meticulous process of elimination from tribe to family to individual highlights the transparency and irrefutability of the divine choice for the entire nation.
• The use of lots (likely Urim and Thummim) was an established method for discerning God's will in Israel, seen also in Joshua's time for identifying Achan (Josh 7).
• Saul being "taken" from the smallest tribe of Benjamin (1 Sam 9:21) aligns with God's pattern of often choosing the humble or unlikely to accomplish His purposes (1 Cor 1:27-28).
• This verse sets the stage for Saul's kingship, beginning with divine endorsement, a foundation that his subsequent disobedience would unfortunately mar.

1 Samuel 10 21 Commentary

1 Samuel 10:21 presents the culmination of a divinely orchestrated public reveal. After Samuel's private anointing of Saul, God publicly designates him as king through a process of elimination using the Urim and Thummim or similar sacred lots at Mizpah. This meticulous, step-by-step identification — tribe, then family, then individual — leaves no doubt that Saul's appointment is a divine act, not merely human choice. It demonstrates God's sovereignty even in a moment when Israel has rejected His direct rule in favor of an earthly king (1 Sam 8:7). The term "was taken" (lakhad) forcefully conveys this divine election, making it clear that Saul was apprehended by divine will. This event not only signifies Saul's inauguration as Israel's first king but also reaffirms that despite human desires or choices, God remains ultimately in control, directing even the details of leadership transition within His people.