1 Samuel 10 22

1 Samuel 10:22 kjv

Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold he hath hid himself among the stuff.

1 Samuel 10:22 nkjv

Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, "Has the man come here yet?" And the LORD answered, "There he is, hidden among the equipment."

1 Samuel 10:22 niv

So they inquired further of the LORD, "Has the man come here yet?" And the LORD said, "Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies."

1 Samuel 10:22 esv

So they inquired again of the LORD, "Is there a man still to come?" and the LORD said, "Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage."

1 Samuel 10:22 nlt

So they asked the LORD, "Where is he?" And the LORD replied, "He is hiding among the baggage."

1 Samuel 10 verses

1 Samuel 10 22 Meaning

This verse describes the moment the people of Israel, gathered at Mizpah to inaugurate their first king, were unable to find Saul, whom the lot had just designated. Faced with his absence, they sought a direct answer from the Lord. In response, God revealed Saul's exact location, stating that he was concealed among the stored provisions or equipment. It highlights God's omniscience, His active role in the affairs of His people, and Saul's initial humility or apprehension concerning his calling.

1 Samuel 10 22 Context

Chapter 10 of 1 Samuel marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history—the anointing and public presentation of their first king. Samuel had privately anointed Saul (vv. 1-8) and given him signs confirming his divine calling, including prophesying among a band of prophets (vv. 9-13). Saul, returning home, chose not to immediately disclose the anointing (vv. 14-16). Samuel then called all Israel to Mizpah (vv. 17-19) to formally choose a king by lot, fulfilling their earlier demand (1 Sam 8:4-7). After the lots identified Saul as the chosen king, tribe by tribe and family by family (vv. 20-21), he was nowhere to be found among the assembled people. This immediate verse follows the public declaration of the lot falling upon Saul and the inability of the people to locate him among the crowd.

1 Samuel 10 22 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵ֗ן - lakhen): This conjunctive particle signifies a logical consequence or a reason derived from what precedes it. It connects Saul's inability to be found after the lot was cast (1 Sam 10:21) with the subsequent divine inquiry.
• they inquired (וַיִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ - vayyish'alu): From the Hebrew root sha'al, meaning "to ask" or "to inquire." This term is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote a formal, serious request for divine guidance, often implying the use of an oracle, like the Urim and Thummim. It shows a desperate appeal for clarification.
• of the Lord (בַֽיהוָ֖ה - bYahweh): Specifies the divine recipient of the inquiry, Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes that their only recourse in this dilemma was God's direct intervention, rather than relying solely on human means.
• further (ע֔וֹד - od): An adverb indicating "yet," "again," or "more." It suggests that after initial searches proved futile, a further or more specific inquiry was needed from God to pinpoint Saul's exact location.
• 'Has the man come here yet?' (הֲבָ֣א עֽוֹד֙ הֲלֹ֣ם הָאִ֔ישׁ - ha-ba' od halom ha'ish): This direct question reflects the people's bewilderment and the collective anticipation. The "man" (הָאִ֔ישׁ - ha'ish) refers specifically to Saul, whom the lot had chosen. Their query implies confusion that the chosen one was absent.
• And the Lord answered (וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה - vayyomer Yahweh): This phrase highlights God's immediate and direct communication. It assures the reader of divine intervention and confirms that the answer is authoritative and certain. God does not withhold necessary information for His plans.
• 'Behold, he is hidden' (הִנֵּ֖ה מִתְחַבֵּ֥א - hinneh mitḥabbe'): "Behold" (hinneh) is an emphatic particle drawing attention to the divine revelation. "He is hidden" (mitḥabbe') is a present participle from the root ḥava', meaning "to hide oneself" or "to be concealed." This indicates Saul's current active state of concealment, possibly from shyness, fear, or a sense of inadequacy before the great responsibility.
• among the baggage (בַכֵּלִֽים - bakelim): "Baggage" (kelim) refers to household goods, vessels, or equipment, particularly the collective gear or luggage of an army or assembly. Hiding among these commonplace items signifies an attempt to escape attention or blend into the background, revealing Saul's profound reluctance or humility at this crucial juncture.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Therefore they inquired of the Lord further": This phrase reveals the people's reliance on divine counsel when faced with an unexpected obstacle. It highlights a common practice in ancient Israel to seek God's direction through designated means for important matters, especially involving national leadership. Their inability to find Saul on their own prompted a deeper, supernatural inquiry.
• "'Has the man come here yet?'": This question articulates the general confusion and specific nature of their problem. It underscores the urgency and collective expectation surrounding Saul's revelation as king and their inability to perceive God's choice directly without divine aid.
• "And the Lord answered, 'Behold, he is hidden among the baggage.'": This declaration by God powerfully showcases His omniscience and sovereign involvement in Israel's affairs. God not only knows Saul's whereabouts but also the intimate detail of his concealment among the general belongings, a location human eyes would easily overlook. It portrays a God who is intimately aware of His chosen ones, even in their moments of fear or doubt. Saul's hidden state also contrasts sharply with the public role he is about to assume.

1 Samuel 10 22 Bonus section

The inquiry method likely involved the Urim and Thummim, sacred objects kept in the high priest's ephod, used to discern God's will on specific questions. This method demonstrates Israel's reliance on priestly mediation for divine communication. Mizpah was a significant site for assembly, covenant renewal, and worship throughout Israel's history (Judg 20:1, 1 Sam 7:5-6). Saul's choice to hide among the kelim (baggage/provisions) rather than the crowd or camp entrance, signifies a deep attempt at obscurity. This specific detail paints a vivid picture of a leader not overtly eager for power, contrasting later kings. This initial apprehension foreshadows aspects of Saul's later struggle with his God-given authority, moving from humble reluctance to eventual pride and disobedience when he ceased inquiring of the Lord (1 Chr 10:14).

1 Samuel 10 22 Commentary

1 Samuel 10:22 marks God's precise and immediate revelation concerning Saul's whereabouts. After Saul was selected by lot to be Israel's first king, he was unexpectedly absent. This left the people, accustomed to divine guidance in leadership, in a state of perplexity. Their collective inquiry, "Has the man come here yet?", indicates both their need for confirmation and their inability to proceed without the designated leader. The Lord's direct response, "Behold, he is hidden among the baggage," serves multiple purposes. First, it powerfully affirms God's omniscience and His active role in selecting and presenting the king to Israel. Second, it exposes Saul's internal state—whether it was genuine humility and reluctance, fear of the immense responsibility, or even a shrewd awareness of the political complexities ahead. This brief hiding reveals the contrast between the private man chosen by God and the public role he is called to embrace. The verse underscores that despite human shortcomings or anxieties, God's plan will unfold, and He will reveal what is necessary for His will to be accomplished.Example: Much like Saul, individuals called to great tasks by God may initially feel overwhelmed and seek to avoid the spotlight, perhaps from humility or fear of inadequacy. However, God's calling always includes His enablement and presence.