1 Samuel 10 27

1 Samuel 10:27 kjv

But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought no presents. But he held his peace.

1 Samuel 10:27 nkjv

But some rebels said, "How can this man save us?" So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

1 Samuel 10:27 niv

But some scoundrels said, "How can this fellow save us?" They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.

1 Samuel 10:27 esv

But some worthless fellows said, "How can this man save us?" And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

1 Samuel 10:27 nlt

But there were some scoundrels who complained, "How can this man save us?" And they scorned him and refused to bring him gifts. But Saul ignored them. [Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had been grievously oppressing the people of Gad and Reuben who lived east of the Jordan River. He gouged out the right eye of each of the Israelites living there, and he didn't allow anyone to come and rescue them. In fact, of all the Israelites east of the Jordan, there wasn't a single one whose right eye Nahash had not gouged out. But there were 7,000 men who had escaped from the Ammonites, and they had settled in Jabesh-gilead.]

1 Samuel 10 verses

1 Samuel 10 27 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate and dismissive opposition faced by Saul upon being publicly designated king of Israel. While a significant portion of the people supported his appointment, a group of "worthless fellows" openly questioned his ability to deliver them and, by refusing to pay homage through a present, publicly displayed their contempt and lack of allegiance. Saul's initial response, marked by silence, demonstrates a restrained and perhaps divinely-inspired patience in the face of this early challenge to his authority. It highlights the complexities of leadership, especially a divinely-ordained one, when met with human skepticism and scorn.

1 Samuel 10 27 Context

1 Samuel chapter 10 recounts Saul's transition into kingship. It begins with Samuel's private anointing of Saul as prince (nasi) over Israel (vv. 1-8), followed by specific signs that confirmed God's choice. Saul then encountered a company of prophets, and the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, leading to him prophesying (vv. 9-13). After a brief encounter with his uncle, Saul wisely kept silent about the matter of kingship (vv. 14-16). The narrative then shifts to Mizpah, where Samuel publicly assembles all Israel to choose a king by lot, reaffirming God's role in their governance despite their request for a king. Saul is then divinely selected, presented, and stands head and shoulders above everyone (vv. 17-24), which garners a shout of "Long live the king!" from the majority of the people. Samuel records the rights and duties of the kingship (vv. 25-26), and a company of men whose hearts God had touched went with Saul. It is immediately after this public acclamation that verse 27 introduces a dissenting faction, those "worthless fellows" who explicitly reject him. This sets the stage for Saul's initial challenges and the vindication of his reign.

1 Samuel 10 27 Word analysis

• But: (וְ) This conjunction often introduces a contrasting or qualifying statement, highlighting the immediate division among the people after the general acclamation of Saul as king. It shifts the focus from broad public support to specific, pointed opposition.

• some worthless fellows: (בְּנֵי־בְלִיַּ֙עַל֙ בַּר֙ baniy-vliyʻl)

  • בְּנֵי (Bᵉnê): "sons of". Often used idiomatically in Hebrew to describe characteristic behavior or group association, e.g., "sons of God," "sons of man." Here, it labels them by their very nature.
  • בְלִיַּעַל (Beliyya‘al): Transliterated as Belial in some contexts, meaning "worthless," "unprofitable," "wickedness," "destruction," or "good for nothing." It denotes profound moral depravity and an inclination toward evil and rebellion. It's not just a description of idleness but of malicious and contemptuous disposition against God or His chosen. Its usage consistently identifies individuals utterly devoid of moral worth or principle, often acting against divine or established order (e.g., Deut 13:13, 1 Sam 2:12, 1 Sam 25:17).

• said: (וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ vaiyomerehu) The verb denotes an open and direct declaration, indicating their vocal and public dissent.

• 'How can this man save us?': (מַה־יֹּשִׁיעֵ֙נוּ֙ זֶ֔ה mah-yoshiʻnu zeh)

  • מַה (mah): "How?" expresses scorn and incredulity.
  • יֹּשִׁיעֵ֙נוּ֙ (yoshiʻnu): From יָשַׁע (yasha‘), "to save," "deliver," "help," "give victory." This word has strong theological connotations, often referring to divine salvation. Their question undermines Saul's ability to fulfill the king's primary role as a military deliverer (1 Sam 9:16). Their skepticism challenges his capacity, but more deeply, implicitly challenges God's wisdom in choosing him. They seek a visible, proven hero, rather than trust in God's chosen, regardless of initial appearance.
  • זֶ֔ה (zeh): "this [man]". This demonstrative pronoun used for Saul conveys condescension and dismissal. It strips him of his newly conferred title and reduces him to an ordinary, unremarkable individual in their eyes, underscoring their contempt.

• And they despised him: (וַיִּבְזֻה֛וּ vaiyizbuhu)

  • From בָּזָה (bazah), "to despise," "scorn," "treat with contempt," "disdain." This goes beyond questioning; it's a profound, emotional rejection rooted in scorn and a devaluing of his person and position. It shows deep contempt for his person and the authority conferred upon him.

• and brought him no present: (וּמִנְחָ֥ה לֹֽא־הֵבִיא֖וּ לֽוֹ umincha lo hevihu lo)

  • מִנְחָה (Minchah): A "gift," "present," "tribute," or "offering." In a political or royal context, it specifically signified homage, submission, and loyalty to a sovereign or a superior. Kings and subjects exchanged presents to formalize relationships and tribute was a common feature.
  • לֹא (lo): "not". The negation is key; it signifies a deliberate refusal.
  • הֵבִיא֖וּ (hevi'u): "they brought".
  • Refusal to bring a present was a direct, public act of insubordination and a declaration of non-allegiance to Saul as king, undermining his authority from the outset.

• But he held his peace: (וַיְהִי֙ כְּמַחֲרִֽישׁ vayihi kmahchahrisch)

  • כְּמַחֲרִֽישׁ (kmahchahrisch): From חָרַשׁ (charash), "to be silent," "keep quiet," "hold one's peace." The participle form suggests an ongoing state or attitude of silence.
  • Saul's silence here is profound. It's not born of weakness but suggests patience, wisdom, humility, and trust that God would vindicate his chosen king. It's a contrast to immediate retaliation, demonstrating restraint fitting a leader who understands divine appointment, a quality often lauded in leaders and seen in Christ's own responses to scorn (Isa 53:7, Matt 26:63). This quiet endurance allowed time for God to prove His choice, which happened quickly in the following chapter.

• "worthless fellows said, 'How can this man save us?' And they despised him...": This group's assessment of Saul reveals their carnal judgment. They see only his external appearance or perceived lack of immediate, overwhelming power, not discerning God's choice or the potential for divine enablement. Their "how" is rooted in skepticism and pride, demonstrating a human tendency to challenge God's ways and chosen instruments, similar to Israel's demand for a king in the first place, rather than trusting divine providence.

• "...brought him no present. But he held his peace.": The contrast between their active rebellion (verbal questioning, public contempt, refusal of tribute) and Saul's passive, dignified silence is striking. It immediately positions Saul as a leader who operates under a different dynamic—one of patience and perhaps waiting for divine vindication, rather than asserting himself with immediate force or defending his position with words. This act of "holding his peace" becomes a crucial test of his character and an indicator of a true leader's humility and reliance on God.

1 Samuel 10 27 Bonus section

The "worthless fellows" in 1 Samuel 10:27 foreshadow later opponents of divinely appointed leaders throughout the Bible, notably those who scorned and rejected Jesus Christ Himself, questioning His authority and refusing to offer Him honor. The use of "Belial" points to a deeper spiritual antagonism behind mere political dissent. It implies not just personal opposition, but a spirit of rebellion against God's order. Saul's silence can be interpreted as an initial act of humility, a key trait for leadership under God, contrasting sharply with the immediate self-assertion often expected of human kings. It also serves as a test of Saul's character; his response to disrespect reveals his composure and reliance on divine vindication, which becomes a standard by which all kings in Israel (including Saul himself in later instances, like when Nabal scorned David) would implicitly be measured. This early opposition and Saul's silent endurance serve to underscore the divine nature of his anointing: true leadership, even when initially doubted by men, is confirmed by God's action.

1 Samuel 10 27 Commentary

1 Samuel 10:27 immediately introduces a significant challenge to Saul's newly established kingship, revealing that not all Israel rejoiced in his appointment. The "worthless fellows" (literally "sons of Belial") represent a faction defined not merely by political opposition but by deep moral corruption and disrespect for God's chosen authority. Their scornful question, "How can this man save us?" highlights a fundamental distrust in God's choice and Saul's ability to fulfill the kingly duty of deliverance. This echoes Israel's deeper rejection of God as their true King in 1 Samuel 8. The deliberate withholding of a "present" (Minchah) was a culturally potent act of rebellion, openly signaling a refusal to recognize Saul's legitimacy or swear allegiance. Crucially, Saul's response—"he held his peace"—is a remarkable display of restraint, humility, and faith. Instead of reacting with anger or force, he patiently waited, implicitly trusting that God would vindicate His own choice. This measured response distinguishes Saul's early leadership and sets a pattern of allowing God to demonstrate His power and solidify the kingship, which indeed occurs swiftly in the next chapter with the victory over the Ammonites (1 Sam 11). This quiet endurance serves as a leadership lesson: true authority, especially divinely granted, sometimes gains strength not through immediate confrontation, but through patient, trusting silence, allowing divine providence to unfold.