1 Samuel 9:2 kjv
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 9:2 nkjv
And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
1 Samuel 9:2 niv
Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.
1 Samuel 9:2 esv
And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
1 Samuel 9:2 nlt
His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel ? head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.
1 Samuel 9 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 10:23 | ...he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. | Reiteration of Saul's extraordinary height. |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature... for the LORD sees not as man sees: for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” | God's differing criterion for kingship. |
| Deut 17:15 | ...you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses; one from among your brothers you shall set as king over you... | Requirement for a king from "among" them. |
| 1 Sam 8:5 | ...“Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” | Israel's demand for a human king, like others. |
| Ps 147:10 | He does not delight in the strength of the horse, nor does he take pleasure in the legs of a man, | God's disinterest in physical strength/appearance. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | Saul's initial strengths later become vulnerabilities. |
| 2 Cor 10:10 | "For his letters," they say, "are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account." | Contrast of physical presence vs. spiritual power. |
| Isa 53:2 | For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. | Prophecy of Christ's un-impressive physical appearance. |
| Ps 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. | Relying on human strength vs. divine power. |
| Prov 31:30 | Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. | Vanity of physical appearance, echoing a spiritual lesson. |
| Ezek 28:17 | Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor... | Danger of pride linked to appearance (though referring to king of Tyre). |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast in his might, nor let the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me..." | Against boasting in human attributes. |
| Zech 4:6 | ...Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts." | Emphasis on divine power over human might/stature. |
| Judges 6:15 | Gideon: "...Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." | God often chooses unlikely, not physically impressive, leaders. |
| 1 Cor 1:26-29 | For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth... | God's choice often defies human expectations of greatness. |
| Heb 7:26 | For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. | A spiritual leader "exalted" in character, not stature. |
| Acts 7:20 | At that time Moses was born, and was beautiful in God's sight... | Beauty divinely appointed, but for a different purpose. |
| Num 24:17 | "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel..." | Prophetic imagery for a ruler, contrasting human criteria. |
| 1 Sam 17:42 | And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. | Goliath disdained David for his size, a mirror to Saul's strength. |
| Ps 45:2 | You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips... | Description of a future King, applying more directly to Christ. |
| Song 5:10 | My beloved is radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand. | Similar poetic praise for appearance, often applied metaphorically. |
| Judg 13:24 | The woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. | Samson, another physically remarkable judge, highlights potential pitfalls. |
1 Samuel 9 verses
1 Samuel 9 2 Meaning
This verse introduces Saul, Israel's first king, by focusing primarily on his remarkable physical attributes. He is presented as exceptionally handsome and of an imposing stature, standing head and shoulders above everyone else in Israel. This description highlights the kind of king the people of Israel desired—one who looked like a powerful, impressive leader fit to command and lead in battle, contrasting with God's later emphasis on the heart.
1 Samuel 9 2 Context
1 Samuel chapter 9 introduces Saul as a figure poised to become Israel's first king. This passage immediately follows Israel's fervent demand for a human king, desiring to be "like all the nations" (1 Sam 8:5) rather than relying solely on God as their sovereign. Saul, a member of the tribe of Benjamin (the smallest tribe, creating a subtle irony with his great stature), is introduced within a narrative frame concerning a lost donkeys incident. The historical context is a time of transition from the tribal confederacy ruled by Judges to a unified monarchy, largely driven by the existential threat posed by the Philistines. The people sought a strong military leader, and Saul's towering appearance fit their human perception of what a king should embody, contrasting sharply with the divine criterion of a right heart.
1 Samuel 9 2 Word analysis
And he had a son: This phrase sets up the lineage and introduction of a key figure, building upon the description of Kish in the previous verse.
whose name was Saul (Hebrew: שָׁאוּל, Sha'ul): Means "asked for," "desired." This name carries immense symbolic weight in the context of 1 Samuel 8, where the people of Israel "asked" or "demanded" a king from the Lord. Saul's very name, therefore, prophetically signals that he is the answer to the people's misguided request, a king chosen by human desire rather than solely by divine initiative in the manner God prefers.
a choice (Hebrew: מִבְחָר, mivchar): Signifies "chosen," "selected," "the very best." It conveys the idea of prime quality, highlighting that Saul was not just good, but the pinnacle among his peers. This suggests he was pre-eminent in the eyes of others.
and handsome (Hebrew: וָטֹוב וְיָפֶה, ve-tov ve-yafeh): A combination meaning "good and beautiful." Tov can indicate moral goodness, but primarily here with yafeh, it denotes physical attractiveness and perfection. This phrase emphasizes his striking appearance, often seen as a mark of divine favor or a desired trait for leadership in the ancient world.
young man (Hebrew: בָּחוּר, bachur): Refers to a vigorous, active youth. This portrays Saul as being in the prime of his life, full of energy and potential, desirable qualities for a warrior-king.
there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel: This strong negation emphasizes Saul's unparalleled physical attractiveness. It asserts his unique standing and visually impressive nature within the entire Israelite population, setting him apart in a way that would naturally draw human attention and admiration.
From his shoulders upward: This is an idiomatic phrase precisely describing his remarkable height. It means that his head and shoulders were visibly higher than those around him, literally making him stand out from the crowd.
he was taller than any of the people: This direct statement, reinforced by the "from his shoulders upward" detail, underlines his immense physical stature. In ancient cultures, great height was often associated with power, authority, and divine favor, making Saul a natural candidate for the type of leader Israel sought.
a choice and handsome young man; there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel: This word group stresses Saul's physical perfection and uniqueness among his people. It's a key observation highlighting why the people of Israel, who were focused on external attributes, would readily accept him as king. This aligns with worldly standards of leadership where physical impressiveness is often prioritized.
From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people: This phrase emphatically details Saul's towering physical presence. It ensures the reader grasps the full extent of his extraordinary height, presenting him as an imposing figure designed to embody the strength and authority expected of a king chosen by human standards.
1 Samuel 9 2 Bonus section
The description of Saul's exceptional physical appearance reflects ancient Near Eastern cultural expectations where a king's imposing presence was often seen as a sign of his fitness to rule and lead in battle. Such leaders were thought to command respect and inspire fear in enemies. However, this emphasis on outward appearance in 1 Samuel serves a literary and theological purpose: it contrasts with God's selection criteria later seen in David's anointing (1 Sam 16:7), where the Lord explicitly looks at the heart rather than external form. This subtly introduces a major theme of the Deuteronomistic History concerning God's unique ways contrasting with human perceptions and values. The name "Saul," meaning "asked for," subtly reinforces the narrative's irony: this king is precisely what the people asked for, embodying their misguided priorities over divine wisdom.
1 Samuel 9 2 Commentary
1 Samuel 9:2 is pivotal as it introduces King Saul through the lens of physical prowess and outward impressiveness, criteria valued by the people but often downplayed by God. Saul perfectly embodied Israel's desires for a human king who could "go out before us and fight our battles" (1 Sam 8:20). His unmatched handsomeness and exceptional height marked him as visually fit for leadership among men. However, this verse, while setting him apart physically, implicitly sets up a significant spiritual contrast later in the narrative, foreshadowing that mere physical superiority does not guarantee spiritual obedience or effective leadership in God's eyes. It underscores Israel's reliance on external show rather than divine guidance, which ultimately paved the way for Saul's tragic downfall despite his initially impressive presentation.