Acts 13 21

Acts 13:21 kjv

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.

Acts 13:21 nkjv

And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

Acts 13:21 niv

Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.

Acts 13:21 esv

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

Acts 13:21 nlt

Then the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 21 Meaning

Acts 13:21 is a succinct historical statement made by Paul in his sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. It encapsulates the pivotal transition in Israel's history from the era of the Judges to the monarchy. After a period of 450 years during which Israel was governed by judges, the people collectively expressed a desire for a human king, like the nations surrounding them, thereby rejecting God’s direct theocratic rule. In response to their persistent demand, God permitted them to have Saul, the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, as their first king, whose reign lasted approximately forty years. This verse highlights the tension between the people's desire and God's sovereign allowance, setting the stage for the introduction of David and, ultimately, the Messiah.

Acts 13 21 Context

This verse is part of Paul's profound sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, marking his first recorded comprehensive gospel address (Acts 13:16-41). He addresses Jews and "God-fearers," skillfully weaving a historical tapestry of Israel, beginning from the Exodus (Acts 13:17-18), through the wilderness and conquest of Canaan (Acts 13:19), and the period of Judges (Acts 13:20). Acts 13:21 seamlessly continues this narrative, chronicling the significant transition from a divinely led system to a monarchy chosen by the people. Paul uses this historical overview to establish a strong foundation, leading to his primary proclamation about Jesus as the promised Messiah, the descendant of David, who brings salvation and forgiveness of sins, a direct fulfillment and culmination of Israel's long history. The specific mention of Saul's tribe, Benjamin, subtly hints at the audience (many of whom would likely also be from Judah), providing historical depth. This entire discourse sets up a theological argument against the contemporary Jewish expectation of a political Messiah by emphasizing God's working through history and His ultimate choice of leadership.

Acts 13 21 Word analysis

• And afterward (Κἀκεῖθεν): A Greek conjunction (kai 'and' + ekeithen 'from there, thence') or a broader connecting phrase. It serves as a transition from the preceding historical period, specifically the 450 years of Judges (Acts 13:20). This highlights Paul's chronological approach to Israel's history, showing continuity and progression towards the Messiah.
• they desired (ᾐτήσαντο ēitēsanoto): From the Greek verb αἰτέω (aiteō), meaning 'to ask,' 'to demand,' or 'to beg.' Here, it carries the nuance of a strong request or a demanding insistence, rather than a humble petition. In the context of 1 Samuel 8, it refers to the persistent clamor of the Israelites for a king "like all the nations" (1 Sam 8:5), signaling their rejection of God's unique theocratic rule over them. This "desire" reveals a lack of trust in God's provision and guidance through the judges.
• a king (βασιλέα basilea): From the Greek noun βασιλεύς (basileus), meaning 'king' or 'ruler.' The significance is the shift from a charismatic, Spirit-anointed judge, chosen directly by God for specific tasks, to a permanent, hereditary monarchy. This fundamentally altered Israel's societal and governmental structure. While a king was prophesied (Deut 17:14-15), the people's timing and motivation for wanting one (to be "like all the nations") were rooted in rebellion against God's direct sovereignty (1 Sam 8:7).
• and God gave (ἔδωκεν edōken): From the Greek verb δίδωμι (didōmi), meaning 'to give' or 'to grant.' This emphasizes God's sovereign hand, even in their misdirected request. God "gave" not necessarily as an approval of their request's intent, but as a concession (Hos 13:11) within His greater divine plan. It signifies that even human choices that deviate from God’s ideal can still be orchestrated or permitted by Him to serve His ultimate purposes.
• unto them Saul (Σαούλ Saoul): The Hebrew name שָׁאוּל (Sha'ul) meaning "asked (of God)." Irony is evident in this name choice, as he was a king "asked for" by the people. Saul was the first king of Israel, chosen by lot but primarily presented based on the people's desire. His selection initiated the monarchical period.
• the son of Cis (Kish) (υἱὸν Κίς huion Kis): Identifying Saul's father, Kish (קִישׁ Qiyš), from 1 Samuel 9:1. Kish was described as a mighty man of wealth. This genealogical detail authenticates Paul's historical account for his audience who would be familiar with the Old Testament narratives.
• a man of the tribe of Benjamin (ἄνδρα ἐκ φυλῆς Βενιαμίν andra ek phylēs Beniamin): Saul’s tribal affiliation, Benjamin, is explicitly stated. Benjamin was traditionally the smallest tribe (1 Sam 9:21). This detail further confirms Saul's historical identity and adds depth to the narrative, as David, the subsequent king, was from Judah. It also highlights a sense of unexpectedness in the choice of a king from a minor tribe, or perhaps Saul’s humility before his anointing, contrasting with his later pride. Paul himself was a Benjamite (Phil 3:5), creating a subtle connection or historical parallel.
• by the space of forty years (ἔτη τεσσαράκοντα etē tessarakonta): 'Forty years' (τεσσαράκοντα tessarakonta) signifies a full generation, a common symbolic period in the Bible often associated with testing, wilderness wanderings, and periods of significant change or judgment (e.g., Israel in the desert for 40 years, Judgeships of Othniel and Ehud also 40 or 80 years, Goliath defied Israel for 40 days, Jesus’s temptation 40 days, resurrection period 40 days). It suggests a completed or defined epoch for Saul's rule, signifying the duration of this specific, God-permitted (but not ideal) kingship.

Words-group analysis:

• "and afterward, they desired a king": This phrase captures the crucial moment of the nation's spiritual lapse, choosing human governance over divine leadership, influenced by the surrounding nations rather than maintaining their distinct, consecrated identity.
• "and God gave unto them Saul": This highlights God's sovereign permission, not necessarily approval. While God fulfills their request, it is an act of "giving in anger" as Hosea 13:11 states. This demonstrates God's responsiveness to human free will, yet His ability to work even disobedient choices into His larger redemptive plan.
• "the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years": This full description validates the historical details, lending credibility to Paul’s message for his Jewish audience. The tribal affiliation provides specific historical grounding, while the "forty years" signifies the duration, pointing to the end of a specific divine arrangement or probation, setting the stage for the next phase in God's unfolding plan.

Acts 13 21 Bonus section

• Paul's condensed history: Paul, speaking to an audience deeply familiar with the Old Testament, intentionally condenses centuries of history into a few verses. This rhetorical strategy allows him to quickly move to the core of his message: the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus. He highlights key turning points to validate his lineage argument for Christ.
• Polemic against misplaced trust: While not directly polemical in tone, Paul's recounting of Israel desiring a human king functions as an implicit critique against reliance on human leadership or earthly power. Just as Saul's reign, chosen by human desire, proved inadequate and was eventually replaced by divine choice (David, and ultimately Christ), so too is human wisdom and power insufficient for true salvation and kingship, found only in Jesus.
• Significance of 40 years for Gentiles: While Jews would immediately understand the symbolism of "40 years," Paul's inclusion of it also educated Gentile God-fearers in the synagogue about these biblically significant periods of time and their implications in divine history.

Acts 13 21 Commentary

Acts 13:21 functions as a historical marker within Paul's sermon, efficiently summarizing a significant era in Israel's past. It reveals that the desire for a king arose not from divine initiative but from human longing to conform to pagan nations, an act fundamentally a rejection of God's unique theocratic rule. Yet, God, in His sovereign patience, conceded to their demand, raising Saul to the throne. Saul's forty-year reign serves as a probationary period, a testament to what happens when leadership is chosen by human preference rather than God’s ultimate design. Despite God "giving" Saul, this was a rule permitted but ultimately intended to fail, preparing the way for the establishment of the Davidic covenant and the true, eternal King, Jesus. This verse subtly contrasts human choices with divine purposes, setting up the subsequent narrative about David as the man after God's own heart, and ultimately, Christ.