I Samuel 10:14-16 · Bible study
1 Samuel 10:14-16 Commentary: Saul's Silence About the Kingdom
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Saul hide the anointing from his uncle? This study examines the tension between divine calling and human discretion in I Samuel 10:14-16.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Saul tells his uncle about the donkeys and Samuel but hides the prophecy about the kingdom, raising questions about discretion, obedience, and modesty.
- Key words: dod (uncle/beloved, H1730); nagad (tell/declare, H5046) in emphatic infinitive absolute form; melukhah (kingship, H4410).
- Main debate: Whether Saul’s silence reflects humble obedience, prudent caution, or a flaw in his character.
- Theological theme: The hiddenness of God’s call before its public manifestation; the tension between private anointing and public office.
- Best use: A pastoral case study on timing, discretion, and waiting on God’s timing in leadership.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
14Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where did you go?” “To look for the donkeys,” Saul replied. “When we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”
15“Tell me,” Saul’s uncle asked, “what did Samuel say to you?”
16And Saul replied, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But Saul did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.
WEB World English Bible 2000
14Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” He said, “To seek the donkeys. When we saw that they were not found, we came to Samuel.”
15Saul’s uncle said, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you.”
16Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys were found.” But concerning the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel spoke, he didn’t tell him.
KJV King James Version 1769
14And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.
15And Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.
16And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
14And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses; and when we saw that they were not found, we came to Samuel.
15And Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.
16And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But concerning the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
14and the uncle of Saul saith unto him, and unto his young man, `Whither went ye?' and he saith, `To seek the asses; and we see that they are not, and we come in unto Samuel.'
15And the uncle of Saul saith, `Declare, I pray thee, to me, what Samuel said to you?'
16And Saul saith unto his uncle, `He certainly declared to us that the asses were found;' and of the matter of the kingdom he hath not declared to him that which Samuel said.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
14And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses; and when we saw that they were nowhere, we went to Samuel.
15And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said to you.
16And Saul said to his uncle, He told us for certain that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he told him not.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
14And Saul's uncle said to him, and to his servant: Whither went you? They answered: To seek the asses: and not finding them, we went to Samuel.
15And his uncle said to him: Tell me what Samuel said to thee.
16And Saul said to his uncle: He told us that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom of which Samuel had spoken to him, he told him not.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Samuel 10:14
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Saul deliberately withheld the news of his anointing as king. The Hebrew in verse 16 uses an emphatic construction: haggid higgid (infinitive absolute + finite verb from nagad), meaning “he certainly told” or “he told plainly.” Saul reports only the recovery of the donkeys, the public, mundane detail, and says nothing about the kingdom. Matthew Henry and Wesley read this as modesty and obedience to Samuel’s earlier instruction to keep the matter private. Gill adds that Saul may have feared disbelief from his family or wanted to avoid envy. Keil and Delitzsch see it as part of Saul’s new heart: he is now a king who knows when to speak and when to remain silent. The consensus is that Saul’s silence is not deception but discretion, though the text leaves his exact motivation unstated.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: It is clear that Saul deliberately did not tell his uncle about the kingship, and that this silence serves as a transition between private anointing and public selection.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of Saul’s uncle | Most commentators identify him as Ner (Saul’s paternal uncle and father of Abner), as supported by 1 Samuel 14:50. | Adam Clarke argues the word <em>dod</em> might mean ‘friend’ rather than ‘uncle,’ though this is a minority view. |
| Saul’s motive for secrecy | All sources agree Saul intentionally withheld the kingship message from his uncle. | Some (Wesley, Matthew Henry) emphasize obedience to Samuel and humility. Gill adds prudence, Saul may have feared disbelief or envy. Keil sees it as part of Saul’s transformed heart. |
| Moral evaluation of Saul’s silence | The narrative does not condemn Saul’s silence; it is presented without comment. | Protestant commentators tend to view it positively as modesty. Catholic and Anglican tradition (e.g., Cambridge Bible) note Saul’s restraint but also observe that later events show his character flaws. |
Historical & Cultural Context
These verses occur in the immediate aftermath of Saul’s secret anointing by Samuel (1 Samuel 9:27, 10:1). The narrative slows to show Saul returning to ordinary life: he meets his uncle, who asks a natural question about his trip. The uncle’s persistence, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you” (v. 15), suggests he sensed something extraordinary. Saul had been gone days seeking lost donkeys (1 Samuel 9:3), and now he appears transformed, having prophesied with a band of prophets (1 Samuel 10:10, 12). The uncle’s question is reasonable; the prophet Samuel was not simply a donkey-finder but Israel’s national leader.
Culturally, ancient Near Eastern families expected transparency about significant encounters, especially with a prophet. The term dod (H1730) can mean “uncle” or “beloved friend,” and Gill notes the Targum identifies him as Ner, Saul’s uncle and father of Abner (cf. 1 Samuel 14:50). The phrase “high place” in verse 13 likely refers to the site of the sacrificial feast where Samuel had anointed Saul. Saul’s return to Gibeah, his hometown, reconnects him to family and routine before his public selection by lot at Mizpah (1 Samuel 10:17, 21).
Literarily, this passage functions as a pivot between private calling and public installation. The narrator highlights Saul’s restraint: he knows a secret that will soon transform Israel, yet he says nothing. This silence contrasts with the shouting of the people later (v. 24) and underscores the theme of God’s hidden work before its public revelation.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources (commentaries from Clarke, Barnes, Cambridge, Gill, Keil-Delitzsch, Lange, Matthew Henry, Wesley) note no significant textual variants in these verses. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts. The only minor variation is in the LXX rendering of “certainly told” but this does not affect meaning.
Reception History
Early church writers such as Origen and Chrysostom saw Saul’s secrecy as a type of the hidden nature of Christ’s kingship before his public ministry. During the Reformation, commentators like Calvin and Luther focused on Saul’s obedience to the prophetic word, using this passage to illustrate the proper timing of divine revelation. Matthew Henry (1710) read it as a lesson in modesty, noting that Saul “did not tell him” out of “an humble modesty.” In the Wesleyan tradition, John Wesley’s notes similarly emphasize obedience. Modern evangelical and Catholic readers often use this passage to discuss the ethics of withholding truth and the wisdom of patient waiting on God’s timing.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The ordinary question, The uncle asks where they went. Life is full of routine questions. But God works through everyday conversation.
- The selective answer, Saul tells the truth but not the whole truth. He reports the donkeys and Samuel, but omits the kingdom. What we choose to say and not say reveals our character.
- The secret anointing, Saul carries a weight he cannot yet share. God’s call often begins in hiddenness, requiring patience and trust.
Five-point outline
- Context of the question: the uncle’s curiosity after Saul’s transformation
- The content of Saul’s answer: factual but partial
- The Hebrew emphasis in verse 16: “He told us certainly”, Saul is emphatic about the donkeys but silent about the kingdom
- Possible motives for secrecy: modesty, obedience, prudence, or fear
- Application: learning when to speak and when to wait on God’s timing
Illustration hooks
- A job promotion that cannot be announced yet because the official paperwork hasn’t come through. You know, but you wait.
- Keeping a pregnancy secret during the first trimester. The news is real, but the time isn’t right.
- A surprise party you help plan but cannot mention. The secret protects the celebration.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Is it ever okay to withhold information from family, even if it’s true?
- How do I know when God wants me to speak about a calling and when to stay silent?
- Why would the biblical author include such a small, ordinary moment in the story of Saul’s rise?
Leading a Discussion
This short passage sits between Saul’s private anointing and his public election. It shows a moment of ordinary life where Saul chooses what to reveal and what to conceal. As you discuss these verses, consider how we handle the gap between what God shows us and what others know.
Discussion questions
- What does the uncle’s question (v. 14) reveal about his knowledge of Saul’s activities? Why might he be so interested in Samuel’s words?
- Saul answers truthfully but incompletely. In what situations is partial truth appropriate? When does it become deception?
- The Hebrew for “he told us plainly” (v. 16) intensifies the verb. Why does the writer stress that Saul emphasized the donkeys’ recovery?
- Verse 16b says “but concerning the matter of the kingdom… he didn’t tell him.” What reasons do the commentators give for Saul’s silence? Which do you find most convincing?
- How does this passage connect to the surrounding story of Saul’s anointing and later public selection by lot (10:17, 24)? What does it show about his character at this early stage?
- Have you ever held onto important news because the timing wasn’t right? What helped you decide when to share?
- This story shows God working through both public and private events. Where do you see God working quietly in your own life right now?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Samuel 9:3 | The donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, “Now take one of the servants with you, and arise, go look for the donkeys.” |
| I Samuel 9:10 | Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said. Come! Let’s go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was. |
| I Samuel 14:50 | The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. |
| II Kings 5:25 | But he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you come from, Gehazi?” He said, “Your servant went nowhere.” |
| Exodus 4:18 | Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brothers who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.” Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” |
| Judges 14:6 | Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on him, and he tore him as he would have torn a young goat with his bare hands, but he didn’t tell his father or his mother what he had done. |
| I Samuel 9:20 | As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don’t set your mind on them, for they have been found. For whom does all Israel desire? Is it not you and all your father’s house?” |
| I Samuel 9:27 | As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.” He went ahead, then Samuel said, “But stand still first, that I may cause you to hear God’s message.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke questions whether "uncle" is the right translation for the Hebrew word dod, noting it more commonly means "beloved" or "friend." He suggests the verse may refer instead to a close companion or familiar acquaintance rather than a blood relative.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that the narrative's order and the mention of Saul's servant suggest he found his uncle at the high place. This likely coincided with a solemn gathering involving prophets, similar to the earlier event described in the chapter.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary highlights that God gave Saul "another heart," a complete transformation of his inner life, turning a simple countryman into Israel's king and deliverer. The heart here means the whole mental and spiritual center of will, thought, and feeling. Saul's silence about his anointing is attributed to modesty or Samuel's implied direction for secrecy.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Geneva notes draw attention to Saul's restraint in telling his uncle only what Samuel said about the donkeys while keeping the matter of the kingdom entirely to himself. The note highlights Saul's modesty and discretion in not revealing the divine calling to his relative.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Saul kept the matter of the kingdom hidden from his uncle. He offers several reasons: Saul's modesty, concern that his relatives would not believe him or would envy him, and his desire to avoid any appearance of pursuing the crown for himself. Saul also followed Samuel's intention to let the public lot reveal God's choice.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch interprets the retort “who is their father?” as a claim that the prophets did not inherit their gift by birth, meaning God could freely give the same spirit to Saul. They reject the textual variant “his father” because Gibeah’s residents knew Saul’s father well, making that question meaningless.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights that Samuel used the holy anointing oil reserved for priests, not ordinary oil, to consecrate Saul. This act, performed in secret, set Saul apart as the Lord's anointed, equipping him with the Spirit and
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that the most significant sign Saul received was not an external one but an internal transformation: God gave him a new heart. All his old concerns about the donkeys vanished, replaced entirely by the responsibilities of a king—war, justice, and public safety. This new fire in his breast was unfamiliar and complete.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley points out that the person's silence stems from two motives: obedience to Samuel's command to keep the matter secret, and a humble modesty that avoids drawing attention to himself. Both virtues together explain why he held back.