I Samuel 10:17-27 · Bible study
1 Samuel 10:17-27 Commentary: The Public Confirmation of Saul as King
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Study the assembly at Mizpah where Saul was chosen by lot, the tension between divine kingship and human demand, and the mixed response to God’s provision.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The public selection of Saul by lot at Mizpah confirms God’s choice despite the people’s sinful demand for a king.
- Key words: La.khad (taken by lot, H3920), beliya’al (worthless, H1100), minchah (tribute/gift, H4503).
- Main debate: Does this account contradict Saul’s secret anointing in chapter 9, or are they complementary stages?
- Theological theme: Divine sovereignty working through human institutions; grace under the guise of judgment.
- Best use: A narrative on trusting God’s provision when human solutions feel easier than waiting on Him.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
17After this, Samuel summoned the people to the LORD at Mizpah
18and said to the Israelites, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hands of the Egyptians and of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’
19But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”
20Thus Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected.
21Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him.
22So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”
23So they ran and brought Saul, and when he stood among the people, he was a head taller than any of the others.
24Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”
25Then Samuel explained to the people the rights of kingship. He wrote them on a scroll and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, each to his own home.
26Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, and the men of valor whose hearts God had touched went with him.
27But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.
WEB World English Bible 2000
17Samuel called the people together to Yahweh to Mizpah;
18and he said to the children of Israel, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’
19But you have today rejected your God, who himself saves you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said to him, ‘No! Set a king over us!’ Now therefore present yourselves before Yahweh by your tribes and by your thousands.”
20So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen.
21He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families and the family of the Matrites was chosen. Then Saul the son of Kish was chosen; but when they looked for him, he could not be found.
22Therefore they asked of Yahweh further, “Is there yet a man to come here?” Yahweh answered, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”
23They ran and got him there. When he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
24Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom Yahweh has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” All the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!”
25Then Samuel told the people the regulations of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book and laid it up before Yahweh. Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
26Saul also went to his house in Gibeah; and the army went with him, whose hearts God had touched.
27But certain worthless fellows said, “How could this man save us?” They despised him, and brought him no tribute. But he held his peace.
KJV King James Version 1769
17And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mizpeh;
18And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:
19And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes, and by your thousands.
20And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
21When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.
22Therefore they enquired of the Lord further, if the man should yet come thither. And the Lord answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.
23And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
24And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
25Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
26And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.
27But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
17And Samuel called the people together unto Jehovah to Mizpah;
18and he said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you:
19but ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saveth you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before Jehovah by your tribes, and by your thousands.
20So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
21And he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families; and the family of the Matrites was taken; and Saul the son of Kish was taken: but when they sought him, he could not be found.
22Therefore they asked of Jehovah further, Is there yet a man to come hither? And Jehovah answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the baggage.
23And they ran and fetched him thence; and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
24And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom Jehovah hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, Long live the king.
25Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before Jehovah. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
26And Saul also went to his house to Gibeah; and there went with him the host, whose hearts God had touched.
27But certain worthless fellows said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no present. But he held his peace.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
17And Samuel calleth the people unto Jehovah to Mizpeh,
18and saith unto the sons of Israel, `Thus said Jehovah, God of Israel, I have brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I deliver you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all the kingdoms who are oppressing you;
19and ye to-day have rejected your God, who is Himself your saviour out of all your evils and your distresses, and ye say, `Nay, but--a king thou dost set over us; and now, station yourselves before Jehovah, by your tribes, and by your thousands.'
20And Samuel bringeth near the whole tribes of Israel, and the tribe of Benjamin is captured,
21and he bringeth near the tribe of Benjamin by its families, and the family of Matri is captured, and Saul son of Kish is captured, and they seek him, and he hath not been found.
22And they ask again at Jehovah, `Hath the man yet come hither?' and Jehovah saith, `Lo, he hath been hidden near the vessels.'
23And they run and bring him thence, and he stationed himself in the midst of the people, and he is higher than any of the people from his shoulder and upward.
24And Samuel saith unto all the people, `Have ye seen him on whom Jehovah hath fixed, for there is none like him among all the people?' And all the people shout, and say, `Let the king live!'
25And Samuel speaketh unto the people the right of the kingdom, and writeth in a book, and placeth before Jehovah; and Samuel sendeth all the people away, each to his house.
26And also Saul hath gone to his house, to Gibeah, and the force go with him whose heart God hath touched;
27and the sons of worthlessness have said, `What! this one doth save us!' and they despise him, and have not brought to him a present; and he is as one deaf.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
17And Samuel called the people together to Jehovah to Mizpah.
18And he said to the children of Israel, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you;
19but ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your troubles, and have said unto him, [Nay,] but a king shalt thou set over us. Now therefore present yourselves before Jehovah by your tribes, and by your thousands.
20And Samuel caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
21And he caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, and the family of Matri was taken; and Saul the son of Kish was taken. And they sought him, but he was not to be found.
22Therefore they inquired of Jehovah further, Will the man yet come hither? And Jehovah answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the baggage.
23And they ran and fetched him thence; and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
24And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom Jehovah has chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted and said, May the king live.
25And Samuel told the people the right of the kingdom, and wrote it in the book, and laid it before Jehovah. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
26And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and with him went the band, whose hearts God had touched.
27But the children of Belial said, How should this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no gifts. But he was as one deaf.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
17And Samuel called together the people to the Lord in Maspha:
18And he said to the children of Israel: Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all the kings who afflicted you.
19But you this day have rejected your God, who only hath saved you out of all your evils and your tribulations: and you have said: Nay: but set a king over us. Now therefore stand before the Lord by your tribes, and by your families.
20And Samuel brought to him all the tribes of Israel, and the lot fell on the tribe of Benjamin.
21And he brought the tribe of Benjamin and the kindreds thereof, and the lot fell upon the kindred of Metri, and it came to Saul, the son of Cis. They sought him therefore, and he was not found.
22And after this they consulted the Lord whether he would come thither. And the Lord answered: Behold he is hidden at home.
23And they ran and fetched him thence: and he stood in the midst of the people, and he was higher than any of the people from the shoulders and upward.
24And Samuel said to all the people: Surely you see him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people. And all the people cried and said: God save the king.
25And Samuel told the people the law of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the Lord: and Samuel sent away all the people, every one to his own house.
26Saul also departed to his own house in Gabaa: and there went with him a part of the army, whose hearts God had touched.
27But the children of Belial said: Shall this fellow be able to save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents; but he dissembled as though he heard not.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Samuel 10:17
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that Samuel convened the national assembly at Mizpah to give public, divine endorsement to Saul as king. The lot was the chosen method because its outcome was understood to be determined by God, preventing dispute and reinforcing that the choice was not merely political (Barnes; Cambridge Bible). Keil and Delitzsch note that the public lot, following the secret anointing in chapter 9, was necessary to fully accredit Saul in the sight of the whole nation and to assure Saul himself of the certainty of his election. Matthew Henry and Clarke emphasize that the process, tribe, clan, then individual, mirrors the procedure used in Joshua 7 for Achan, confirming God’s direct hand. The consensus is that the assembly exposed the people’s sin of rejecting Yahweh as King (v.19) while simultaneously displaying God’s mercy in granting their request under divine supervision.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Complementary accounts: The secret anointing (ch.9) and public lot (ch.10) are two necessary stages: private designation for Saul, public confirmation for the nation (Keil & Delitzsch, Ewald).
- Contradictory traditions: The two accounts cannot be reconciled because one represents a prophetic initiative and the other a democratic/lot-based process; they stem from different source traditions (cited by Thenius, per Keil & Delitzsch).
- Constitutional monarchy: The passage emphasizes the limitations on royal power; the written ‘regulations’ establish that Israel’s king is always under God’s law (Barnes, Cambridge Bible).
What is clear: The passage presents Saul’s kingship as a divine appointment made through a public, transparent process, while simultaneously affirming that the people’s demand for a king constituted a rejection of God’s direct rule.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship with Saul’s secret anointing in 1 Sam 9 | Both accounts affirm God’s choice of Saul as king. | Some scholars, cited by Keil & Delitzsch, see a contradiction (why anoint then cast lots?), while harmonizers view the secret anointing as a private commissioning and the lot as the necessary public confirmation. |
| Saul’s motive in hiding | He hid among the baggage when the lot fell on him. | Clarke attributes it to modesty or fear; Matthew Henry suggests it may indicate a sense of unworthiness. Others propose it foreshadows his later reluctance or human frailty. |
| The nature of the ‘regulations of the kingdom’ | Samuel wrote a document defining the king’s rights and duties. | Wesley and Barnes think it is essentially a transcript of Deuteronomy 17:14-20. Cambridge Bible distinguishes it from the ‘manner of the king’ in 8:11, seeing it as a charter limiting royal power rather than warning about it. |
| The character of Saul at this stage | Saul is described as tall and striking in appearance. | Traditional readings see his physical stature as a natural qualification (Barnes), while critical readers note that the narrative may emphasize external attributes over spiritual fitness, previewing his failure. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Mizpah was already a sacred assembly site. Samuel had gathered Israel there years earlier for national repentance and deliverance from the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:5, 6). By summoning them to the same location, Samuel evoked that history of divine rescue and covenant renewal. The process of selection by lot, described with verbs like “taken” (Hebrew la.khad, H3920) which the same word used in Joshua 7 for the discovery of Achan’s sin, shows that the lot was treated as a sacred oracle. Barnes notes that “thousand” may refer to extended families, a standard subdivision in Israelite tribal lists. The “baggage” (Hebrew ke.lim, H3627) likely refers to the carts, packs and gear brought by the gathered pilgrims, forming a temporary camp. Saul’s hiding among this common clutter is striking, the towering new king buries himself in the ordinary. The “regulations of the kingdom” (v.25) probably echo Deuteronomy 17:14, 20, a constitutional charter limiting royal power. As Wesley observes, the people had forced a king from God “in anger,” so he came from an obscure tribe (Benjamin, not Judah) and without immediate enthronement in a capital; Saul simply went home to Gibeah, accompanied only by “the army whose hearts God had touched” (v.26). The phrase “children of Belial” (v.27) identifies those who rejected his authority not as mere skeptics but as lawless, worthless men, a term used elsewhere for those who flout God’s order.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants in this passage. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts. The main differences among translations (e.g., “God save the king” vs. “Long live the king”) reflect interpretive choices for the Hebrew phrase y’chi hammelech, not textual uncertainty. Clarke notes that no version contains the phrase “God save the king” exactly; the Hebrew simply says “May the king live.”
Reception History
The assembly at Mizpah has been read across church history as both a cautionary tale and a model of divine election. Early Christian writers (e.g., Augustine) used it to illustrate how God may grant human requests even when they spring from sinful motives, a theme later taken up by the Reformers. Calvin saw in Samuel’s rebuke a pattern for preaching repentance before instituting new leadership. The phrase “whose hearts God has touched” (v.26) became a touchstone for reflecting on how God prepares followers for a leader. In the Puritan tradition, the written charter was viewed as a prototype of constitutional government, limits on power established before God. Modern readers have noted the irony of choosing a tall king from a small tribe, and the passage has been invoked in discussions of the relationship between divine sovereignty and human political processes.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God’s sovereignty in human choices, The lot falls exactly as God wills; even the people’s demand for a king does not escape His control.
- God’s grace in giving what we ask, He grants a king despite the sin of rejecting Him, but does so with safeguards: a written charter, a chosen man, a divine witness.
- The divided response to God’s provision, Some follow with hearts touched by God; others despise and withhold tribute. Saul’s silence models restraint.
Five-point outline
- Samuel’s opening rebuke (vv.17-19): The prophet recites God’s deliverance and names the people’s rejection.
- Selection by lot (vv.20-21): The process eliminates all doubt; God chooses through the sacred lot.
- Saul hidden and revealed (vv.22-24): The king hides among the baggage, then stands head and shoulders above the crowd, a paradox of humility and visibility.
- Constitutional foundation (v.25): Samuel writes the rights and limits of kingship and deposits them before Yahweh.
- Mixed reception and Saul’s response (vv.26-27): Hearts touched by God accompany him; worthless men refuse homage. Saul holds his peace.
Illustration hooks
- Job interview by lottery: A company so divided over a new CEO that the board decides to draw names, everyone knows the outcome is out of their hands.
- Hiding on the first day of school: A student elected class president hides in the supply closet; the awkward contrast between the honor and the person’s self-doubt.
- Mixed welcome at a new job: Some colleagues go out of their way to help; others refuse to hand over needed files. The new hire chooses not to react.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did God give Israel a king when He was angry about the request?
- Why did Saul hide, and does that mean he was unfit or just humble?
- What was the “book of the kingdom” that Samuel wrote, and why does it matter today?
Leading a Discussion
This passage captures a turning point in Israel’s history: the people demand a king, God grants their wish with clear terms, and the chosen king emerges through a process that leaves no room for human manipulation. The assembly at Mizpah is both a court and a classroom, God’s patience and sovereignty are on full display. As you discuss, notice how the narrative holds together divine election, human sin, and the messy reality of community life under imperfect leadership.
Discussion questions
- Read verses 17-19. What does Samuel’s opening speech reveal about Israel’s motive in asking for a king? How does God frame His past deliverance?
- The lot is used to select the tribe, clan, and individual. Why do you think the author emphasizes the step-by-step process? What does this say about God’s involvement?
- Saul hides among the baggage when he is chosen (v.22). What might this reveal about his character at this point? Compare with his earlier secrecy in chapter 10:16.
- Samuel presents Saul by pointing to his height (v.24). How does this physical feature intersect with the people’s expectations for a king? Is this a strength or a limitation?
- Verse 25 mentions “the regulations of the kingdom” written in a book and laid before the Lord. Why is this important? How does it balance the king’s authority with accountability?
- Verses 26-27 describe two responses to Saul: those whose hearts God touched and those who despise him. What does this tell us about how God works in human loyalty and opposition?
- Saul “held his peace” in verse 27. Is this wisdom or weakness? How should leaders respond to those who reject their authority?
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)
| Judges 20:1 | Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was assembled as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, to Yahweh at Mizpah. |
| I Samuel 7:5 | Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to Yahweh for you.” |
| I Samuel 7:6 | They gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before Yahweh, and fasted on that day, and said there, “We have sinned against Yahweh.” Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah. |
| Judges 2:1 | Yahweh’s angel came up from Gilgal to Bochim. He said, “I brought you out of Egypt, and have brought you to the land which I swore to give your fathers. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you. |
| Judges 6:8 | Yahweh sent a prophet to the children of Israel; and he said to them, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you out of the house of bondage. |
| Judges 6:9 | I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land. |
| Nehemiah 9:9 | “You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red Sea, |
| Nehemiah 9:12 | Moreover, in a pillar of cloud you led them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way in which they should go. |
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
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke focuses on the selection process: the lot identified the tribe, family, and finally Saul himself. He clarifies that the phrase translated "God save the king" is actually "May the king live," with no such expression in the Bible. He also explains that the "stuff" where Saul hid refers to baggage, not a military band.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes reads "the manner of the kingdom" as a constitutional document, a written transcript of Deuteronomy 17:14-20 deposited beside the ark to limit royal power. He also clarifies that "thousand" means family or tribe, "among the stuff" refers to the camp's baggage, and the "band of men" are valiant soldiers set against the "children of Belial."
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary stresses that the private revelation to Samuel and the public choice by lot were equally declarations of God's will, with no contradiction between them. The public lot simply confirmed what Samuel already knew, giving the people the satisfaction of seeing God's choice made visible.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes emphasize that Israel's demand for a king was a direct rejection of God as their only deliverer. They draw attention to Saul's hiding as evidence of his reluctance, yet highlight that his imposing height still made him the people's choice. The notes also record that Samuel both defined the king's duty and recorded it as a binding standard before the Lord.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes Saul's genuine modesty: he hid among the baggage not from ambition but from a sense of unworthiness, knowing the kingship displeased God. Gill also notes that Saul's towering height made him a majestic figure, and that he wisely ignored the mockery of those who despised him.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
In this account, jfb highlights the careful balance between divine selection and constitutional order: God chose Saul by lot, but Samuel immediately recorded the king's rights and limits as a written charter deposited with the priests. Saul's concealment showed modesty or sudden nervousness, while the men whose hearts God touched went with him and the children of Belial withheld customary tribute.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch stresses that the public lot served not only to confirm Saul before the nation but also to strengthen his own certainty of God's choice. Saul hid not from reluctance or fear, since he knew he was already anointed, but from genuine humility and modesty.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes the stark contrast between God's repeated deliverance of Israel and their rejection of Him in demanding a king. He also notes Saul's humble modesty, hiding among the baggage, not seeking the throne, and the divided response: some hearts touched by God, others openly despising him.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley sees Saul hiding among the baggage as evidence of genuine humility and modesty. He draws a lasting principle: honor pursues those who flee from it, but runs from those who chase it. Wesley also notes the irony that Benjamin, not Judah, was chosen because the kingdom was given in anger, not love.