King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 10:21 Mean?

1 Samuel 10:21 in the King James Version says “When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

When 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.

1 Samuel 10:21 · KJV


Context

19

And 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.

20

And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.

21

When 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.

22

Therefore 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.

23

And 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When 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.

The selection progressively narrows: tribe to family (mishpachah, clan) to individual. The family of Matri, otherwise unknown, suggests Saul came from no distinguished lineage despite his father Kish being a 'mighty man of power' (9:1). When the lot definitively identified 'Saul the son of Kish,' the chosen one could not be found (lo nimtsa). This disappearance creates dramatic tension: God's clearly revealed choice is absent at his moment of presentation. The passive construction 'could not be found' leaves ambiguity - was he hiding intentionally, providentially delayed, or simply elsewhere? The Hebrew phrasing emphasizes the search's failure: they 'sought' (baqash) but he 'was not found.' This absence at coronation foreshadows Saul's spiritual trajectory: present for dramatic moments but absent when faithful presence was required.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The progressive narrowing through lots - tribe, clan, family, individual - reflects Israel's nested social structure. This method eliminated accusations of political manipulation; God alone determined the outcome. The Urim and Thummim, priestly lot-casting implements, may have been used for this selection.

Reflection Questions

  1. What might Saul's absence at his selection moment reveal about his character?
  2. How do you respond when God's calling finds you unprepared or absent?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיַּקְרֵ֞ב1 of 15

to come near

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

אֶת2 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שֵׁ֤בֶט3 of 15

When he had caused the tribe

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

בִּנְיָמִן֙4 of 15

of Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

מִשְׁפַּ֣חַת5 of 15

by their families

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

וַיִּלָּכֵד֙6 of 15

was taken

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

מִשְׁפַּ֣חַת7 of 15

by their families

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

הַמַּטְרִ֑י8 of 15

of Matri

H4309

matri, an israelite

וַיִּלָּכֵד֙9 of 15

was taken

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

שָׁא֣וּל10 of 15

and Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

בֶּן11 of 15

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

קִ֔ישׁ12 of 15

of Kish

H7027

kish, the name of five israelites

וַיְבַקְשֻׁ֖הוּ13 of 15

and when they sought

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

וְלֹ֥א14 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נִמְצָֽא׃15 of 15

him he could not be found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 10:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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