King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 9:21 Mean?

1 Samuel 9:21 in the King James Version says “And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of al... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? so: Heb. according to this word

1 Samuel 9:21 · King James Version


Context

19

And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.

20

And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? three: Heb. to day three days

21

And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? so: Heb. according to this word

22

And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.

23

And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.


Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

Saul's response reveals either genuine humility or strategic self-deprecation, possibly both. His rhetorical questions emphasize dual lowliness: Benjamin was the smallest tribe, and his family was the least within Benjamin. The language echoes Gideon's similar protest (Judges 6:15), establishing a pattern of God choosing the unlikely. Saul's reasoning, if sincere, shows appropriate awareness of his inadequacy for such a calling. Yet the mention of Benjamin's smallness requires nuance: the tribe had been nearly exterminated in the civil war of Judges 19-21, making their later provision of Israel's first king a remarkable restoration. Saul's question 'wherefore then speakest thou so?' (lamah dabbarta elai kadavar hazeh) expresses bewilderment at Samuel's suggestion. This moment of self-effacement stands in stark contrast to the pride that would later characterize Saul's reign.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Benjamin's decimation in the tribal war (Judges 20-21) had reduced them to a remnant. Their gradual recovery made Saul's emergence as king a testimony to tribal restoration. The pattern of God choosing smaller tribes and lesser families (Gideon from Manasseh, David from Judah's lesser line) reinforced the theological principle that 'God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble' (James 4:6).

Reflection Questions

  1. How should we respond when God's calling seems to exceed our qualifications or background?
  2. What does Saul's initial humility teach about the danger of forgetting our origins once we achieve success?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיַּ֨עַן1 of 21

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

שָׁא֜וּל2 of 21

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר3 of 21

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֲל֨וֹא4 of 21
H3808

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

בֶן5 of 21
H0
יְמִינִ֤י6 of 21

Am not I a Benjamite

H1145

a benjaminite, or descendent of benjamin

אָ֙נֹכִי֙7 of 21
H595

i

מִקַּטַנֵּי֙8 of 21

of the smallest

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

שִׁבְטֵ֣י9 of 21

of the tribe

H7626

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל10 of 21

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מִשְׁפְּח֖וֹת11 of 21

and my family

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

הַצְּעִרָ֔ה12 of 21

the least

H6810

little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble

מִכָּֽל13 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מִשְׁפְּח֖וֹת14 of 21

and my family

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

שִׁבְטֵ֣י15 of 21

of the tribe

H7626

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

בִנְיָמִ֑ן16 of 21

of Benjamin

H1144

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

וְלָ֙מָּה֙17 of 21
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

דִּבַּ֣רְתָּ18 of 21

wherefore then speakest

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלַ֔י19 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כַּדָּבָ֖ר20 of 21

thou so

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּֽה׃21 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


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 9:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 9:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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