1 Samuel 10:14
New International Version
Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where have you been?” “Looking for the donkeys,” he said. “But when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”

New Living Translation
“Where have you been?” Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant. “We were looking for the donkeys,” Saul replied, “but we couldn’t find them. So we went to Samuel to ask him where they were.”

English Standard Version
Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”

Berean Standard Bible
Now 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.”

King James Bible
And 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.

New King James Version
Then Saul’s uncle said to him and his servant, “Where did you go?” So he said, “To look for the donkeys. When we saw that they were nowhere to be found, we went to Samuel.”

New American Standard Bible
Now Saul’s uncle said to him and his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To look for the donkeys. When we saw that they were nowhere to be found, we went to Samuel.”

NASB 1995
Now Saul’s uncle said to him and his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To look for the donkeys. When we saw that they could not be found, we went to Samuel.”

NASB 1977
Now Saul’s uncle said to him and his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To look for the donkeys. When we saw that they could not be found, we went to Samuel.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Saul’s uncle said to him and his young man, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To look for the donkeys. And we saw that they were not anywhere, so we went to Samuel.”

Amplified Bible
Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And Saul said, “To look for the donkeys. And when we saw that they were nowhere to be found, we went to Samuel [for help].”

Christian Standard Bible
Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where did you go? ” “To look for the donkeys,” Saul answered. “When we saw they weren’t there, we went to Samuel.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul’s uncle asked him and his attendant, “Where did you go?” “To look for the donkeys,” Saul answered. “When we saw they weren’t there, we went to Samuel.”

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
Later, Saul's uncle asked him, "Where have you been?" Saul answered, "Looking for the donkeys. We couldn't find them, so we went to talk with Samuel."

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul's uncle asked him and his servant, "Where did you go?" Saul answered, "To look for the donkeys, and when we couldn't find them, we went to Samuel."

Good News Translation
Saul's uncle saw him and the servant, and he asked them, "Where have you been?" "Looking for the donkeys," Saul answered. "When we couldn't find them, we went to see Samuel."

International Standard Version
Saul's uncle told him and to his young man, "Where did you go?" He said, "To look for the donkeys, and when we saw that they couldn't be found, we went to Samuel."

Majority Standard Bible
Now 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.?

NET Bible
Saul's uncle asked him and his servant, "Where did you go?" Saul replied, "To look for the donkeys. But when we realized they were lost, we went to Samuel."

New Heart English Bible
then his uncle said to him and to his servant, "Where did you go?" And he said, "To seek the donkeys. When we saw that they were not found, we went to Samuel."

Webster's Bible Translation
And 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 no where, we came to Samuel.

World English Bible
Saul’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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the uncle of Saul says to him, and to his young man, “To where did you go?” And he says, “To seek the donkeys; and we see that they are not, and we come to Samuel.”

Young's Literal Translation
and 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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul's friend will say to him and to his boy, Whither went ye? And he will say, To seek the asses; and we shall see that nothing, and we shall go to Samuel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the uncle of Saul said to him, and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And they responded: “To seek the donkeys. But when we did not find them, we went to Samuel.”

New American Bible
Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where have you been?” Saul replied, “Looking for the donkeys. When we could not find them, we went to Samuel.”

New Revised Standard Version
Saul’s uncle said to him and to the boy, “Where did you go?” And he replied, “To seek the donkeys; and when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, Where did you go? And they said, To seek the asses; and when we found them nowhere, we went to Samuel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his paternal uncle said to Shaul and to his boy: “Where did you go?” And he said, “To seek the donkeys, and we saw that they were not, and we came to Shemueil”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And his kinsman said to him and to his servant, Whither went ye? and they said, To seek the asses; and we saw that they were lost, and we went in to Samuel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samuel's Signs Fulfilled
13And when Saul had finished prophesying, he went up to the high place. 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?”…

Cross References
Judges 6:29
“Who did this?” they said to one another. And after they had investigated thoroughly, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”

1 Samuel 9:3-4
One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants and go look for the donkeys.” / So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them.

1 Samuel 17:55-58
As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.” / “Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king. / So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. ...

1 Samuel 19:22-24
Finally, Saul himself left for Ramah and came to the large cistern at Secu, where he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “At Naioth in Ramah,” he was told. / So Saul went to Naioth in Ramah. But the Spirit of God came upon even Saul, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth in Ramah. / Then Saul stripped off his robes and also prophesied before Samuel. And he collapsed and lay naked all that day and night. That is why it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

1 Samuel 20:27-29
But on the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today?” / Jonathan answered, “David urgently requested my permission to go to Bethlehem, / saying, ‘Please let me go, because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he has not come to the king’s table.”

1 Samuel 21:1-2
Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” / “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.

1 Samuel 22:12-15
“Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. “Here I am, my lord,” he replied. / And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.” / Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard and honored in your house? ...

2 Kings 4:1-7
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” / “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” / “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. ...

2 Kings 6:8-12
Now the king of Aram was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” / Then the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful not to pass by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” / So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. ...

2 Kings 8:7-15
Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.” / So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” / So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” ...

Matthew 21:23-27
When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. / What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ...

Mark 11:27-33
After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him. / “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?” / “I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ...

Luke 20:1-8
One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him. / “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: ...

John 1:19-22
And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ...

John 7:25-27
Then some of the people of Jerusalem began to say, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? / Yet here He is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying anything to Him. Have the rulers truly recognized that this is the Christ? / But we know where this man is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, Where went you? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.

And he said

1 Samuel 9:3-10
And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses…

no where

2 Kings 5:25
But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.

Jump to Previous
Asses Donkeys Nowhere Samuel Saul's Searching Seek Servant Sign Uncle Whither Young
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Asses Donkeys Nowhere Samuel Saul's Searching Seek Servant Sign Uncle Whither Young
1 Samuel 10
1. Samuel anoints Saul
2. He confirms him by prediction of three signs
9. Saul's heart is changed, and he prophesies
14. He conceals the matter of the kingdom from his uncle
17. Saul is chosen at Mizpeh by lot
26. The different affections of his subjects














Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where did you go?”
This interaction occurs after Saul's anointing by Samuel, a pivotal moment in Israel's transition from a theocracy to a monarchy. Saul's uncle, likely Abner, who later becomes a significant military leader, inquires about their journey. This question reflects the cultural norm of familial accountability and the importance of kinship ties in ancient Israel. The inquiry also sets the stage for revealing Saul's encounter with Samuel, a prophet and judge, highlighting the divine orchestration in Saul's rise to kingship.

“To look for the donkeys,” Saul replied.
Saul's initial mission was to find his father's lost donkeys, a task that seems mundane but is significant in God's providential plan. The search for donkeys symbolizes Saul's humble beginnings and contrasts with his future role as king. This phrase also underscores the theme of divine intervention in ordinary circumstances, as God uses this search to lead Saul to Samuel. The mention of donkeys connects to other biblical narratives where God uses animals to fulfill His purposes, such as Balaam's donkey in Numbers 22.

“When we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”
Saul's decision to consult Samuel, a respected prophet, indicates the cultural practice of seeking divine guidance through prophets. This reflects the Israelites' reliance on prophetic insight for decision-making. Samuel's role as a prophet and judge is crucial, as he bridges the period between the judges and the monarchy. Saul's encounter with Samuel is a turning point, marking the beginning of his journey to kingship. This moment foreshadows the prophetic anointing and guidance that will characterize Saul's reign, albeit with eventual tragic consequences due to his disobedience.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Saul
The first king of Israel, chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel. At this point in the account, Saul is still a young man, not yet publicly recognized as king.

2. Saul's Uncle
A relative of Saul who inquires about Saul's recent activities. His questioning provides insight into Saul's initial reluctance to disclose his encounter with Samuel and his anointing as king.

3. Samuel
The last judge of Israel, a prophet, and the one who anoints Saul as king. Samuel plays a crucial role in transitioning Israel from a theocracy to a monarchy.

4. The Donkeys
The lost donkeys belonging to Saul's father, Kish, which set the stage for Saul's encounter with Samuel. This seemingly mundane event is used by God to bring about His divine purpose.

5. Ramah
The place where Samuel resides and where Saul goes to seek guidance after failing to find the donkeys.
Teaching Points
Divine Providence in Daily Life
God often uses ordinary circumstances to fulfill His extraordinary plans. We should remain attentive to how God might be working through our daily activities.

Humility and Reluctance
Saul's initial reluctance to share his anointing as king can be seen as humility. We should consider how humility plays a role in our own lives and leadership.

Seeking Godly Counsel
Saul's decision to go to Samuel for guidance highlights the importance of seeking wisdom from godly individuals. We should prioritize seeking counsel from those who are spiritually mature.

God's Timing and Revelation
Saul's journey shows that God's timing is perfect, and He reveals His plans at the right moment. Trusting in God's timing is crucial for our faith journey.

The Role of Family and Community
Saul's interaction with his uncle reminds us of the importance of family and community in our spiritual journey. Engaging with those around us can provide support and accountability.(14) Saul's uncle.--Most probably, this uncle was the subsequently famous Abner--so Ewald, Josephus, and others. Kish, the father of Saul, a quiet, plain man, evidently was quite content that his beasts were found, and that his son had returned in safety and so asks no curious questions about his son's journey. Not so Abner, who was a restless, ambitious man, and who, very probably, had heard something already from the servant who accompanied Saul (traditionally supposed to have been Doeg) of the strange honours paid to his nephew by the great and revered judge of Israel, the famous Samuel, and also of the long private interview between them. Abner, the uncle of the future king, an observant man, might well have been struck with the change that had passed over his nephew since he had last seen him; hence his question, "Tell me what Samuel said unto you?"

Verses 14-16. - Saul's uncle. According to 1 Samuel 14:50, 51; 1 Chronicles 8:33, this would be Abner. The conversation probably took place after Saul had returned from the Bamah and gone to his own home, for in so brief a summary much necessarily is omitted. It is curious that the conversation should have taken place with the uncle, and not with the father; but possibly the latter was too well pleased to have his son back again to be very particular in his inquiries. Not so Abner. He was evidently excited by his nephew s visit to the prophet, and struck perhaps by the change in Saul himself, and would gladly have heard more. But Saul does not gratify his curiosity. Of the matter of the kingdom... he told him not. It was not merely prudent, but right to keep the matter secret. An able man like Abner would probably have begun to scheme for so great an end. Saul s silence left the fulfilment of the prophet's words entirely to God.

CHAPTER 10:17-27 PUBLIC SELECTION OF SAUL AS KING (vers. 17-24).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Saul's
שָׁא֥וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

uncle
דּ֨וֹד (dō·wḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1730: To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle

asked him
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

and his servant,
נַעֲר֖וֹ (na·‘ă·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

“Where
אָ֣ן (’ān)
Interrogative
Strong's 575: Where?, whither?, when?, hither and thither

did you go?”
הֲלַכְתֶּ֑ם (hă·laḵ·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

“To look for
לְבַקֵּשׁ֙ (lə·ḇaq·qêš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

the donkeys,”
הָ֣אֲתֹנ֔וֹת (hā·’ă·ṯō·nō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 860: A female donkey

Saul replied.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“When we saw
וַנִּרְאֶ֣ה (wan·nir·’eh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

they were not to be found,
אַ֔יִן (’a·yin)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

we went
וַנָּב֖וֹא (wan·nā·ḇō·w)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֵלָ֛יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Samuel.”
שְׁמוּאֵֽל׃ (šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel


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OT History: 1 Samuel 10:14 Saul's uncle said to him (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 10:13
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