What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 10:21? Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans • By lot, Samuel narrows the field just as Joshua once did with Achan (Joshua 7:14), underscoring that “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). • Every Israelite sees that the choice of a king is God-driven, not man-driven (1 Samuel 8:7). • The spotlight on Benjamin, the smallest tribe (1 Samuel 9:21; Judges 20:47), reminds us that God delights in exalting what seems insignificant. and the clan of Matri was selected • The process moves from tribe to clan, confirming God’s precision in guidance (Numbers 26:55-56). • Each step removes human manipulation; Samuel merely presides, much like the apostles casting lots for Matthias (Acts 1:24-26). • No detail escapes the Lord—He knows where His chosen servant comes from (Psalm 139:1-4). Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected • God publicly validates what He told Samuel earlier: “This is the man of whom I spoke to you” (1 Samuel 9:17). • Saul’s lineage answers Israel’s demand for “a king like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5) yet still fulfills God’s law that a king be an Israelite brother (Deuteronomy 17:15). • That the choice rests on a Benjamite, not a Judahite, shows the monarchy is God’s prerogative, not tied to human expectation (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:27). But when they looked for him, they could not find him • Saul is hiding among the supplies (1 Samuel 10:22); his reluctance reveals humility mixed with fear, much like Moses’ hesitation (Exodus 4:10-13) and Jeremiah’s youthfulness concern (Jeremiah 1:6). • God exposes him, teaching Israel that their king must first be found by the Lord before he can lead them. • The scene foreshadows Saul’s later struggles with insecurity (1 Samuel 15:17), warning that private doubts can affect public leadership. summary 1 Samuel 10:21 shows God’s sovereign, step-by-step choice of Israel’s first king, narrowing from tribe to clan to man. Each stage underscores divine control, transparency, and purpose. Saul’s initial hiding highlights the tension between God’s calling and human frailty, setting the stage for his reign and reminding us that while God’s choice is perfect, the human vessel remains dependent on ongoing obedience and trust in the Lord. |
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