Saul Proclaimed King by Lot
1 Samuel 10:9-27
1 S.10.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כהפנתו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg
- שכמו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- מעם: PREP
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויהפך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחר: PREP
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- האתות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam 10:6 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same episode: 10:6 predicts that the Spirit of God will come upon Saul and that he will prophesy—10:9 reports the divine change of heart and fulfillment of signs.
- 1 Sam 16:13 (thematic): When Samuel anoints David, 'the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward'—similar motif of God acting to effect an inward change that enables new leadership.
- Ezekiel 36:26 (allusion): God promises 'a new heart' and a 'new spirit'—language and concept parallel to 'God changed his heart' in 1 Sam 10:9.
- Jeremiah 31:33 (thematic): The promise that God will put his law within them and 'write it on their hearts' echoes the idea of God effecting inward transformation.
- Acts 9:17 (structural): Ananias' laying on of hands causes Saul to 'be filled with the Holy Spirit' and a marked change in behavior—a New Testament instance of immediate divine reorientation accompanying conversion or commissioning.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he turned to leave Samuel, God gave him a different heart, and all those signs came upon him that day.
- And it came to pass, when he turned to go from Samuel, that God changed his heart; and all those signs came upon him that day.
1 S.10.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- הגבעתה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- חבל: NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- נבאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לקראתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m
- ותצלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויתנבא: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,m,sg
- בתוכם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Sam 10:5 (structural): Samuel predicts Saul will meet a company of prophets and be turned into a prophet — the events of 10:10 fulfill this earlier oracle.
- 1 Sam 19:20-24 (verbal): A later episode repeats the same motif/language: Saul encounters a band of prophets, the Spirit of God comes upon him, and he prophesies among them (explicit verbal and narrative parallel).
- Num 24:2 (thematic): Balaam’s prophecy begins when 'the Spirit of God came upon him' and he utters oracles — similar motif of divine spirit enabling prophetic speech.
- Acts 19:6 (thematic): In the NT, the Holy Spirit comes upon believers and they speak/prophesy; parallels the theme of the Spirit empowering inspired utterance among a group.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they came to Gibeah, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them.
- And they came to Gibeah; and behold, there met him a band of prophets; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
1 S.10.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- יודעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מאתמול: ADV,temporal
- שלשום: ADV
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- והנה: ADV
- עם: PREP
- נבאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נבא: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- רעהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- מה: PRON,int
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לבן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגם: ADV
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנביאים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 10:5 (structural): Sets up the scene: a band of prophets comes down from a high place with musical instruments, the very group among whom Saul is found prophesying (background to v.11).
- 1 Samuel 10:10 (verbal): Immediate context: reports that the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon Saul and he prophesied in the midst of the prophets — the event that provokes the reaction recorded in v.11.
- 1 Samuel 19:24 (thematic): A later repetition of the motif: Saul is again seized by prophetic frenzy among a company of prophets, and onlookers recognize and comment on his prophetic behavior, echoing the reaction in 10:11.
- Numbers 11:25 (allusion): Another biblical instance where the Spirit falls on individuals and they prophesy; provides a theological parallel for prophetic ecstasy as a Spirit-driven phenomenon similar to Saul’s experience.
Alternative generated candidates
- When all who had known him from before saw it, they were astonished and said one to another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
- And when all who had known him before saw it, behold, they were saying one to another, 'What has come upon the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?'
1 S.10.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משם: PREP
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ומי: PRON,interr
- אביהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- למשל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגם: CONJ
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנבאים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Sam 10:11 (verbal): Immediate parallel phrasing — the crowds likewise ask, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” (same proverb/question appears in the narrative just before 10:12).
- 1 Sam 10:5 (structural): Sets up the scene Saul encounters: a band of prophets coming down with musical instruments and prophesying — the occasion that leads to Saul’s unexpected prophetic behavior.
- 1 Sam 10:6 (thematic): Explains the cause: the Spirit of the LORD comes upon Saul and he prophesies among them, accounting for the surprising transformation that prompts the proverb.
- 1 Sam 19:23-24 (quotation): A later episode where Saul again joins prophesying prophets and the same proverb is cited — “Is Saul also among the prophets?” — showing the recurring motif and its established proverbial use.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then someone answered, “And who is their father?—is Saul also among the prophets?”
- And one of the men answered, 'And who is their father?' So the saying spread, 'Is Saul also among the prophets?'
1 S.10.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מהתנבות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הבמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 10:10-11 (verbal): Immediate context of the same episode: Saul meets a band of prophets at the high place, the Spirit of the LORD comes upon him, and he prophesies among them — shares wording and narrative function with v.13.
- 1 Samuel 19:18-24 (verbal): A later narrative repetition in which Saul is again seized by the Spirit and prophesies among a company of prophets (in Ramah), using similar language and demonstrating a recurrent motif in Saul’s story.
- Numbers 11:25-29 (thematic): The Spirit of Yahweh falls on elders (including Eldad and Medad), who begin to prophesy unexpectedly; parallels the theme of the divine spirit enabling unforeseen prophetic speech and expanding prophetic activity beyond expected individuals.
- 2 Kings 2:3-5 (thematic): References groups of ‘sons of the prophets’ at Bethel and Jericho and to prophetic activity at high places, paralleling the social/institutional setting of communal prophecy and the cultic/high-place locale implied by הבמה (the high place) in 1 Sam 10:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he had finished prophesying he came to the high place.
- And when he had ceased from prophesying he came to the high place.
1 S.10.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- נערו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלכתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לבקש: PREP+VERB,qal,infc
- את: PRT,acc
- האתנות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ונראה: VERB,qal,cohort,1,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אין: PART,neg
- ונבוא: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 9:1-12 (verbal): The same episode continued: Saul (sent by his father to seek the lost donkeys) and his attendant search and encounter Samuel — immediate narrative parallel and overlap with the lost-donkeys motif.
- 1 Samuel 10:2-7 (structural): Samuel’s prophetic instructions and signs given to Saul immediately precede v.14; verse 14’s plan to go to Samuel if the donkeys are not found connects directly to these promised signs and prophetic encounter.
- 1 Samuel 10:17-24 (thematic): The later public selection of Saul as king at Mizpah is the narrative outcome of the same sequence that began with the search for the donkeys — v.14 thus ties the mundane search to the revelation of kingship.
- 1 Samuel 16:11-13 (thematic): David’s anointing while engaged in ordinary duties (shepherding) echoes the motif of future rulers being revealed amid everyday tasks (Saul’s search for donkeys), highlighting divine election occurring within common life.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul said to his young man, “Come, let us go.” And he answered, “To seek the donkeys; and when we found that they were not, we went to Samuel.”
- And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, 'Where have you been?' And he said, 'To seek the asses; and when we saw that they were not found, we went to Samuel.'
1 S.10.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגידה: VERB,piel,imp,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 10:1 (quotation): Samuel's private anointing of Saul and the words he spoke to him — the verse in question asks the people to report what Samuel told Saul, so 10:1 is the source moment of that message.
- 1 Samuel 10:5–6 (verbal): Samuel's specific instructions about encountering the prophets and the Spirit coming upon Saul; these are the precise words people are later asked to recount.
- 1 Samuel 10:20–24 (structural): The casting of lots and public identification of Saul as the chosen one — the surrounding narrative shows why the assembly wants to know Samuel's words (to evaluate Saul's legitimacy) and how the community ratifies him.
- Deuteronomy 17:14–20 (thematic): Legal/theological background for Israelite kingship — concerns about who may be king and how a king should behave provide the wider context for the assembly’s inquiry into Samuel’s instructions about the new ruler.
- 1 Samuel 11:14–15 (structural): The public proclamation of Saul as king over Israel after his victory at Jabesh-Gilead — a subsequent moment of communal confirmation that parallels the earlier demand to disclose Samuel’s words as part of legitimizing Saul’s rule.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul said to his young man, “Tell me now what Samuel said to you.”
- And Saul's uncle said, 'Pray tell me what Samuel said unto you.'
1 S.10.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- דודו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגד: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- הגיד: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כי: CONJ
- נמצאו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,pl
- האתנות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלוכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- הגיד: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 9:15-17 (allusion): God tells Samuel that He has chosen Saul and Samuel is to anoint him — background to the claim that Samuel spoke about the kingship (דבר המלוכה).
- 1 Samuel 9:20-21 (verbal): Same episode with Saul speaking to his uncle about the lost donkeys and explaining his absence; closely parallels the language about the donkeys being found and what Samuel said.
- 1 Samuel 10:1 (thematic): Samuel anoints Saul and pronounces signs and the impending kingship — directly related to the 'matter of the kingdom' Samuel reportedly mentioned.
- 1 Samuel 10:17-24 (structural): Public selection of the king by casting lots and the people's recognition of Saul — the immediate narrative consequence of Samuel's announcement about the kingship referred to in 10:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- He replied, “He told us that the donkeys were found; as for the matter of the kingship, he did not tell us what he said.”
- And Saul answered his uncle, 'He told us that the asses were found.' But of the matter of the kingdom whereof Samuel spoke he told him not.
1 S.10.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצעק: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- המצפה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 7:5 (verbal): Samuel commands, 'Gather all Israel to Mizpah,' a direct verbal and locational parallel—both passages depict Samuel calling the people to Mizpah to seek the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 7:6 (structural): The people 'gathered together to Mizpah' and entreated the LORD; parallels the assembly and collective prayer/expectation summoned by Samuel in 1 Sam 10:17.
- 1 Samuel 11:15 (thematic): After deliverance the nation assembles 'to Gilgal' where Saul is confirmed as king before the LORD—similar motif of a national assembly gathered before Yahweh to resolve leadership and covenantal matters.
- Deuteronomy 31:11 (allusion): Moses commands that at set times 'all Israel' come to appear before the LORD—a covenantal precedent for summoning the people to the LORD for corporate action or decision, echoing Samuel's summons.
Alternative generated candidates
- Samuel called the people to the LORD at Mizpah.
- Then Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah,
1 S.10.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- העליתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואציל: VERB,hiph,impf,1,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- מיד: PREP
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ומיד: CONJ+PREP
- כל: DET
- הממלכות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- הלחצים: PART,qal,ptcp,m,pl,def
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 20:2 (quotation): The covenant-opening formula: 'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt'—same deliverance language used to ground Israel's obligations.
- Deuteronomy 5:6 (quotation): Deuteronomy repeats the covenant preface reminding Israel that Yahweh brought them out of Egypt—same verbal motif of divine deliverance.
- 1 Samuel 12:8 (verbal): Samuel's later address to Israel uses near-identical wording ('I brought up Israel out of Egypt')—an immediate narrative parallel within the same book emphasizing God's past deliverance.
- Deuteronomy 7:8 (thematic): Speaks of God's election and redemption from Egypt ('the LORD brought you out of Egypt with a mighty hand')—thematically related emphasis on deliverance as basis for covenant relationship.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to the people of Israel, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I brought Israel up from Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you.
- and said unto the people of Israel, 'Thus says the LORD God of Israel: I brought Israel up from Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all that oppressed you.
1 S.10.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתם: CONJ+PRON,2,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מאסתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- מושיע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- מכל: PREP
- רעותיכם: NOUN,f,pl,def,2,m,pl
- וצרתיכם: NOUN,f,pl,def,2,m,pl
- ותאמרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- תשים: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- עלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- ועתה: CONJ
- התיצבו: VERB,hitp,perf,2,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לשבטיכם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,mp
- ולאלפיכם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,2,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 8:7-8 (verbal): God tells Samuel the people's demand for a king is a rejection of God — language and conviction parallel the charge that they 'rejected your God' by asking for a king.
- 1 Samuel 8:19-20 (verbal): The people's explicit demand 'Give us a king to judge us' closely matches the congregation's insistence 'set a king over us' in 1 Sam 10:19.
- 1 Samuel 12:12-13 (thematic): Samuel's later summary rebukes the people for choosing a king and recounts their rejection of God's direct rule — a retrospective parallel to the same charge.
- Deuteronomy 17:14-15 (allusion): The law regulating Israelite kingship provides the constitutional background for the demand for a king and highlights the theological stakes of replacing God's direct rule.
- Judges 8:22-23 (thematic): Gideon's refusal to become king ('The LORD shall rule over you') contrasts with Israel's later insistence on a human king, underscoring the theological problem Samuel diagnoses in 1 Sam 10:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- And today you have rejected your God, who rescued you from all your calamities and distresses, and you said to him, ‘No—appoint a king over us.’ Now therefore stand before the LORD by your tribes and by your thousands.”
- And you have this day rejected your God, who saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations, and you have said to him, "No; set a king over us." Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your thousands.'"
1 S.10.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- שבטי: NOUN,m,pl,con
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילכד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
Parallels
- 1 Sam.10.21-24 (structural): Direct continuation: Samuel brings forward the tribe of Benjamin, casts lots and identifies Saul as the chosen man—same scene and procedure continued from v.20.
- 1 Sam.9.15-17 (allusion): Earlier revelation to Samuel that a man from Benjamin would be sent and anointed as leader—anticipates and provides the divine origination for the selection in ch.10.
- Judges 21:5-8 (thematic): An assembly of all Israel convenes and the tribe of Benjamin is singled out and dealt with (including use of lots/procedures) after the civil war—parallels the communal gathering and special treatment of Benjamin.
- Joshua 18:1-10 (thematic): All the congregation of Israel assemble to apportion the land and use lot-casting among tribes/families—parallels the motif of gathering all the tribes and making a decisive selection by lot.
Alternative generated candidates
- Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
- And Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
1 S.10.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- למשפחתיו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cstr,3,m,sg
- ותלכד: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- משפחת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- המטרי: NOUN,m,sg,def,propn
- וילכד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבקשהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- נמצא: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.9.16-17 (allusion): God had already revealed to Samuel that a man from Benjamin (Saul) would be chosen; earlier divine designation of Saul anticipates the selection here.
- 1 Sam.9.23-24 (verbal): Earlier account uses the same procedure—bringing the people forward and determining by lot—which parallels the tribal/familial selection language in 10:21.
- 1 Sam.10.22-24 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Saul is found hiding and then publicly presented as leader; these verses complete the action begun in 10:21.
- Josh.7.16-17 (thematic): Joshua gathers the tribes and calls them by families to identify a culprit (Achan); parallels the motif of assembling tribes/families to single out an individual.
Alternative generated candidates
- He brought the tribe of Benjamin up by its clans; the clan of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken, but they searched for him and he was not found.
- And he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families; and the Matri family was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken; and when they sought him, he could not be found.
1 S.10.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישאלו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- עוד: ADV
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- הבא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עוד: ADV
- הלם: DEM,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנה: PART
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- נחבא: VERB,nifal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הכלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 16:10-12 (verbal): Samuel asks about other sons and God points to the one hidden (David keeping the sheep). Parallel wording and the motif of God revealing a previously overlooked/hidden man as king.
- 1 Samuel 10:23-24 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: Saul is brought forward and publicly declared king. Structural parallel—private identification by God followed by public revelation and acclaim.
- 1 Kings 1:32-40 (thematic): Solomon is anointed and publicly established as king (contrasting with Adonijah’s claim). Thematic parallel of divine choice being revealed and enacted in a public ceremony of kingship.
- Psalm 78:70-72 (thematic): God chooses David ‘from the sheepfolds’ to shepherd Israel. The passage echoes the theme of God selecting a humble/hidden shepherd to be Israel’s leader, like Saul being identified while hidden among the baggage.
Alternative generated candidates
- They inquired again of the LORD, “Has another man come?” And the LORD said, “Behold, he is hiding himself among the baggage.”
- Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, 'Has the man come here?' And the LORD said, 'Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.'
1 S.10.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויקחהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- משם: PREP
- ויתיצב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בתוך: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויגבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מכל: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- משכמו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- ומעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 9:2 (verbal): Earlier description of Saul’s physical stature—’a choice young man... and taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward’—uses virtually the same language about his height.
- 1 Samuel 10:22 (verbal): Immediate context: the casting of the lot and the observation that there was no one like him and that he stood head and shoulders above the people—closely parallels the wording and scene.
- 1 Samuel 10:24 (structural): The next verse records Samuel’s public confirmation and the people’s acclamation of Saul as king, linking Saul’s conspicuous stature with his selection and public enthronement.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (thematic): Contrasting theological principle: God’s choice is based on the heart rather than outward appearance—this passage provides a thematic counterpoint to the emphasis on Saul’s physical stature at his selection.
Alternative generated candidates
- They ran and fetched him from there; and he stood among the people, and he was higher than all the people—from his shoulders upward he was higher than any of the people.
- 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.
1 S.10.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הראיתם: VERB,hifil,perf,2,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בחר: VERB,qal,perf,3,ms
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אין: PART,neg
- כמהו: PRT+PRON,3,ms
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וירעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- יחי: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 9:16-17 (verbal): Samuel is told to look for the man God has chosen (׳הנה האיש׳/׳אשר בחר־בו יהוה׳); both passages present God’s prior selection of Saul and Samuel’s public identification of him.
- 1 Samuel 11:14-15 (structural): After Saul’s victory the people formally renew the kingdom and make him king at Gilgal — a later public ratification and communal enthronement that parallels the acclamation in 10:24.
- 1 Kings 1:39-40 (verbal): At Solomon’s anointing the priests blow trumpets and the people cry 'Long live the king' (יחי המלך), the same acclamation formula used in 1 Sam 10:24.
- 2 Samuel 5:3 (thematic): The tribes of Israel come to anoint David king over all Israel; thematically parallels the people’s acceptance and the transfer of kingship authority in 1 Sam 10:24.
Alternative generated candidates
- Samuel said to all the people, “Have you seen the one whom the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”
- And Samuel said to all the people, 'Do you see him whom the LORD hath chosen? There is none like him among the people.' And all the people shouted, 'Long live the king!'
1 S.10.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויכתב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בספר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וינח: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לביתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 17:14-20 (thematic): Regulation for the monarchy including the king’s obligation to have a written copy of the law—parallels Samuel’s recording of the terms of the kingdom.
- Deuteronomy 31:24-26 (verbal): Moses ‘wrote the words of this law’ and commanded the book to be placed beside the ark—close verbal/functional parallel to writing and laying the record before Yahweh.
- Joshua 24:26-28 (structural): Joshua ‘wrote these words in the book of the law of God’ and afterward dismissed the people to their inheritances—mirrors the acts of recording and sending the people away.
- 2 Kings 22:8 / 2 Chronicles 34:14-15 (allusion): The book of the law is found, read, and handled as an authoritative document in the cultic/royal context—parallels the safeguarding and presentation of a written covenantal text.
Alternative generated candidates
- Samuel told the people the rule of the kingship and wrote it down in a book and laid it up before the LORD. Then Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
- Then Samuel set down the rights of the kingdom and wrote them in a book, and laid it up before the LORD; and Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
1 S.10.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לביתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cs+PRON,3,m,sg
- גבעתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- החיל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נגע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בלבם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 10:9 (verbal): In the same episode God effects an inward change in Saul—'God gave him another heart'—a close verbal parallel to 'God touched their hearts.'
- 1 Samuel 10:10 (structural): Immediately earlier the Spirit of God came upon Saul and prophetic activity occurred; both verses portray divine intervention producing a changed disposition and followers.
- Exodus 35:21 (thematic): Uses the motif of people whose 'hearts stirred' them to act (giving offerings); thematically parallels persons moved in their hearts to follow or respond.
- Acts 16:14 (verbal): 'The Lord opened her heart' (Lydia) is a New Testament verbal parallel describing God enabling receptivity—same idea of God-initiated turning of hearts.
- Romans 9:16 (thematic): Emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in who responds ('depends not on man who wills... but on God who shows mercy'), echoing the theme that God, not merely human choice, moves hearts to follow.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul also went to his home at Gibeah; and the men who had been stirred—whom God had touched in their hearts—went with him.
- And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and with him went the men whose hearts God had touched.
1 S.10.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בליעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מה: PRON,int
- ישענו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- ויבזהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- הביאו: VERB,hiphil,imperat,2,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מנחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כמחריש: PREP+PART,qal,act,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam 2:12 (verbal): Uses the same Hebrew phrase בני בליעל to label morally worthless men (here Eli’s sons); parallels the social judgment and contempt expressed in 10:27.
- 1 Sam 25:17 (thematic): Nabal is called a 'son of Belial' for his insolence and refusal to provide gifts/food; echoes the contempt and the withholding of a present described in 10:27.
- Judges 19:22 (verbal): The townsmen are characterized as בני בליעל and act with violent contempt toward a guest; parallels the term and the hostile, dishonoring behavior in 10:27.
- Ps 2:2 (thematic): The rulers and peoples 'plot' and scoff at the LORD’s anointed; thematically parallels the mockery and rejection of the anointed king in 10:27.
- 1 Sam 11:14-15 (structural): After Saul’s military success the people accept and crown him as king—this provides a structural/ narrative contrast to 10:27, where some scorn him and refuse to honor him.
Alternative generated candidates
- But some worthless men said, “How can this one save us?” and they despised him and did not bring him gifts; but he held his peace.
- But there were some worthless fellows who said, 'How shall this man save us?' and they despised him and brought him no presents; but he held his peace.
And it came to pass, when he had turned to go away from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs were fulfilled that day. And when they came to Gibeah, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
When all who had formerly known him saw it, they said, "Is this Saul also among the prophets?" and the people were astonished, one to another.
Then a man of the place answered, "And who is their father?"—and so it became a proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
When he had finished prophesying he came to the high place. And Saul's kinsman said to him and to his servant, "Where have you gone?" He said, "To seek the donkeys; and when we have sought them and cannot find them, we will go to Samuel." And Saul's kinsman said to him, "Please tell me now what Samuel said to you." And Saul said to his kinsman, "He informed us that the donkeys were found; as for the matter of the kingdom, he did not tell us the word that he had spoken."
Then Samuel called the people to the LORD. And Samuel said to the children of Israel, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I brought Israel up from Egypt, and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.
Yet today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and distresses, and you have said to him, 'No—set a king over us.' Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your thousands." And Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near; and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
He brought the tribe of Benjamin forward by families; and he took the Matrite family; and they sought Saul the son of Kish, but he could not be found. So they inquired further of the LORD, "Has the man come here yet?" And the LORD said, "Behold, he is hiding himself among the baggage."
Then they ran and brought him thence; and when he stood among the people he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the one whom the LORD has chosen? There is none like him among all the people." And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
Samuel explained to the people the rule of the kingdom, and wrote it down in a book, and laid it up before the LORD; then Samuel dismissed all the people, each to his home. And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and the men of valour who had been touched by God in their hearts went with him. But some worthless fellows said, "How shall this man save us?" and they despised him and brought him no present; yet he held his peace.