“And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.”
In this verse, we find Saul, who was chosen by God through the prophet Samuel to be the first king of Israel. The context of this passage is when Samuel anoints Saul as king and reveals to him that he will become the leader of Israel. After the anointing, Samuel gives Saul various signs to confirm the divine appointment.
In this particular verse, Saul is speaking to his uncle, but let’s examine the broader context to gain a better understanding.
1 Samuel 10 describes the events leading up to Saul’s anointing. Samuel had summoned all the tribes of Israel, and by casting lots, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. From the tribe of Benjamin, the family of Matri was selected, and finally, Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen by lot. However, when they searched for Saul, he was not found immediately, so they inquired of the Lord for his whereabouts. The Lord revealed that Saul was hiding among the baggage.
When they found Saul, Samuel informed him that he would be anointed as king over Israel. Samuel also foretold several signs that would confirm God’s choice, such as meeting two men by Rachel’s sepulcher who would inform him that the donkeys he was searching for had been found. Furthermore, Saul would encounter three men going up to God in Bethel, carrying various offerings of bread, wine, and a young goat. These signs were meant to assure Saul of the divine nature of his calling.
Returning to the verse in question, Saul tells his uncle that the man they had encountered earlier had informed them clearly about the recovery of the donkeys they had been searching for. However, Saul does not mention to his uncle anything about the matter of the kingdom that Samuel had spoken to him.
The significance of this verse lies in Saul’s response to the events that had taken place. Despite the clear signs and Samuel’s announcement about becoming king, Saul does not disclose this information to his uncle. This omission may reflect Saul’s humility or his initial hesitation to fully embrace the weight of the kingship that had been thrust upon him.
It is important to note that Saul’s journey as king of Israel unfolds with its own complexities and challenges, and his reign eventually takes a tragic turn due to his disobedience and lack of complete devotion to God. However, this specific verse sheds light on the early stages of Saul’s calling and his immediate response to the signs and words of Samuel.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 10:16 captures an interaction between Saul and his uncle, where Saul reveals the recovery of the donkeys but remains silent about the matter of the kingdom. This verse highlights the initial response and internal conflict Saul experiences after being anointed as the first king of Israel.
