1. a mighty man of power—that is, of great wealth and substance. The family was of high consideration in the tribe of Benjamin, and therefore Saul's words must be set down among the common forms of affected humility, which Oriental people are wont to use. read more
Saul’s background 9:1-2Saul ("Asked [of God]," cf. 1 Samuel 8:10) came from good Benjamite stock. His father was a man of property and influence. The same Hebrew expression, gibbor hayil, translated "valor," describes Boaz in Ruth 2:1 and King Jeroboam I in 1 Kings 11:28 (cf. 1 Samuel 16:18). Saul himself was physically impressive, tall, and handsome. At this time he would have been in his late 20s (cf. 1 Samuel 13:1). God gave the people just what they wanted. read more
2. The anointing of Saul 9:1-10:16In chapters 9-11 the writer painted Saul as the ideal man to serve as king from the human viewpoint. This pericope (1 Samuel 9:1 to 1 Samuel 10:16) sets forth his personal conduct. [Note: See the series of three articles on Saul by W. Lee Humphries listed in the bibliography of these notes. Especially helpful is, "The Tragedy of King Saul: A Study of the Structure of 1 Samuel 9-31."] read more
Saul and Samuel meetFor the picture of Samuel in this c, as a person of local rather than national importance, cp. Intro. § 6. On early prophecy, see Intro. § 4.1 Samuel 9:1 to 1 Samuel 10:16 comes from a different source from 1 Samuel 8 : see intro. there. The author of this section gives no hint that the choice of a king was displeasing to God. But we meet with the views of 1 Samuel 8 again when we come to 1 Samuel 10:17.1. Power] RV ’valour.’ 4, 5. The districts of Shalisha, Shalim, and Zuph... read more
(1) Saul.—The inspired compiler of these books—having related the circumstances which accompanied the people’s request to the last of the judges for a king—closed the first part of the story of this momentous change in the fortunes of the chosen people with the words of the prophet-judge, bidding the representative elders to return to their homes, and wait the result of his solemn communing with the Eternal Friend of Israel on the subject of this king they so earnestly desired.The Eternal... read more
The Choice Young Man 1 Samuel 9:0 This was Saul the son of Kish. This description was given of the Benjamite early in life, and as a young man he was in some respects at least most exemplary. It is a mistake to think of Saul as throughout an objectionable and wicked character. His later life was most unsatisfactory; but as we have him here, the son of Kish is not without many admirable traits. I. The first thing to notice about young Saul is his fine physique. As he is introduced to us, the... read more
CHAPTER XI.SAUL BROUGHT TO SAMUEL.1 Samuel 9:1-14.GOD’S providence is a wonderful scheme; a web of many threads, woven with marvelous skill; a network composed of all kinds of materials, great and small, but so arranged that the very smallest of them is as essential as the largest to the completeness of the fabric. One would suppose that many of the dramas of the Old Testament were planned on very purpose to show how intimately things secular and things sacred, as we call them, are connected... read more
2. The Story of Saul and His Anointing CHAPTERS 9:1-10:16 1. Saul the son of Kish and the lost asses (1 Samuel 9:1-10 ) 2. Samuel and Saul (1 Samuel 9:11-24 ) 3. Saul anointed King (1 Samuel 9:25-27 ; 1 Samuel 10:1-16 ) And now the Lord gives them a king according to their choice. “He should possess all the natural attractions and martial qualities which the people could desire in their king; he should reflect their religious standpoint at their best; but he should also represent their... read more
9:1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name [was] Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a {a} mighty man of power.(a) That is, both valiant and rich. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 9:1
1 Samuel 9:1. A mighty man of power— A strong man. Houb. This seems to be the true interpretation, as Saul's family was not considerable for its wealth or dignity. See 1Sa 9:21 and chap. 1 Samuel 10:27. read more