1 Samuel 9:1 - Meaning and Application

We are here told, first, what a good family Saul came from. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, and so was the New Testament Saul, also called Paul, who mentions this as a point of honor, because Benjamin was a favored tribe (Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5). That tribe had been brought very low by the terrible war over Gibeah, and there was great trouble in finding wives for the 600 men who were the poor survivors of it. No wonder this tribe is called, with good reason, the smallest of the tribes of Israel (1 Samuel 9:21).

Saul rose, as it were, from a dry ground. Though Benjamin was the smallest tribe, it was first in honor, because God gives greater honor to the part that seems weaker (1 Corinthians 12:24). Saul’s father was Kish, a mighty man of power, or, as the margin says, a man of substance. That may mean he was bold in spirit, strong in body, and wealthy in estate. Since the land belonging to Benjamin was divided among only 600 men, their portions were likely much larger than those of the other tribes, which helped make up somewhat for their small numbers.

Second, we are told what a fine figure Saul cut. There is no mention here of his wisdom, virtue, learning, or devotion, or any other qualities of mind. Instead, the focus is on his body: he was tall, well-built, handsome, and impressive in appearance. Among all the children of Israel, there was no one better-looking than he. It was as if nature had marked him out for rule, since he was taller than any of the people by a head and shoulders, making him fit to stand against the giants of Gath, the Philistine champions.

When God chose a king after his own heart, he chose one who was not especially notable for height or outward display, but for the innocence and sweetness seen in him (1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Samuel 16:12). But when he gave the people the kind of king they wanted, one who would satisfy their desire for outward greatness, he chose this very tall man, who would at least look like a king. Yet it does not seem that Saul was much stronger than other men, only much taller. Samson was stronger, but the people despised him, bound him, and handed him over to the Philistines. So it was just that they were now given a king who, though unusually tall, was still weak like other men. They wanted a king like the nations, and the nations commonly chose large, impressive men for their kings.