1 Samuel 9:21

21 Saul answered, "But I'm only a Benjaminite, from the smallest of Israel's tribes, and from the most insignificant clan in the tribe at that. Why are you talking to me like this?"

1 Samuel 9:21 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 9:21

And Saul answered and said, am not I a Benjamite
Or the son of Jemini, the name of one of his ancestors, see ( 1 Samuel 9:1 ) or rather, as the Targum, a son of the tribe of Benjamin:

of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?
having been greatly reduced, even to the number of six hundred men, by the fatal war between that tribe and the rest, on account of the Levite's concubine, and is called little Benjamin, ( Psalms 68:27 ) .

and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin?
the smallest in number, had the least share of authority in the tribe, and of land and cattle, wealth and substance:

wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
Saul presently understood Samuel's meaning, that he should be chosen king of Israel, the affair of a king being at this time in everyone's mind and mouth; but could not believe that one of so small a tribe, and which sprung from the youngest son of Jacob, and of so mean a family, would be raised to such dignity, but that a person of great figure and character would be settled upon; and, therefore he took Samuel to be in joke, as Josephus

---

FOOTNOTES:

F13 says, and not in earnest.

F13 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 4. sect. 1.

1 Samuel 9:21 In-Context

19 "I'm the Seer," said Samuel. "Accompany me to the shrine and eat with me. In the morning I'll tell you all about what's on your mind, and send you on your way.

20 And by the way, your lost donkeys - the ones you've been hunting for the last three days - have been found, so don't worry about them. At this moment, Israel's future is in your hands."

21 Saul answered, "But I'm only a Benjaminite, from the smallest of Israel's tribes, and from the most insignificant clan in the tribe at that. Why are you talking to me like this?"

22 Samuel took Saul and his servant and led them into the dining hall at the shrine and seated them at the head of the table. There were about thirty guests.

23 Then Samuel directed the chef, "Bring the choice cut I pointed out to you, the one I told you to reserve."