When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.
When he brought the tribe of Benjamin forward by their families, the family of Matri was chosen, and Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, he was nowhere to be found.
This verse shows the moment when God chose Saul to be Israel's first king through casting lots, but Saul had hidden himself and couldn't be found when it was time to present him to the people.
📚 Historical Context
This event took place around 1050 BC when the prophet Samuel was selecting Israel's first king at Mizpah. The Israelites had demanded a king like other nations, and God directed Samuel to use the sacred lot system to publicly reveal His choice. The process narrowed down from all twelve tribes to the tribe of Benjamin, then to specific families, until Saul was identified.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.