Bible Strands
1 Samuel 9:21
Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Saul responds to Samuel’s declaration that Israel’s desire rests upon him and his father’s house. He speaks this immediately after the prophet reassures him that his lost donkeys have been found.
The words — The phrase הֲלֹא מִקַּטַנֵּי (ha-lo miqatannei) translates literally as “am I not from the small [ones]?” and anchors Saul’s rhetorical question in his own clan’s perceived insignificance.
The thread — This motif of a minor lineage receiving leadership appears in 1 Samuel 15:17, where Samuel reminds Saul he was once small but became head of Israel. Psalm 68:27 also notes Benjamin, described as the youngest, ruling among the other princes.
Why it lands — The verse records Saul’s literal confusion at being selected despite his tribe’s low rank. It demands the reader note the disconnect between human status metrics and the prophet’s announcement of divine appointment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel
- Judges 20:46 That day 25,000 Benjamite swordsmen fell, all men of valor.
- Psalms 68:27 There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah in their company, the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.
- Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Ephesians 3:8 Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
- Judges 6:14 The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Am I not sending you?”
- 1 Samuel 10:27 But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.
- 1 Samuel 18:18 And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?”
- 1 Samuel 18:23 But when Saul’s servants relayed these words to David, he replied, “Does it seem trivial in your sight to be the son-in-law of the king? I am a poor man and lightly esteemed.”
- Hosea 13:1 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal, and he died.