1 Samuel 10:14

1Sa 10:14 And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that [they were] no where, we came to Samuel.

Ver. 14. And Saul’s uncle.] Ner, the father of Abner, likely, wondering with the rest, was thus inquisitive after the news. We have all a natural itch after novelties.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Verse 14. Saul's uncle] The word דוד dod signifies a beloved one, love, a lover, friend, c. and is the same as David. It is supposed to mean uncle here; but I think it means some familiar friend.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(14) Saul’s uncle.—Most probably, this uncle was the subsequently famous Abner—so Ewald, Josephus, and others. Kish, the father of Saul, a quiet, plain man, evidently was quite content that his beasts were found, and that his son had returned in safety and so asks no curious questions about his son’s journey. Not so Abner, who was a restless, ambitious man, and who, very probably, had heard something already from the servant who accompanied Saul (traditionally supposed to have been Doeg) of the strange honours paid to his nephew by the great and revered judge of Israel, the famous Samuel, and also of the long private interview between them. Abner, the uncle of the future king, an observant man, might well have been struck with the change that had passed over his nephew since he had last seen him; hence his question, “Tell me what Samuel said unto you?”

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

14. Saul’s uncle] Possibly Ner. See note on 1Sa_14:50. He may have been at the high-place for some public solemnity, at which the prophets also had been present; or the conversation may have occurred on a subsequent occasion.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And Saul's uncle said unto him, and to his servant, whither went ye?.... Since they had been absent so long a time. This was his father's brother, as the Targum, and so Aquila; whose name was Ner, the father of Abner, Sa1 14:50 who met with him at the high place, or found him in the city, in his father's house it may be. Josephus (g) says, Saul went into the house of his kinsman Abner, whom he loved above all his relations, and that it was he that discoursed with Saul, and asked him, the questions before and after related:

and he said, to seek the asses: he first observes the end of their going, the business they went upon, in which not succeeding, then he answers more directly to the question:

and when we saw that they were nowhere; could not see them, nor find them any where, or hear of them where they went:

we came to Samuel; at Ramah, to inquire of him, if he could direct us which way to go, and what methods to take, to find the asses.

(g) Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 6. c. 4.) sect. 3.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

From the order of the narrative, and the mention of Saul’s servant, it looks as if Saul found his uncle at the high place. Perhaps some solemnity similar to that mentioned in 1Sa 9:19 was going on at this time, in which the prophets had been taking part.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Saul’s uncle, being there present, and observing this great alteration in his nephew.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

14. Saul’s uncle — Perhaps Abner, who was afterwards captain of Saul’s host. 1Sa_14:50. But the word דוד, here translated uncle, frequently means a beloved friend, and may here refer to some familiar friend of Saul who was not a relative. The earnestness with which he asks what Samuel had said to Saul is another intimation that Saul’s relatives and friends were interested in his case, and had possibly proposed him as a proper person for king. Compare note on 1Sa_9:20.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Vers. 14-16. Saul"s uncle. According to 1Sa_14:50, 1Sa_14:51; 1Ch_8:33, this would be Abner. The conversation probably took place after Saul had returned from the Bamah and gone to his own home, for in so brief a summary much necessarily is omitted. It is curious that the conversation should have taken place with the uncle, and not with the father; but possibly the latter was too well pleased to have his son back again to be very particular in his inquiries. Not so Abner. He was evidently excited by his nephew s visit to the prophet, and struck perhaps by the change in Saul himself, and would gladly have heard more. But Saul does not gratify his curiosity. Of the matter of the kingdom he told him not. It was not merely prudent, but right to keep the matter secret. An able man like Abner would probably have begun to scheme for so great an end. Saul s silence left the fulfilment of the prophet"s words entirely to God.

Vers. 14-16. (GIBEAH.)

Inquisitiveness.

Inquiry after truth is a necessary and invaluable exercise. But inquiry, when it is directed to matters in which we have no proper concern, degenerates into vain curiosity, or mere inquisitiveness. And this often appears both in relation to Divine affairs (Gen_3:6; Deu_29:29; 1Sa_6:19; Luk_13:23; and Act_1:6) human affairs. (Joh_21:21) Of the latter we have here an illustration. Saul, having reached his home, was asked by his uncle concerning his journey and interview with Samuel. "Whither went ye?" "Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said to you." This man was doubtless acquainted with the popular agitation about a king, but what his precise motives were we are not told. Such inquisitiveness as he displayed

I MANIFESTS A WRONG DISPOSITION.

1. An unrestrained desire of knowledge. There must be self-restraint in thisdesire, as in every other; else it leads to recklessness, irreverence, and pride.

2. An unjust disregard of the rights of others. The claims of familyrelationship are sometimes exaggerated so as to ignore or interfere with those rights. It is imagined that they justify the expectation of an answer to any inquiry, however little it affects the inquirer.

3. Uncharitable and suspicious thoughts about the conduct of others,expressed in impertinent and annoying questions, which naturally cause resentment and discord. It may be added, that persons who are "busybodies in other men"s matters" (1Pe_4:15) are seldom so diligent and faithful in their own as they ought to be. The proper province of every man affords plenty of scope for his attention and effort. (1Ti_5:13)

II REQUIRES TO BE PROMPTLY CHECKED.

1. Out of due regard to higher claims. What Samuel said to Saul was intended for him alone, and to divulge it would be a breach of duty.

1. Lest the information given should be used to the disadvantage of him who gives it. Who knows how Saul"s uncle would have employed the knowledge of his having been appointed king by the prophet? He might

2. have done irreparable mischief. Many excellent projects have been frustrated by an untimely disclosure of them.

3. For the good of the inquirer himself. The gratification of his curiosity tends to increase his inquisitiveness, the mortification thereof to its cure. It was for the benefit of the Apostle Peter that the Lord said, "What is that to thee? Follow thou me.

III SHOULD BE CHECKED IN A RIGHT MANNER. Judiciously, discreetly, and, more particularly

1. With strict truthfulness. "He told us plainly that the asses were found" (ver. 16). Saul spoke the truth, but not the whole truth; nor was he in the circumstances described under any obligation to do so. "A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise man keepeth it till afterwards". (Pro_29:11)

2. With due courtesy. By a blunt refusal and rude repulsion Saul might have alienated his uncle, and turned him into an enemy. "Honour all men." "Be courteous.

3. With few words or resolute silence. "But of the matter of the kingdom whereof Samuel spake he told him not." There is a "time to keep silence". (Ecc_3:7; Amo_5:13) "Then he (Herod) questioned him with many words; but he answered him nothing". (Luk_23:9) Our Lord himself is thus an example of silence to us when addressed with questions which it would not be prudent or beneficial to answer. "Silence is golden.

Conclusion.

1. Check the tendency to curiosity in yourselves, so that it may not be checked, disappointed, and reproved by others.

2. In checking it in others seek their improvement rather than your owndignity and honour. D.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Saul Chosen King by Lot

v. 14. And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, upon their return home, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses; and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.

v. 15. And Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you, he was anxious to have a detailed account of the visit.

v. 16. And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found, hoping therewith to dispose of this matter. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not, for it was evident from Samuel’s entire manner that the matter was not yet to be made public.

v. 17. And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mizpeh, for a great popular assembly;

v. 18. and said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all kingdoms and of them that oppressed you, these were the mighty deeds performed by God under the old order, when He was still the only acknowledged King of the nation;

v. 19. and ye have this day rejected your God, who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations, all the evils and oppressions which they suffered from the very kingdoms after which they now intended to pattern their state; and ye have said unto Him, Nay, but set a king over us. This was a last warning regarding a step the taking of which they might some day bitterly repent. Now, therefore, present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands, the divisions of the people by the command of the Lord, Num 1:16. This solemn act took place in the presence of Jehovah, before the altar which had been erected in Mizpeh.

v. 20. And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, in order that lots might be cast or drawn, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.

v. 21. When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come nearby their families, the largest subdivision of the tribe, the family of Matri was taken, and, after the father-houses had been treated the same way and the individual heads of families came forward, Saul, the son of Kish, was taken; and when they sought him, he could not be found, his shyness having caused him to hide himself, since he knew the outcome of the selection.

v. 22. Therefore they enquired of the Lord further, through the Urim and Thummim of the high priest, if the man should yet come thither, whether they should search for Saul at home or elsewhere. And the Lord answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff, the traveling baggage of the great assembly.

v. 23. And they ran and fetched him thence; and when he stood among the people, having been obliged to overcome his diffidence, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward, he extended above them, head and shoulders, a magnificent specimen of physical manhood, truly kingly in appearance.

v. 24. And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, the election being the confirmation of the previous divine choice, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, in a cry of salutation and homage, God save the king! literally, "May the king live!"

v. 25. Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, the relation of the temporal monarchy to the theocracy, the rule of God, for it was Jehovah’s purpose to rule through Saul as His instrument, Cf Deu 17:14-20, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the Lord, to be preserved for future generations, the Lord Himself being a witness of the act. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.

v. 26. And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men whose hearts God had touched, of their own free will they constituted themselves his body-guard, his escort of honor. They represented the majority of the people, who were willing to bow under the authority of the man whom God had chosen as their leader.

v. 27. But the children of Belial, the worthless, vain rabble, said, How shall this man save us? They questioned his fitness for the office and declared their unwillingness to submit to his authority. And they despised him and brought him no presents, gifts which were a part of the regular income of the princes. But he held his peace, literally, "he was as a deaf man," paying no attention to these foolish attacks, and thus showing great foresight and prudence. To this day men in the public office of the Church are subjected to mocking attacks by vain and foolish people. The best way of meeting such a situation is by ignoring attacks of this kind; for the truly faithful, men whose hearts God has. touched, will be on the side of right and justice.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Then Saul's uncle said to him

"Then the brother of Saul's father said to Saul"

he did not tell him about the matter of the kingdom

"Saul did not tell his uncle that God had appointed him to be the king of Israel"

translationWords

servant

donkey

kingdom

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.