Bible/1 Samuel/9

1 Samuel 9:21

9:20 And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? three: Heb. to day three days
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? so: Heb. according to this word

KJV

Save image

Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me like this?”

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?

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? why then speak you so to me?

9:22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.

What does 1 Samuel 9:21 mean?

1 Samuel 9:21 is a verse in the book of 1 Samuel, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl), עָנָה (ʻânâh), אָמַר (ʼâmar). It connects to 18 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Full chapter interlinear →
And
SaulשָׁאוּלShâʼûwl/shaw-ool'/H7586Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
answeredעָנָהʻânâh/aw-naw'/H6030properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce
and
said,אָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)
Am
not
I
a
Benjamite,בֶּן־יְמִינִיBen-yᵉmîynîy/ben-yem-ee-nee'/H1145a Benjaminite, or descendent of Benjamin
of
the
smallestקָטָןqâṭân/kaw-tawn'/H6996abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
of
the
tribesשֵׁבֶטshêbeṭ/shay'-bet/H7626a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
of
Israel?יִשְׂרָאֵלYisrâʼêl/yis-raw-ale'/H3478Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
and
my
familyמִשְׁפָּחָהmishpâchâh/mish-paw-khaw'/H4940a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
the
leastצָעִירtsâʻîyr/tsaw-eer'/H6810little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble
of
all
the
familiesמִשְׁפָּחָהmishpâchâh/mish-paw-khaw'/H4940a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
of
the
tribeשֵׁבֶטshêbeṭ/shay'-bet/H7626a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
of
Benjamin?בִּנְיָמִיןBinyâmîyn/bin-yaw-mene'/H1144Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
wherefore
then
speakestדָבַרdâbar/daw-bar'/H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
thou
soדָּבָרdâbâr/daw-baw'/H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
to
me?
so:
Heb.
according
to
this
word

Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:21

HENRY_FULL · 1 Samuel 9:21
gen5235" In this chapter we have, I. Hannah's song of thanksgiving to God for his favour to her in giving her Samuel, ver. 1-10 . II. Their return to their family, with Eli's blessing, ver. 11 , 20 . The increase of their family, ver. 21 . Samuel's growth and improvement ( ver. 11 , 18 , 21, , 26 ), and the care Hannah took to clothe him, ver. 19 . III. The great wickedness of Eli's sons, ver. 12-17 , 22 . IV. The over-mild reproof that Eli gave them for it, ver. 23-25 . V. The justly dreadful message God sent him by a prophet, threatening the ruin of his family for the wickedness of his sons, ver. 27-36 .

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 15:11

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? gods: or, mighty ones?

Deuteronomy 3:24

O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?

Deuteronomy 4:35

Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.

Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Deuteronomy 32:20

And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

Deuteronomy 32:31

For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

Deuteronomy 32:39

See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

2 Samuel 22:32

For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?

Psalms 18:2

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. my strength: Heb. my rock

Isaiah 6:3

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. one: Heb. this cried to this the whole: Heb. his glory is the fulness of the whole earth

Isaiah 43:10

Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. no: or, nothing formed of God

Isaiah 43:11

I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

Isaiah 44:6

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Isaiah 44:8

Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. God; I: Heb. rock, etc

Jeremiah 10:6

Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

Romans 4:8

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

1 Peter 1:16

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

People & places in this verse

People

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 1 Samuel 9:21.

Exodus 6:15

And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these are the families of Simeon.

Genesis 49:16

Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

Genesis 49:28

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

Numbers 22:18

And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.

Frequently asked questions

What does 1 Samuel 9:21 say?

1 Samuel 9:21 (King James Version) reads: "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? so: Heb. according to this word"

Is 1 Samuel 9:21 in the Old or New Testament?

1 Samuel 9:21 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 1 Samuel.

Reflect

As you read 1 Samuel 9:21, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on 1 Samuel 9:21 →
← 9:20Read all of 1 Samuel 99:22 →