1 Samuel 10:21
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Isn't it wild that even in this divinely orchestrated selection, when God's chosen king is named, he's nowhere to be found? This moment highlights how God often chooses the unlikely, the ones who might even be hiding from their own destiny. It's a powerful reminder that God's plans don't always align with our expectations or even our own self-perception.
He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This moment is the dramatic climax of a public process to choose Israel's first king. Samuel, following God's direction, has been systematically narrowing down the choices, first by tribe, then by clan, until a single person is revealed by lot. The immediate aftermath, however, is panic and confusion because the chosen king, Saul, is nowhere to be found.
God's choosing isn't random; it's a deliberate, detailed plan that unfolds even when things seem messy. How does God's intentionality impact our lives?
God's Precise Plan
Samuel is about to anoint a king for Israel. The text emphasizes the meticulous process: the tribe of Benjamin is brought forward, then the specific clan of the Matrites. This isn't a haphazard decision; it's God working through a structured, albeit seemingly complex, system to pinpoint His chosen one. It shows that even when we feel lost in the crowd or caught in difficult circumstances, God sees us and has a precise purpose.
The Unseen Hand
The lot falls on Saul, son of Kish. This method of selection was believed to be a way of invoking divine guidance (Proverbs 16:33). It underscores that ultimately, the outcome is in God's hands. This should bring comfort, reminding us that our lives are not ruled by chance but by a loving God who ordains our path, even before we can see it.
When God calls someone, they might not be ready or willing. Saul's disappearance reveals a common human reaction to God's extraordinary plans.
Hiding from Destiny
After being chosen by lot, Saul is nowhere to be found! The frantic search for him is telling. His absence isn't due to divine withdrawal, but human avoidance. He's hiding. This speaks volumes about his own insecurity or perhaps his lack of desire for the immense responsibility God was placing on him. It's a vivid picture of someone trying to escape the divine purpose unfolding around them.
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What We Hide From
We can all relate to hiding, can't we? Maybe not by literally hiding in the baggage, but by avoiding opportunities, responsibilities, or even spiritual callings that feel too big or frightening. Saul's reaction is a mirror reflecting our own tendencies to shrink back when God calls us to step forward into something new and potentially challenging.
Understand the original words
mishpachah · Hebrew Noun
A division of a tribe in ancient Israel, often associated with family groupings or military units. It represents the extended kinship structure fundamental to Israelite society.
goral · Hebrew Noun
A method used in the Old Testament to determine the divine will or to make decisions, based on the belief that God sovereignly controls the outcome of casting objects. It was a recognized, authoritative means of discovering God's choice.
This event highlights the tension between God's sovereign choice, the people's desire for a king, and Saul's own humble, perhaps fearful, response to his destiny.
c. 1075 BC
Saul Anointed King
Prophet Samuel secretly anoints Saul as the first king of Israel at God's command, signaling a major shift in Israel's governance.
c. 1070 BC
Saul's Early Reign
Saul begins his rule, facing early challenges and consolidating his authority among the tribes of Israel.
c. 1070 BC— this verse
Lot Drawn for Saul's Public Presentation
After early military successes and a period of unrest, the tribes are gathered to formally select their king through the casting of lots.
c. 1070 BC
Saul Hides During Presentation
When Saul's name is chosen, he is found to be hiding among the baggage, revealing his reluctance or perhaps fear of his new public role.
c. 1070 BC
Saul Proclaimed King
Despite his hiding, Saul is brought forward and presented to the people as king, to their cheers.
c. 1070 BC
Saul's First Military Victory
Saul leads Israel to a significant victory against the Ammonites, proving his leadership and solidifying his position as king.
This passage shows Saul again seeking God's will through the lot, demonstrating a recurring theme of seeking divine guidance in critical moments even after his initial anointing.
John 1:47-48Jesus immediately recognizes Nathanael, who is hidden under a fig tree, echoing the idea of God seeing and finding those who might otherwise be unseen or try to hide.
Acts 1:23-26The disciples use the casting of lots to choose a replacement for Judas, illustrating the continuation of this ancient method for discerning God's will within the early church.
Proverbs 16:33This proverb directly addresses the practice of casting lots, stating that the outcome is ultimately controlled by the Lord, reinforcing the idea that Saul's selection was divinely ordained despite his absence.
Isn't it wild that even in this divinely orchestrated selection, when God's chosen king is named, he's nowhere to be found? This moment highlights how God often chooses the unlikely, the ones who might even be hiding from their own destiny. It's a powerful reminder that God's plans don't always align with our expectations or even our own self-perception.
This moment is the dramatic climax of a public process to choose Israel's first king. Samuel, following God's direction, has been systematically narrowing down the choices, first by tribe, then by clan, until a single person is revealed by lot. The immediate aftermath, however, is panic and confusion because the chosen king, Saul, is nowhere to be found.
This moment is the dramatic climax of a public process to choose Israel's first king. Samuel, following God's direction, has been systematically narrowing down the choices, first by tribe, then by clan, until a single person is revealed by lot. The immediate aftermath, however, is panic and confusion because the chosen king, Saul, is nowhere to be found.
"He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found." — Isn't it wild that even in this divinely orchestrated selection, when God's chosen king is named, he's nowhere to be found? This moment highlights how God often chooses the unlikely, the ones who mig…
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Last reviewed October 2026
