Acts 13:21-22
Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text mentions God giving Saul, a Benjamite, for forty years, a duration not explicitly stated in the Old Testament. This suggests Paul might be referencing a tradition that combines Saul's reign with Samuel's prophetic leadership, highlighting God's long-term provision for Israel, even during their flawed request for a king.
The Apostle Paul is recounting Israel's history, highlighting their rejection of God's direct rule in favor of a king like other nations. This led to God giving them Saul, a man from Benjamin, who reigned for forty years, a period that likely includes Samuel's later ministry alongside Saul's kingship. The narrative then moves to God's subsequent choice of David, emphasizing a new, divinely appointed leader.
The Israelites looked at their neighbors and saw kings. They thought, 'We want one too!' But what did they lose in that desire?
This verse opens a critical reflection on the Israelites' demand for a king. They weren't just asking for a leader; they were rejecting God's direct kingship over them. The text in 1 Samuel 8:5-7 shows Samuel’s deep hurt when they said, 'Appoint over us a king to govern us like all the nations.' This wasn't about improving their government; it was about fundamentally altering their relationship with God. Their desire to 'be like other nations' meant abandoning the unique, divinely ordained covenant they had with God, stepping away from the theocracy where God was their ultimate King and Lawgiver.
God 'gave' them Saul. Was this an endorsement, or something more complex? Explore the divine perspective on their choice.
The phrase 'God gave them Saul' is crucial. It's not necessarily an endorsement of their choice, but a sovereign permission and delegation. Think of it like a parent allowing a child to make a poor choice, knowing the lessons that will follow. The Old Testament narrative, particularly in 1 Samuel, reveals God’s sorrow over Saul's reign and his eventual rejection. While Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin and chosen by God, his subsequent actions led to profound grief for God and His people. This highlights a key theological truth: God works through human choices, even flawed ones, to fulfill His ultimate purposes, but He does not condone sin or rebellion.
Forty years is a significant number in Scripture. What does this timeframe tell us about Saul's reign and the transition in Israel?
The mention of 'forty years' for Saul's reign is significant. While not explicitly stated as such in the Old Testament narrative, it reflects a tradition or calculation accepted by the New Testament writers. Scholars note this span likely encompasses not just Saul's direct rule but also the period of Samuel's active ministry before and during Saul's kingship, or even includes the early years of David's separate reign before he united the kingdom. Regardless of the precise calculation, this forty-year period signifies a generation-long era of transition for Israel. It marks the end of the established judges and the beginning of the monarchical system, setting the stage for the rise of David and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
A human monarch ruling over a nation, or in a biblical sense, one who holds supreme authority under the ultimate sovereignty of God. The request for a human king in Israel often signaled a lack of trust in God's direct rule.
metastēsas · Greek Verb
To displace, take away, or cause to depart. In a theological sense, it often refers to God's sovereign action in ending an individual's or nation's tenure or life.
ēgeiren · Greek Verb
To raise up or set up, often used of God establishing a leader, prophet, or the Messiah to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
emartyrēsen · Greek Verb
To bear witness or affirm a truth. In the New Testament, it frequently refers to God providing divine validation or endorsement of persons or the message of Christ.
Paul highlights the transition from a prophetic era to a monarchy, underscoring how Israel's desire for a king led to Saul's rule and ultimately paved the way for David, from whom the Messiah would descend. The forty-year figure for Saul's reign, while debated among scholars regarding its exact inclusion of Samuel's time, emphasizes the length and significance of this foundational period.
c. 1100 BC
Israel Demands a King
The people of Israel, desiring to be like surrounding nations, foolishly ask for a king, rejecting God's direct rule through prophets like Samuel. This marks a significant shift in their governance and relationship with God.
c. 1050 BC— this verse
Saul Anointed King
God grants Israel's request and anoints Saul, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, as their first king. This event sets the stage for the monarchy, though Saul's reign would be marked by disobedience.
c. 1010 BC
Saul's Reign Ends
Saul's turbulent reign concludes after approximately forty years, a period that likely includes Samuel's later prophetic ministry alongside Saul's kingship. His disobedience led God to reject him as king.
c. 1010 BC
David Anointed King
Following Saul's rejection, God chooses and anoints David, a man after His own heart, to be the next king. This ushers in a new era for Israel, with David eventually uniting the tribes and establishing Jerusalem.
This passage directly describes the people's demand for a king, mirroring the context of Acts 13:21 and highlighting their rejection of God's direct rule.
1 Samuel 9:1-2This passage introduces Saul, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, and describes his kingly appearance, providing the Old Testament background for the figure mentioned in Acts.
Deuteronomy 17:14-15This passage prophesied the people's desire for a king, showing that their request in Acts 13 was foreseen and permitted by God, though it stemmed from a flawed desire.
Romans 11:1Paul, who himself was from the tribe of Benjamin, speaks of his own heritage here, offering a personal connection to Saul, also of Benjamin, mentioned in Acts 13.
Psalm 89:20This Psalm speaks of God finding and appointing David, contrasting with Saul's appointment and setting the stage for the divinely chosen king that followed Israel's first king.
ellicottActs 13:21: "And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years."
(21) Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin. —It is natural to think of the Apostle as dwelling on the memory of the hero-king of the tribe to which he himself belonged. (Comp. Philippians 3:5 .) The very fact that he had so recently renounced the name, would bring the associations connected with it more vividly to his recollectio…
barnesActs 13:21: "And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years."
And afterward they desired a king - See 1 Samuel 8:5 ; Hosea 13:10 . It was predicted that they would have a king, Deuteronomy 17:14-15 . Saul, the son of Cis - is the Greek mode of writing the Hebrew name Kish. In the Old Testament it is uniformly written as "Kish," and it is to be regretted that this has not been retained in the New Testamen…
The text mentions God giving Saul, a Benjamite, for forty years, a duration not explicitly stated in the Old Testament. This suggests Paul might be referencing a tradition that combines Saul's reign with Samuel's prophetic leadership, highlighting God's long-term provision for Israel, even during their flawed request for a king.
The Apostle Paul is recounting Israel's history, highlighting their rejection of God's direct rule in favor of a king like other nations. This led to God giving them Saul, a man from Benjamin, who reigned for forty years, a period that likely includes Samuel's later ministry alongside Saul's kingship. The narrative then moves to God's subsequent choice of David, emphasizing a new, divinely appointed leader.
The Apostle Paul is recounting Israel's history, highlighting their rejection of God's direct rule in favor of a king like other nations. This led to God giving them Saul, a man from Benjamin, who reigned for forty years, a period that likely includes Samuel's later ministry alongside Saul's kingship. The narrative then moves to God's subsequent choice of David, emphasizing a new, divinely appointed leader.
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kilebabi · Hebrew Noun/Phrase
A figurative expression indicating alignment with God's desires, priorities, and character. It denotes a person whose intentions and actions are deeply shaped by devotion to God.
thelēmata · Greek Noun
The divine purpose, desire, or sovereign decree for humanity and creation. It encompasses God's moral commandments and His ultimate plan for redemption.
"Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David th…" — The text mentions God giving Saul, a Benjamite, for forty years, a duration not explicitly stated in the Old Testament. This suggests Paul might be referencing a tradition that combines Saul's reign…
