Keraia
1 Samuel 9

1 Samuel 9:2

Saul Chosen as King · 1 Samuel 9:1–27
Read 1 Samuel 9

Translations

Modern
And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.
Traditional
And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
Literal
And he had a son, and his name was Saul, a choice youth and handsome. And not a man among the sons of Israel was more handsome than he—from his shoulder and upward he was taller than any of the people.
Latin
Et erat ei filius vocabulo Saul, electus et bonus: et non erat vir de filiis Israël melior illo: ab humero et sursum eminebat super omnem populum.

Original

Hebrew
English
And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.

Notes

1 Samuel 9:2

Saul's looks, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites, made people loyal to him (see 1 Samuel 10:23; compare 16:12; 2 Samuel 14:25–26).

1 Samuel 9:1–11:15

Saul became powerful through three main events:

  1. Samuel secretly anointed him (1 Samuel 9:1–10:16).

  2. He was chosen by casting lots (1 Samuel 10:17–27).

  3. He defeated the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1–15).

See also study note on 1 Samuel 13:1–16:13.

Theme notes and profiles

Samuel Saul

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Glossary

Samuel, Books of First and Second Saul

Topics

Kish: Father of Saul Saul: King of Israel: A Benjamite, Son of Kish Saul: King of Israel: His Personal Appearance Tribe of Benjamin: Furnished the First King to Israel