The Church Fathers on this verse

1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 10:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But you this day have rejected your God, who only hath saved you out of all your evils and your tribulations: and you have said: Nay: but set a king over us. Now therefore stand before the Lord by your tribes, and by your families.

Douay-Rheims

וְאַתֶּ֨ם הַיּ֜וֹם מְאַסְתֶּ֣ם אֶת־אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁר־ה֣וּא מוֹשִׁ֣יעַ לָכֶם֮ מִכָּל־רָעוֹתֵיכֶ֣ם וְצָרֹֽתֵיכֶם֒ וַתֹּ֣אמְרוּ ל֔וֹ כִּי־מֶ֖לֶךְ תָּשִׂ֣ים עָלֵ֑ינוּ וְעַתָּ֗ה הִֽתְיַצְּבוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶ֖ם וּלְאַלְפֵיכֶֽם׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

Why did Samuel, after anointing Saul and receiving divine revelation regarding his kingship, instruct the tribes to draw lots? Those who engaged in corrupt practices did not heed the words of God's messengers. To prevent the notion that human compassion influenced the decision, Samuel mandated the casting of lots. When the lot designated the tribe of Benjamin and was further narrowed down through generations, households, and individuals, it ultimately fell to Saul. Although Saul sought to conceal himself, feeling unworthy of such power, God revealed him to the Prophet, affirming his selection in the eyes of the entire assembly.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.