Saul was chosen by God for kingship, yet he initially hid from his calling, illustrating the tension between divine appointment and human apprehension.
In “Therefore they inquired further of the LORD, ‘Has the man come here yet?’ So the LORD said, ‘Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.” (1 Samuel 10:22), the people of Israel are in the midst of selecting their very first king. Their question, “Has the man come here yet?” (1 Samuel 10:22), reveals they did not see Saul in the gathering, prompting them to look to the LORD for guidance. The LORD’s response, “Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.” (1 Samuel 10:22), underscores that Saul, chosen by God, was reluctant to step forward. This episode took place at Mizpah, a city in the territory of Benjamin, which was located roughly eight miles north of Jerusalem, a frequent gathering place for important national affairs.
Saul, who would reign over Israel around 1050-1010 BC, was from the tribe of Benjamin, and his hesitation at this key moment conveys a sense of humility or possibly fear. Despite being divinely chosen, he did not immediately embrace his role, suggesting an inner struggle between God’s call and his own insecurities. This theme of an unwilling or humble leader foreshadows many scriptural accounts in which God’s chosen servants initially feel inadequate (see Exodus 4 and Jeremiah 1). Furthermore, centuries later, we see the true King, Jesus, also displaying humility by coming in a lowly manner rather than in grandeur (Luke 2:7), drawing a subtle parallel to the reluctant moment demonstrated here by Saul.
By inquiring of the LORD, the Israelites recognized that God’s voice was crucial in identifying His chosen leader. It sets an example for believers to seek God’s will instead of relying solely on human judgment. In the broader story, Saul’s eventual kingship introduces a royal line that will eventually lead to David, and ultimately to the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1). The reference to “baggage” can serve as both a literal hiding place and a metaphorical insight that God’s people often find themselves weighed down by personal or communal burdens, needing divine guidance to move forward.
Set to dark mode
1 Samuel 10:22 meaning
In “Therefore they inquired further of the LORD, ‘Has the man come here yet?’ So the LORD said, ‘Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.” (1 Samuel 10:22), the people of Israel are in the midst of selecting their very first king. Their question, “Has the man come here yet?” (1 Samuel 10:22), reveals they did not see Saul in the gathering, prompting them to look to the LORD for guidance. The LORD’s response, “Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.” (1 Samuel 10:22), underscores that Saul, chosen by God, was reluctant to step forward. This episode took place at Mizpah, a city in the territory of Benjamin, which was located roughly eight miles north of Jerusalem, a frequent gathering place for important national affairs.
Saul, who would reign over Israel around 1050-1010 BC, was from the tribe of Benjamin, and his hesitation at this key moment conveys a sense of humility or possibly fear. Despite being divinely chosen, he did not immediately embrace his role, suggesting an inner struggle between God’s call and his own insecurities. This theme of an unwilling or humble leader foreshadows many scriptural accounts in which God’s chosen servants initially feel inadequate (see Exodus 4 and Jeremiah 1). Furthermore, centuries later, we see the true King, Jesus, also displaying humility by coming in a lowly manner rather than in grandeur (Luke 2:7), drawing a subtle parallel to the reluctant moment demonstrated here by Saul.
By inquiring of the LORD, the Israelites recognized that God’s voice was crucial in identifying His chosen leader. It sets an example for believers to seek God’s will instead of relying solely on human judgment. In the broader story, Saul’s eventual kingship introduces a royal line that will eventually lead to David, and ultimately to the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1). The reference to “baggage” can serve as both a literal hiding place and a metaphorical insight that God’s people often find themselves weighed down by personal or communal burdens, needing divine guidance to move forward.