1 Samuel 10:2
When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?
Original Language Analysis
הָלַ֣כְתָּ
which thou wentest
H1980
הָלַ֣כְתָּ
which thou wentest
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 31
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הַיּוֹם֙
to day
H3117
הַיּוֹם֙
to day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 31
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
נִמְצְא֤וּ
are found
H4672
נִמְצְא֤וּ
are found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
4 of 31
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
אֲנָשִׁ֜ים
H376
אֲנָשִׁ֜ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 31
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
7 of 31
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
בִּגְב֥וּל
in the border
H1366
בִּגְב֥וּל
in the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
10 of 31
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
בִּנְיָמִ֖ן
of Benjamin
H1144
בִּנְיָמִ֖ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
11 of 31
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
נִמְצְא֤וּ
are found
H4672
נִמְצְא֤וּ
are found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
15 of 31
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָלַ֣כְתָּ
which thou wentest
H1980
הָלַ֣כְתָּ
which thou wentest
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
18 of 31
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְבַקֵּ֔שׁ
to seek
H1245
לְבַקֵּ֔שׁ
to seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
19 of 31
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
נָטַ֤שׁ
hath left
H5203
נָטַ֤שׁ
hath left
Strong's:
H5203
Word #:
21 of 31
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
אָבִ֙יךָ֙
and lo thy father
H1
אָבִ֙יךָ֙
and lo thy father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
22 of 31
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דִּבְרֵ֣י
the care
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֣י
the care
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
24 of 31
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מָ֥ה
H4100
מָ֥ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
29 of 31
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Historical Context
Rachel's tomb near Bethlehem was a significant landmark in Benjamin's territory. The mention of Zelzah, whose exact location is now uncertain, demonstrates the text's authentic preservation of geographic details from Saul's era. Such precision would have been verifiable to the original audience.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God used ordinary circumstances in your life to accomplish His greater purposes?
- What does the specificity of biblical prophecy teach us about God's sovereignty over history?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?
Samuel provides the first of three confirming signs to validate Saul's divine appointment. The location at Rachel's tomb is deeply symbolic: Rachel was the mother of Benjamin, Saul's tribe, and her death while giving birth to Benjamin (Genesis 35:16-20) connects to themes of tribal identity and destiny. The Hebrew 'sorroweth' (da'ag) indicates anxious care, showing Kish's fatherly concern had shifted from property to person. God's providence orchestrated mundane circumstances (lost donkeys) for monumental purposes (establishing kingship). This sign would build Saul's confidence that Samuel's words were genuinely from God. The specificity of the prophecy - two men, precise location, exact words - demonstrates God's exhaustive knowledge of future events, a hallmark of true prophecy distinguishing Israel's God from pagan deities.