1 Samuel 10:20
And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּקְרֵ֣ב
to come near
H7126
וַיַּקְרֵ֣ב
to come near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 9
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שֵׁ֥בֶט
had caused all the tribes
H7626
שֵׁ֥בֶט
had caused all the tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
5 of 9
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 9
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיִּלָּכֵ֖ד
was taken
H3920
וַיִּלָּכֵ֖ד
was taken
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
7 of 9
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
Historical Context
The near-extinction of Benjamin during the concubine outrage (Judges 19-21) had left this tribe diminished. Selecting Israel's first king from this smallest tribe paralleled God's choice of Israel itself - not for their greatness but despite their smallness (Deuteronomy 7:7).
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God consistently choose the unlikely and overlooked for significant purposes?
- How does the lot-casting process demonstrate that divine sovereignty works through means?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
The selection by lot begins with tribal level identification. The Hebrew 'laqad' (taken/caught) is the same word used for capturing prey or enemies, suggesting the lot 'seized' Benjamin from among the tribes. Casting lots was Israel's sanctioned method for discerning God's will in specific decisions (Proverbs 16:33: 'The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD'). The selection of Benjamin - Israel's smallest tribe, nearly annihilated in the civil war of Judges 19-21 - demonstrated God's pattern of choosing the weak and unlikely. Benjamin's territory between powerful Ephraim and Judah made them politically neutral, potentially acceptable to tribal factions. Jacob's blessing had called Benjamin a 'ravenous wolf' (Genesis 49:27); Saul's initial military success would fulfill this characterization before his tragic decline.