1 Samuel 9:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
הָיָ֨ה
H1961
הָיָ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִבְּנֵ֥י
And he had a son
H1121
מִבְּנֵ֥י
And he had a son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּשְׁמ֤וֹ
whose name
H8034
וּשְׁמ֤וֹ
whose name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
4 of 18
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
בָּח֣וּר
a choice young man
H970
בָּח֣וּר
a choice young man
Strong's:
H970
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
ט֣וֹב
a goodlier
H2896
ט֣וֹב
a goodlier
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
7 of 18
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
אִ֛ישׁ
person
H376
אִ֛ישׁ
person
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 18
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)
מִבְּנֵ֥י
And he had a son
H1121
מִבְּנֵ֥י
And he had a son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
ט֣וֹב
a goodlier
H2896
ט֣וֹב
a goodlier
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
12 of 18
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
מִשִּׁכְמ֣וֹ
than he from his shoulders
H7926
מִשִּׁכְמ֣וֹ
than he from his shoulders
Strong's:
H7926
Word #:
14 of 18
the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of a hill
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
15 of 18
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
Cross References
Genesis 6:2That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.Numbers 13:33And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.1 Samuel 16:7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.Jeremiah 9:23Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:1 Samuel 17:4And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings were often depicted as physically imposing figures in royal art and literature. The Amarna letters and Egyptian records portray ideal rulers as tall and strong. Israel's desire for such a king reflected their cultural assimilation to surrounding nations' values rather than trust in divine provision.
Questions for Reflection
- How do our culture's standards of leadership based on appearance differ from God's criteria?
- What warning does Saul's impressive appearance, contrasted with his later failures, offer about judging by externals?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
Scripture introduces Saul with striking emphasis on his physical appearance, using the Hebrew bachur ('choice young man') and tov ('goodly' or 'good'). His exceptional height becomes a defining characteristic, standing head and shoulders above all Israel. This description carries both immediate appeal and prophetic irony: Israel wanted a king 'like all the nations' (8:5), and Saul looked the part perfectly. Yet this same emphasis on outward appearance foreshadows God's later rebuke when selecting David: 'the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart' (16:7). The narrative thus presents Saul as exactly what Israel requested, a king whose impressive physique matched pagan expectations of royalty, while simultaneously hinting that such criteria prove spiritually insufficient.