Acts 13:21
And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔδωκεν
gave
G1325
ἔδωκεν
gave
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
5 of 18
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
8 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν
the son
G5207
υἱὸν
the son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
11 of 18
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
14 of 18
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Cross References
1 Samuel 10:1Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?1 Samuel 15:1Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.1 Samuel 11:15And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
Historical Context
Paul preached this sermon in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch (c. AD 47-48) during his first missionary journey. He recounted Israel’s history to demonstrate God’s faithfulness leading to the Messiah. Saul reigned approximately 1050-1010 BC; Josephus and Jewish tradition assigned him a 40-year reign, though 1 Samuel gives incomplete chronology.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you see the pattern of "asking" for what seems good externally but proves spiritually disastrous in your own life or culture?
- What does God giving Israel exactly what they desired teach about the danger of demanding our own way rather than trusting His timing and plan?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And afterward they desired a king (αἰτέω, aiteo)—Israel’s demand for a king (1 Samuel 8:5) was rooted in covenant unfaithfulness, rejecting the LORD as their King (1 Samuel 8:7). Paul emphasizes this as they desired, highlighting human initiative rather than divine design.
God gave unto them Saul (Σαούλ, from Hebrew שָׁאוּל, sha’ul meaning "asked for")—The irony is profound: God gave them exactly what they asked for. Saul embodied Israel’s self-will—tall, impressive outwardly (1 Samuel 9:2), but ultimately a tragic failure. A man of the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe (1 Samuel 9:21), yet Saul’s reign foreshadowed the greater Saul of Tarsus (also Benjamite, Philippians 3:5) who would be transformed to serve God’s true King. Forty years marks a complete generation of testing, paralleling Israel’s wilderness wandering—both periods of divine patience with rebellion.