1 Samuel 9:1-2

Saul’s background 9:1-2

Saul ("Asked [of God]," cf. 1 Samuel 8:10) came from good Benjamite stock. His father was a man of property and influence. The same Hebrew expression, gibbor hayil, translated "valor," describes Boaz in Ruth 2:1 and King Jeroboam I in 1 Kings 11:28 (cf. 1 Samuel 16:18). Saul himself was physically impressive, tall, and handsome. At this time he would have been in his late 20s (cf. 1 Samuel 13:1). God gave the people just what they wanted.