And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of Benjamin? — Saul's response reveals his own sense of insignificance and unworthiness. Benjamin was indeed the smallest tribe (see Judges 20:15; 1 Samuel 15:2), and Saul emphasizes that his family ('mishpahti) is the least ('tzǝ'īrot, smallest) within that small tribe. This protestation of unworthiness follows a pattern in scripture: Moses protests when called to deliver Israel (Exodus 3:11), Jeremiah declares himself too young (Jeremiah 1:6), and Gideon questions his lowly family (Judges 6:15). The self-abasement may be genuine humility or cultural politeness, but it sets up the contrast between human self-perception and divine election. God does not choose the great and mighty but the lowly and unexpected.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse