Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 10:20
And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
20. We are not told expressly by what process the selection was made, but it was probably by casting lots. Compare Jos 7:14 ff. The lot was in common use among all nations of antiquity. It is regarded in Scripture not as a chance decision, but as a legitimate method of ascertaining the divine will (Pro 16:33). We read of its being used
(1) To select an attacking force (Jdg 20:9-10).
(2) For the allotment of conquered territory or spoil (Jos 18:10; cp. Joe 3:3).
(3) To detect criminals (Jos 7:14; 1Sa 14:42).
(4) For the choice of officers, &c. (1Ch 24:5; Luk 1:9; Act 1:26).
(5) For the selection of the scape-goat (Lev 16:8; Lev 16:10).
(6) For the settlement of disputes generally (Pro 18:18).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Caused … to come near … was taken – The Hebrew phrases are exactly the same as in Jos 7:16-17, where the King James Version renders the first has brought.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
To come near unto the place appointed for the casting of lots. This tribe was now preferred before Judah, because the kingdom was freely promised by God to Judah, and was to be given to him in love; but now the kingdom was in a manner forced from God, and given to them in anger, Hos 13:11, and therefore conferred upon an obscure tribe.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And when Samuel had caused all the tribes to come near,…. The heads and representatives of them, to the place where the lots were cast:
the tribe of Benjamin was taken; the lot fell upon that tribe for the choice of a king out of it; not the tribe of, Reuben, who was the firstborn, nor the tribe of Judah, to whom the kingdom was promised, but the tribe of Benjamin, the least of all the tribes, and which sprung from the youngest son of Jacob, contrary, as it were probable, to the expectation of all.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) The tribe of Benjamin was taken.How the lots were taken is not said; usually it was by throwing tablets (Jos. 18:6; Jos. 18:8), but sometimes by drawing from a vessel or urn, as in Num. 33:54. The latter, from the Hebrew word used, was probably the method employed on this occasion.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(20) And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken. (21) When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.
No doubt the Lord had appointed this mode of election though it is not said. But it became a further proof that Saul was chosen of God, by the event. The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Pro 16:33 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 10:20 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
Ver. 20. To come near. ] As Jos 7:14 . See there.
The tribe of Benjamin was taken,
a Josephus saith it was done by lots, lib. vi. cap. 5.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
was taken : i.e. by lot, by the Urim and Thummim. See note on Exo 28:30.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
caused: 1Sa 14:41, Jos 7:16-18, Act 1:24-26
Reciprocal: 1Sa 14:38 – Draw ye near 2Sa 3:19 – Benjamin Jon 1:7 – and let
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 10:20. Benjamin was taken Which tribe was now preferred before Judah, because the kingdom was freely promised by God to Judah, and was to be given to him in love; but now the kingdom was in a manner forced from God, and given them in anger, and therefore conferred upon an obscure tribe.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
10:20 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was {h} taken.
(h) That is, by casting of lot.