1 Samuel 10:23

23 They ran and got him. He took his place before everyone, standing tall - head and shoulders above them.

1 Samuel 10:23 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 10:23

And they ran and fetched him thence
Being in haste to see their king elect, and proclaim him:

and when he stood among the people;
being brought among them, and presented to them:

he was higher than any of the people, from the shoulders, and upwards;
which made him look very graceful and majestic; height of stature, and a comely form, as Kimchi observes, recommend to royal dignity; and make the people stand more in awe of a prince, and have always been reckoned among all other nations to make a prince venerable, (See Gill on 1 Samuel 9:2).

1 Samuel 10:23 In-Context

21 Then he lined up the Benjamin tribe in family groups, and the family of Matri was picked. The family of Matri took its place in the lineup, and the name Saul, son of Kish, was picked. But when they went looking for him, he was nowhere to be found.
22 Samuel went back to God: "Is he anywhere around?" God said, "Yes, he's right over there - hidden in that pile of baggage."
23 They ran and got him. He took his place before everyone, standing tall - head and shoulders above them.
24 Samuel then addressed the people, "Take a good look at whom God has chosen: the best! No one like him in the whole country!" Then a great shout went up from the people: "Long live the king!"
25 Samuel went on to instruct the people in the rules and regulations involved in a kingdom, wrote it all down in a book, and placed it before God. Then Samuel sent everyone home.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.