1 Samuel 10:16

16 Saul said to his uncle, "He told us that the donkeys had been found." But about the matter of the kingship, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.

1 Samuel 10:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 10:16

And Saul said unto his uncle
In answer to his question:

he told us plainly the asses were found;
or "in telling told us" ^F8; not only plainly in so many words, but he affirmed it with the greatest certainty that the asses were found, and we need not give ourselves further trouble about them:

but of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told
him not;
he said not one word about that, which is commonly ascribed to his modesty; or he might conceal it, as Josephus ^F9 observes, because he thought it would not be believed by his relations, or might create in them envy to him; and besides, he knew it was the pleasure of Samuel that it should be kept a secret until the election by lot was over, lest it should be thought to proceed from Samuel himself; and Saul chose it should remain so, that it might not be thought to be of his own seeking; and by keeping it from his relations and friends, it would be a clear case that he did not make interest for it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 (dygh dgh) "indicando indicavit", Pagninus, Montanus
F9 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 6. c. 4. scet. 3.)

1 Samuel 10:16 In-Context

14 Saul's uncle said to him and to the boy, "Where did you go?" And he replied, "To seek the donkeys; and when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel."

15 Saul's uncle said, "Tell me what Samuel said to you."

16 Saul said to his uncle, "He told us that the donkeys had been found." But about the matter of the kingship, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.

17 Samuel summoned the people to the Lord at Mizpah

18 and said to them, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, "I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.'