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1 Samuel 9:21

1 Samuel 9:21
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 the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

My Notes

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Baptist theologian, 1697–1771

Gill's Exposition

And Saul answered and said, am not I a Benjamite,.... Or the son of Jemini, the name of one of his ancestors, see Sa1 9:1 or rather, as the Targum, a son of the tribe of Benjamin:

of the smallest of…

Presbyterian pastor, 1798–1870

Barnes' Notes

The tribe of Benjamin, originally the smallest of all the tribes Num 1:36, if Ephraim and Manasseh are reckoned as one tribe, had been nearly annihilated by the civil war recorded in Judg. 20. It had…

Methodist theologian, 1762–1832

Adam Clarke

Am not I a Benjamite - This speech of Saul is exceedingly modest; he was now becomingly humble; but who can bear elevation and prosperity? The tribe of Benjamin had not yet recovered its strength,…

Nonconformist minister, 1662–1714

Matthew Henry

1 Samuel 9:18-27

Providence having at length brought Samuel and Saul together, we have here an account of what passed between them in the gate, at the feast, and in private.

I. In the gate of the city; passing through…

Academic commentary, 1882–1921

Cambridge Bible

the smallest of the tribes of Israel The warlike tribe of Benjamin, the smallest except Manasseh at the time of the numbering in the wilderness (Num 1:37), was reduced to insignificance by the…