Why was Saul hiding among the baggage?
Question:
In I Samuel 10:22 it says that Saul was hidden with the equipment. What do you think this indicates? Was he afraid and in hiding? Or maybe he was humble and not wanting to appear as too eager?
Also in I Samuel 10:27, do you think the gifts were physical or could they have also been just words of praise or encouragement? These men withheld these gifts, did this indicate that they did not approve of the choice of Saul as king?
Answer:
"When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found. Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, "Has the man come here yet?" And the LORD answered, "There he is, hidden among the equipment."" (I Samuel 10:21-22).
Most likely Saul didn't think he was worthy to be named king. Just a bit before, when Samuel anointed him, "And Saul answered and said, "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?"" (I Samuel 9:21). And later when Samuel was scolding him, Samuel reminded him of his humble beginning. "So Samuel said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel?"" (I Samuel 15:17).
"But some rebels said, "How can this man save us?" So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace" (I Samuel 10:27).
The Hebrew word is minchah which means to bestow a gift or bring a tribute. So they refused to monetarily support this man who was proclaimed king. See I Kings 10:25; II Chronicles 17:5; and Matthew 2:11 for other examples of this being done for a king.
