And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.

1 SAMUEL 10:16KJV
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1 Samuel 10:16 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 10:16 mean?

1 Samuel 10:16 shows Saul telling his uncle that Samuel had said the lost donkeys were found, but Saul does not mention anything about Samuel’s message regarding the kingdom. Saul chooses to share only part of what happened, keeping Samuel’s private words about kingship to himself.

In this verse, Saul is speaking to his uncle after returning from his meeting with Samuel. Saul’s uncle is curious about what Samuel told them, but Saul only reports the news about the donkeys (asses, H860) being found. He does not reveal the “matter of the kingdom” (kingdom, מַלְכוּת malḵûṯ, H4410) that Samuel had spoken about, showing Saul’s discretion or uncertainty about sharing such a significant message.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 10:16

  • “Kingdom” (מַלְכוּת malḵûṯ, H4410) refers to the idea of royal rule or kingship. Saul’s choice not to mention this word shows he is withholding the most important part of Samuel’s message.
  • “Matter” (דָּבָר davar, H1697) often means “word,” “thing,” or “matter.” Here, it highlights that Saul is leaving out the main subject Samuel discussed with him.
  • “Told” (נָגַד nagad, H5046) appears several times, meaning “to declare” or “to make known.” The repetition emphasizes the difference between what Saul chooses to reveal and what he keeps hidden.

Why 1 Samuel 10:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul’s rise to kingship was not immediately public knowledge; Saul himself kept it secret at first, which helps explain later events where his kingship is still being established.
  • The verse highlights Saul’s character at this early stage—he is cautious and perhaps humble, not rushing to announce his new role.
  • Understanding Saul’s silence about Samuel’s message helps readers see the tension and uncertainty surrounding Israel’s transition to having a king, a major theme in the surrounding chapters.

Where else these words appear

“kingdom” Hebrew H4410 · used in 23 verses

  • 1 Samuel 10:25 Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
  • 1 Kings 2:15 And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother's: for it was his from the LORD.
  • Psalms 22:28 For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

“asses” Hebrew H860 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 22:28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
  • 1 Samuel 10:2 When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

“uncle” Hebrew H1730 · used in 53 verses

  • Leviticus 10:4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.
  • Song of Solomon 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
  • Song of Solomon 6:1 Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.