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?

1 SAMUEL 10:2KJV
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1 Samuel 10:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 10:2 mean?

1 Samuel 10:2 describes Samuel telling Saul that after they part ways that day, Saul will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah. These men will tell Saul that the donkeys he was searching for have been found and that his father is now worried about Saul himself instead of the donkeys.

Samuel, the prophet, is speaking directly to Saul, who has just been anointed as Israel’s first king. This verse is part of Samuel giving Saul specific signs to confirm God’s choice and reassure him. The mention of Rachel’s tomb and the border of Benjamin grounds the event in a real, familiar location, and the message about the donkeys shifts Saul’s focus from his original errand to his new calling.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 10:2

  • רָחֵל (Rachel, transliterated "Rachel") and קֶבֶר (qeber, transliterated "sepulchre") together point to a well-known burial site, emphasizing the historical and emotional significance of the place where Saul will receive this sign.
  • גְּבוּל (gevul, transliterated "border") and בִּנְיָמִן (Binyamin, transliterated "Benjamin") highlight that this encounter happens within Saul’s own tribal territory, underlining his connection to his people and heritage.
  • נָטַשׁ (natash, transliterated "left") is used for Saul’s father leaving the care of the donkeys, which can carry the sense of abandoning or setting aside, showing a shift in concern from lost animals to a missing son.

Why 1 Samuel 10:2 matters

  • This verse shows that Samuel’s prophecy is very specific, giving Saul clear, testable signs that God is guiding these events, which helps Saul trust Samuel’s message.
  • The location at Rachel’s tomb connects Saul’s story to Israel’s larger history, since Rachel is a key matriarch and her burial place is a landmark of sorrow and hope for the tribe of Benjamin.
  • The shift in Saul’s father’s worry from the donkeys to Saul himself highlights a change in priorities, foreshadowing Saul’s new role and the personal cost of leadership.

Where else these words appear

“sorroweth” Hebrew H1672 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 9:5 And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
  • Isaiah 57:11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
  • Jeremiah 38:19 And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.

“me” Hebrew H5978 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 5:31 But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.
  • Job 23:6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

“sepulchre” Hebrew H6900 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 35:20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.
  • 2 Kings 21:26 And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • Isaiah 14:20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

“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 10:14 And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.