But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

1 SAMUEL 10:27KJV
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1 Samuel 10:27 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 10:27 mean?

1 Samuel 10:27 describes how some people, called "the children of Belial," doubted Saul’s ability to save them as king, showed him contempt, and refused to honor him with gifts, but Saul chose not to respond to their disrespect. The verse highlights both the opposition Saul faced at the start of his reign and his restraint in dealing with critics.

The setting is just after Saul has been publicly chosen as Israel’s first king. Some Israelites, described as troublemakers, question whether Saul is fit to lead or deliver them. Instead of supporting him, they openly despise him and withhold the customary gifts given to a new king. Saul’s reaction is to remain silent and not retaliate, showing patience at the beginning of his rule.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 10:27

  • בְּנֵי בְּלִיַּעַל (bənê beliyya‘al, "children of Belial"): This phrase means "worthless men" or "troublemakers." It is a strong term for people who are rebellious or morally corrupt, emphasizing the seriousness of their rejection of Saul.
  • בָּזוּ (bazū, "despised"): This word means to treat with contempt or to look down on someone. The use of this word shows that their rejection was not just doubt, but outright disrespect.
  • מִנְחָה (minḥāh, "presents"): This word refers to offerings or gifts, often given as a sign of respect or loyalty. Their refusal to bring these gifts signals a public refusal to accept Saul’s kingship.
  • וַיְהִי כְּמַחֲרִישׁ (vayehi kəmaḥarish, "he held his peace"): This phrase means Saul kept silent or ignored the insult. It suggests self-control and a deliberate choice not to react harshly.

Why 1 Samuel 10:27 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul did not have unanimous support from the start, even after being chosen by God and anointed by Samuel, which sets up future tensions in his reign.
  • The mention of "children of Belial" reveals that opposition to leadership can come from those who are not just skeptical, but actively rebellious or disruptive.
  • Saul’s silence in the face of insult is significant, showing a moment of restraint and perhaps humility, which contrasts with his later actions as king.

Where else these words appear

“Belial” Hebrew H1100 · used in 26 verses

  • Deuteronomy 13:13 Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;
  • 1 Samuel 30:22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.
  • Job 34:18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

“despised” Hebrew H959 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
  • Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
  • Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

“peace” Hebrew H2790 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
  • Esther 7:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.
  • Proverbs 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,