And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

1 SAMUEL 9:2KJV
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1 Samuel 9:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 9:2 mean?

1 Samuel 9:2 describes Saul, the son of Kish, as an exceptionally handsome and impressive young man, standing taller than anyone else in Israel. The verse highlights Saul’s physical appearance and stature, setting him apart from all other Israelites.

This verse is part of the story where the prophet Samuel is about to meet Saul, who will soon be chosen as Israel’s first king. The description emphasizes Saul’s outward qualities—his attractiveness and height—because these traits made him stand out to the people, which was significant in a time when physical presence often influenced leadership choices.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 9:2

  • "goodly" (טוֹב, tov): This word means "good" or "pleasant," and here it refers to Saul’s appearance. The text repeats this idea ("goodlier"), stressing that Saul was the most attractive among all the Israelites.
  • "higher" (גָּבֹהַ, gavohah): This word means "tall" or "high." The verse notes that Saul was taller from his shoulders upward than anyone else, underlining his commanding physical presence.
  • "man" (בָּחוּר, bachur): This term often means a young man in his prime, suggesting Saul was not just physically impressive but also at an ideal age for leadership.

Why 1 Samuel 9:2 matters

  • This verse clears up that Saul’s selection as king was influenced by his striking appearance and height, not just his family background or character.
  • The emphasis on Saul’s physical qualities sets up a contrast with later stories, especially when God chooses David, who is described as less imposing but favored for his heart.
  • Understanding this description helps explain why the people of Israel were drawn to Saul as their first king, valuing outward traits that seemed to promise strong leadership.

Where else these words appear

“shoulders” Hebrew H7926 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 9:23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
  • Joshua 4:5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
  • Isaiah 9:4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

“higher” Hebrew H1364 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • Psalms 104:18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
  • Jeremiah 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

“man” Hebrew H970 · used in 44 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.
  • Isaiah 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
  • Lamentations 1:15 The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.

“upward” Hebrew H4605 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 2 Chronicles 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.