SEV Biblia, Chapter 10:27
Pero los hijos de Belial dijeron: ¿Cómo nos ha de salvar éste? Y le tuvieron en poco, y no le trajeron presente; mas él disimuló.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:27
Verse 27. Brought him no presents] They gave him no proofs that they acknowledged either the Divine appointment or his authority. The Arab chiefs are, to this day, when on a march or excursion of any kind, supplied with every necessary by the free-will offerings or presents of the people in the villages or places where they encamp. Saul was now a public character, and had a right to support from the public. These sons of Belial refused to bear their part; they brought him no presents. He marked it, but at present held his peace; he was as if he were deaf: so says the text. He was prudent, and did not immediately assume all the consequence to which his office entitled him. It is probable, however, that tribute is meant by the word present. The people in general finding they had now a king, took it for granted that they must pay tribute or taxes to him. This was a part of the manner of the king which Samuel had shown them; the great majority had done so, but certain refractory people refused to pay any thing, on the pretense that such a person as Saul could not be a deliverer of Israel. How, say they, shall this man save us?
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 27. But the children of Belial said , etc.] Wicked, dissolute, lawless persons; men without a yoke, as the word signifies, who did not care to be under the yoke of government, at least not under the yoke of Saul; and these might be men of wealth, and of larger tribes, and better families than Saul was of, and therefore envied him, and thought themselves better for government than he was; and in a jeering scornful manner said, how shall this man save us ? whose family is so mean, and whose tribe is so small, that they can give but little assistance to deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, the Philistines and Ammonites; intimating, that a king ought to have been of a rich family, and a large tribe, and a prince in it, whose interest and influence were great, not only in his own tribe, but in others, which would enable him to engage in war with an enemy, and protect the people; but what, as if they should say, can be expected from “this man?”, this mean contemptible man, of no birth nor fortune, brought up in an obscure manner, and altogether inexpert in things civil and military? and they despised him ; on account of the above things, not only in their hearts, but spared not to speak out, and use opprobrious language, and with which their actions and conduct agreed: and brought him no presents ; as others did, and as it was usual when a king came to the throne; nor were any visits made unto him, in token of their subjection to him, and complacency in him, and by way of congratulation of him, (see 1 Kings 4:21 2 Chronicles 17:5) the Targum is, they did not salute him, or ask of his welfare: but he held his peace , or “was as one that is deaf and dumb” f210 ; took no notice of what they said, as if he was deaf and heard it not, and was as silent as if he had been a dumb man, which showed his wisdom and prudence; for had he taken notice of them, he must have punished them, and he judged it more advisable to use lenity and mildness, and not begin his reign with contention and bloodshed.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 17-27 - Samuel tells the people, Ye have this day rejected your God. So littl fond was Saul now of that power, which soon after, when he possesse it, he could not think of parting with, that he hid himself. It is goo to be conscious of our unworthiness and insufficiency for the service to which we are called; but men should not go into the contrar extreme, by refusing the employments to which the Lord and the churc call them. The greater part of the people treated the matter with indifference. Saul modestly went home to his own house, but wa attended by a band of men whose hearts God disposed to support his authority. If the heart bend at any time the right way, it is becaus He has touched it. One touch is enough when it is Divine. Other despised him. Thus differently are men affected to our exalte Redeemer. There is a remnant who submit to him, and follow him whereve he goes; they are those whose hearts God has touched, whom he has mad willing. But there are others who despise him, who ask, How shall thi man save us? They are offended in him, and they will be punished __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ובני 1121 בליעל 1100 אמרו 559 מה 4100 ישׁענו 3467 זה 2088 ויבזהו 959 ולא 3808 הביאו 935 לו מנחה 4503 ויהי 1961 כמחרישׁ׃ 2790
