SEV Biblia, Chapter 9:2
Y tenía él un hijo que se llamaba Saúl, joven y hermoso. Entre los hijos de Israel no había otro más hermoso que él; de hombros arriba sobrepasaba a cualquiera del pueblo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 9:2
Verse 2. From his shoulders and upwards] It was probably from this very circumstance that he was chosen for king; for, where kings were elective, in all ancient times great respect was paid to personal appearance.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. And he had a son whose name was Saul , etc.] Of this name was the great apostle of the Gentiles before his conversion, and was of the same tribe also; but very different in stature; he was a little man, this a large tall man, like his father perhaps; a choice young man, and a goodly ; ( 1 Samuel 2:1-10) of a goodly aspect, a comely man, tall and well shaped, in the prime of his age, a very agreeable person, one among a thousand: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he ; meaning not for the endowments of his mind, or his moral character and behaviour. There might be as good, or better men than he, on such accounts, but for his outward appearance, his bodily shape, and the dignity of his person: from his shoulders and upwards he was higher than any of the people ; this description of him is enlarged upon and explained, to show that he was just such a person the people were desirous of having king over them, such an one as the nations about them had; and it was usual with the eastern people, and so with the Greeks and Romans, to choose persons to the highest offices of magistracy that made a personable appearance superior to others, and is what they often take notice of, as a recommendation of them as princes. Herodotus reports of the Ethiopians, that they judged the largest of the people, and him who had strength according to his size, most worthy to be king. And the same writer observes f165 , that among the many thousands of men of the army of Xerxes, there was not one who for comeliness and largeness was so worthy of the empire as Xerxes himself; so Ulysses, because of his height, was the more acceptable to the people of Corfu f166 ; so Alexander’s captains, it is said f167 , might be thought to be kings for their beautiful form, height of body, and greatness of strength and wisdom. Julius Caesar is said to be of high stature; and so Domitian f168 ; Virgil represents Turnus as in body more excellent than others, and by the entire head above them; and Anchises as walking statelier and higher than the rest f170 ; among the many encomiums Pliny gives of Trajan, as to his outward form and appearance, this is one, “proceritas corporis”, height of body, being higher than others; the Gentiles had a notion that such men came nearer to the deities, and looked more like them; so Diana is described as taller than any of the nymphs and goddesses f172 . Solomon, according to Josephus f173 , chose such young men to ride horses, and attend his person, when he himself rode, who were conspicuous for their height, and greatly above others.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - Saul readily went to seek his father's asses. His obedience to his father was praise-worthy. His servant proposed, that since they wer now at Ramah, they should call on Samuel, and take his advice. Whereve we are, we should use our opportunities of acquainting ourselves with those who are wise and good. Many will consult a man of God, if he comes in their way, that would not go a step out of their way to ge wisdom. We sensibly feel worldly losses, and bestow much pains to make them up; but how little do we attempt, and how soon are we weary, is seeking the salvation of our souls! If ministers could tell men how to secure their property, or to get wealth, they would be more consulte and honoured than they now are, though employed in teaching them how to escape eternal misery, and to obtain eternal life. Most people woul rather be told their fortune than their duty. Samuel needed not their money, nor would he have denied his advice, if they had not brought it but they gave it to him as a token of respect, and of the value the put upon his office, and according to the general usage of those times always to bring a present to those in authority.
Original Hebrew
ולו היה 1961 בן 1121 ושׁמו 8034 שׁאול 7586 בחור 970 וטוב 2896 ואין 369 אישׁ 376 מבני 1121 ישׂראל 3478 טוב 2896 ממנו 4480 משׁכמו 7926 ומעלה 4605 גבה 1364 מכל 3605 העם׃ 5971
