1 Samuel 10:14-16

Saul's Uncle Asks Him About His Search, But As Samuel Had Clearly Wanted, He Says Nothing About What He Has Been Told About The Kingship (1 Samuel 10:14).

This incident could have taken place either at Gibeah, or it could have taken place at a regular feast where all the male members of the family would be present. Its point is to bring out the fact that Saul kept all that he knew to himself.

1 Samuel 10:14

‘ And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To look for the asses, and when we saw that they were not found, we came to Samuel.” '

Saul's uncle seems simply to be asking a casual question. ‘I had noticed your absence, where have you been?' For Saul explains that he had been out looking for lost asses, and that this had brought them in contact with Samuel.

1 Samuel 10:15

‘ And Saul's uncle said, “Tell me, I pray you, what Samuel said to you.” '

Being aware of the rumours of what had happened to Samuel among the prophets this appears to have aroused his uncle's interest, and he enquires as to what Samuel had said to him.

1 Samuel 10:16

‘ And Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the asses were found.” But concerning the matter of the kingship, of which Samuel spoke, he did not tell him.'

But Saul was keeping matters to himself, especially in view of the fact that that was how Samuel seemed to have wanted it, and he simply informed him that Samuel had told them that the asses had been found. He said nothing about the matter of the kingship. That was a private matter between him and Samuel.