1 Samuel 10:27 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Worthless men scorn Saul, asking how he could save them and withholding gifts, but Saul keeps silent.
What Does 1 Samuel 10:27 Mean?
Not everyone welcomes the new king. Certain worthless men sneer, 'How shall this man save us?', despising Saul and refusing the customary gifts of honor. Yet Saul answers their contempt not with retaliation but with silence; he holds his peace.
His restraint in this moment is admirable. Rather than crush his critics, Saul lets the insult pass and waits. There is strength in a quiet answer, in leaving vindication to God and time. The pattern points beyond Saul to the deeper truth that the truest King would also be despised and rejected, and would bear scorn in silence, entrusting Himself to the One who judges justly.
1 Samuel 10:27 in the Original Language
beliyaal (בְּלִיַּעַל), 'Belial' -- worthlessness or wickedness, naming people utterly without moral value.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 10:27
What does 1 Samuel 10:27 mean?
Worthless men scorn Saul, asking how he could save them and withholding gifts, but Saul keeps silent.