But who is their father?— Houbigant renders this verse, But one of those who were present said thus, For who is his father? Is not Kish? Hence therefore came the proverb, Is Saul amongst the prophets? And he observes, that the Syriac, Arabic, Alexandrian, Roman, and Complutensian editions of the LXX read his father. The Alexandrian adds, Is not Kish? which we add (continues he), that the sentence may be filled up in the usual manner of the Hebrews: and as we read in the Gospel, Is not this the son of Joseph?
REFLECTIONS.—Saul and Samuel now part. Saul returns homeward, and feels a wondrous change passed upon him; no longer groveling cares nor servile labours engage his thoughts; but high and elevated sentiments becoming a king, the redressing Israel's grievances, and the weighty concerns of the state, possess his soul. The signs happened according to the prediction, and the last of them is particularly taken notice of.
No sooner was he come to the hill, than he met the prophets, and instantly joined in their devout exercises. As he was so near home, and well known there, those who saw him expressed their astonishment, that an untutored husbandman, the son of Kish, should be thus engaged; when one of the company well observed, Who is their father? Is not all prophesy from God? What signifies whose son he is, or what was his employment, if God calls and qualifies him? This afterwards became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? Note; (1.) Many such wonders has divine grace wrought, where the chief of sinners have become most eminent among the saints.
(2.) Let not great and sudden changes be too much depended on. A man may have a new tongue, new company, new manners, and yet not truly become a new man.
When he had made an end of prophesying, the gift not continuing always, he came to the high place to acknowledge the mercies that he had received, and then returned. His uncle, meeting him as he arrived, inquired of his journey, the cause of which he informs him, and their visit to Samuel; on which his uncle, perhaps suspecting something from the universal expectation which was raised of a king, is solicitous to know what passed. But Saul prudently concealed what related to the kingdom; as it seemed not yet a proper occasion to declare himself, and Samuel might have enjoined him to secrecy till the time came when his election should be publicly notified; and therefore he only speaks of the answer that Samuel gave him concerning the asses. Note; (1.) The art of prudent concealment is a piece of true wisdom. (2.) The heirs of God's kingdom will be content to be unknown in the world, till God himself shall proclaim their glory.