New International VersionThen the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.
New Living TranslationThen the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years.
English Standard VersionThen they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Berean Standard BibleThen the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.
Berean Literal BibleThen they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
King James BibleAnd afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
New King James VersionAnd afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
New American Standard BibleThen they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
NASB 1995“Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
NASB 1977 “And then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Legacy Standard Bible Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Amplified BibleThen they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Christian Standard BibleThen they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen they asked for a king, so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for 40 years.
American Standard VersionAnd afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.
Contemporary English Versionbut the people demanded a king. So for 40 years God gave them King Saul, the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin.
English Revised VersionAnd afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"Then the people demanded a king, so God gave them Saul, son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. After forty years
Good News TranslationAnd when they asked for a king, God gave them Saul son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, to be their king for forty years.
International Standard VersionWhen they demanded a king, God gave them Kish's son Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, for 40 years.
NET BibleThen they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.
New Heart English BibleAfterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd afterward they desired a king: and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
Weymouth New TestamentNext they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a Benjamite, who reigned forty years. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.
World English BibleAfterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand thereafter they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul, son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years;
Berean Literal BibleThen they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Young's Literal Translation and thereafter they asked for a king, and God did give to them Saul, son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd thence they desired a king; and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, forty years. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd after that they desired a king: and God gave them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, forty years.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd later on, they petitioned for a king. And God gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
New American BibleThen they asked for a king. God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
New Revised Standard VersionThen they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for a period of forty years.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd then they asked for themselves a King, and God gave them Shaul, son of Qish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd afterward they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Godbey New TestamentAnd then they asked for a king: and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, forty years;
Haweis New TestamentAnd from that time they desired a king: and God gave them Saul the son of Kis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, during forty years.
Mace New Testamentwhen having demanded a king, God gave them Saul the son of Cis, of the tribe of Benjamin: the government of both having lasted forty years,
Weymouth New TestamentNext they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a Benjamite, who reigned forty years.
Worrell New TestamentAnd afterward they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul, a son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years;
Worsley New TestamentAnd then they desired a king: and God gave them Saul the Son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context In Pisidian Antioch… 20All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them forty years under Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. 22After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’…
Cross References 1 Samuel 8:5-22“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” / But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. / And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king. ...
1 Samuel 9:15-17Now on the day before Saul’s arrival, the LORD had revealed to Samuel, / “At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.” / When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.”
1 Samuel 10:1Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?
1 Samuel 10:17-24After this, Samuel summoned the people to the LORD at Mizpah / and said to the Israelites, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hands of the Egyptians and of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ / But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.” ...
1 Samuel 12:13Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you.
1 Samuel 15:1-35Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD. / This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them on their way up from Egypt. / Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” ...
Hosea 13:10-11Where is your king now to save you in all your cities, and the rulers to whom you said, “Give me a king and princes”? / So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away.
1 Samuel 11:14-15Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” / So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.
1 Samuel 16:1Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”
1 Samuel 16:13So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 13:13-14“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. / But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”
1 Samuel 9:1-2Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. / And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.
1 Samuel 10:9-10As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all the signs came to pass that day. / When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them.
1 Samuel 12:1-2Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king. / Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day.
1 Samuel 8:1-3When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. / The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. / But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.
1 Samuel 8:5-22
And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations… 1 Samuel 12:12-19
And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king… Saul. 1 Samuel 10:1,21-26
Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? … 1 Samuel 11:15
And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. 1 Samuel 15:1
Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. Cis. 1 Samuel 9:1,2
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power… 1 Samuel 10:21
When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found. Kish. Jump to Previous Afterward Benjamin Benjamite Desired Family Forty Kish Reigned Request Saul Space Thereafter TribeJump to Next Afterward Benjamin Benjamite Desired Family Forty Kish Reigned Request Saul Space Thereafter TribeActs 13 1. Paul and Barnabas are chosen to go to the Gentiles.6. Of Sergius Paulus, and Elymas the sorcerer.13. Paul preaches at Antioch that Jesus is Christ.42. The Gentiles believe;44. but the Jews talked abusively against Paul, 46. whereupon they turn to the Gentiles, of whom many believe.50. The Jews raise a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, who go to Iconium.Then the people asked for a kingThe Israelites' request for a king is recorded in 1 Samuel 8:5-7. This request marked a significant shift from the theocratic rule under judges to a monarchy. The people's desire for a king was influenced by their desire to be like other nations ( 1 Samuel 8:20), which was contrary to God's intention for Israel to be distinct and set apart ( Exodus 19:5-6). This request was seen as a rejection of God's direct rule over them. and God gave them Saul son of Kish
Saul was chosen by God despite the people's misguided motives. His selection is detailed in 1 Samuel 9-10. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, which was the smallest tribe (1 Samuel 9:21), highlighting God's sovereignty in choosing leaders. Saul's anointing by Samuel (1 Samuel 10:1) signified God's approval, even though it was a concession to the people's demands. from the tribe of Benjamin
The tribe of Benjamin had a tumultuous history, including near extinction due to civil war (Judges 20-21). Saul's selection from this tribe demonstrates God's ability to bring leadership from unexpected places. Benjamin's location, between the northern and southern tribes, also had strategic significance for uniting the kingdom. who ruled forty years
Saul's reign is traditionally understood to have lasted forty years, though the exact duration is debated due to textual variations (1 Samuel 13:1). The number forty often symbolizes a period of testing or judgment in the Bible, as seen in the forty years of Israel's wilderness wandering (Numbers 14:33-34) and Jesus' forty days of fasting (Matthew 4:2). Saul's reign was marked by initial success but ultimately ended in failure due to disobedience to God (1 Samuel 15:26-28). Persons / Places / Events 1. The People of IsraelThe Israelites, God's chosen people, who demanded a king to lead them like other nations. 2. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel, from the tribe of Benjamin. 3. KishSaul's father, indicating Saul's lineage and tribal affiliation. 4. The Tribe of BenjaminOne of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for its warriors and strategic location. 5. The Period of Forty YearsThe duration of Saul's reign as king over Israel. Teaching Points The Danger of ConformityIsrael's desire for a king was driven by a desire to be like other nations, highlighting the danger of conforming to worldly standards rather than seeking God's will. God's Sovereignty in LeadershipDespite Israel's misguided request, God remained sovereign, using even flawed leaders like Saul to accomplish His purposes. The Consequences of DisobedienceSaul's reign serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. The Importance of Godly LeadershipThis passage underscores the need for leaders who are obedient to God and His Word, contrasting Saul's failures with the ideal of a godly king. Trusting in God's TimingIsrael's impatience led to Saul's premature kingship, reminding us to trust in God's perfect timing and plan for our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 13:21?
2. How does Acts 13:21 reflect Israel's desire for a king like other nations?
3. What lessons can we learn from Israel's request for a king in Acts 13:21?
4. How does 1 Samuel 8:5-7 connect with Israel's request in Acts 13:21?
5. How can we apply the consequences of Israel's choice in Acts 13:21 today?
6. What does Acts 13:21 teach about seeking God's will over human desires?
7. Why did God allow Israel to have a king despite His warnings?
8. How does Saul's reign reflect on God's sovereignty in Acts 13:21?
9. What does Acts 13:21 reveal about human desire for leadership?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 13?
11. What are the genealogies and reigns of Israel's leaders?
12. How does 1 Samuel 13:1–2 reconcile with Acts 13:21, which states Saul reigned for forty years?
13. Why was Saul chosen as a vessel by God?
14. What key events shaped Saul's life and legacy?What Does Acts 13:21 Mean Then the people asked for a king• Acts 13:21 reaches back to 1 Samuel 8:5,19–22, where Israel says, “Appoint a king over us, to judge us like all the other nations.” • Their desire reveals a heart shift—from trusting God’s direct rule through judges (Judges 21:25) to craving human leadership. • God called their request a rejection of Him as King (1 Samuel 8:7), yet He allowed it, illustrating how He may permit what people insist on, while also warning of the consequences (1 Samuel 8:9–18; Hosea 13:10–11). • Paul, in Acts 13, highlights this moment to show Israel’s pattern of unbelief and God’s patient sovereignty.
and God gave them Saul son of Kish• Despite Israel’s misplaced motives, the Lord remained in control: “The LORD has set a king over you” (1 Samuel 12:13). • Saul’s selection was supernatural—chosen by lot (1 Samuel 10:19–24) and anointed by Samuel (1 Samuel 10:1). • This demonstrates God’s ability to work through—even override—human choices for His larger redemptive plan (Romans 8:28).
from the tribe of Benjamin• Benjamin was the smallest tribe after the civil strife of Judges 20, yet God elevated a Benjamite (1 Samuel 9:21). • Paul himself was a Benjamite (Philippians 3:5); mentioning Saul’s tribe subtly connects Paul’s lineage with Israel’s first king in the listeners’ minds. • God often chooses unexpected vessels—from David the shepherd (1 Samuel 16:11–13) to the twelve fishermen-disciples—to underscore that leadership is His gift, not human entitlement (1 Corinthians 1:27–29).
who ruled forty years• Luke’s summary “forty years” in Acts 13:21 is an inspired, rounded figure that aligns with Scripture’s frequent use of forty as a period of testing and transition (Genesis 7:17; Exodus 24:18; Numbers 14:33–34). • Saul’s reign, marked by early promise (1 Samuel 11) and later disobedience (1 Samuel 13:13–14; 15:22–23), illustrates how a lengthy tenure cannot compensate for a heart turned from God. • The detail prepares listeners for the contrast with David, “a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22).
summaryActs 13:21 is more than a historical footnote. Each phrase underscores God’s faithfulness amid human demands: Israel wanted a king; God granted their wish yet retained sovereign control; He chose an unlikely tribe to display His grace; and He allowed forty years for the nation to learn that outward power without inward obedience falls short. Paul’s sermon invites every reader to trust the true King who fulfills every promise—ultimately pointing to Jesus, the perfect Shepherd-King. (21) Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin.--It is natural to think of the Apostle as dwelling on the memory of the hero-king of the tribe to which he himself belonged. (Comp. Philippians 3:5.) The very fact that he had so recently renounced the name, would bring the associations connected with it more vividly to his recollection. Forty years.--The duration of Saul's reign is not given in the Old Testament, but Ish-bosheth, his youngest son (1Chronicles 8:33), was forty years old at the time of Saul's death (2Samuel 2:10), and Saul himself was a "young man" when chosen as king (1Samuel 9:2). A more definite corroboration of St. Paul's statement is given by Josephus (Ant. vi. 14, ? 9), who states that he reigned eighteen years before Samuel's death and twenty-two after it. Verse 21. - Asked for for desired, A.V.; Kish for Cis, A.V.; for for by, A.V. The forty years assigned to Saul may very probably include the seven years and six months ( 2 Samuel 5:5) which elapsed before David's kingdom was established over all Israel, while the house of Saul was still in power. The first twenty or thirty years of his reign after the rescue of Jabesh-gilead are passed over in absolute silence. The narrative from 1 Samuel 13. to 31. relates only to about the last ten years of his life (for the correction of the A.V. of 1 Samuel 13:1, see 'Speaker's Commentary').
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Thenκἀκεῖθεν (kakeithen)Conjunction
Strong's 2547: And thence, and from there; and then afterwards. From kai and ekeithen; likewise from that place.[the people] asked forᾐτήσαντο (ētēsanto)Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 154: To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.a king,βασιλέα (basilea)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.andκαὶ (kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. GodΘεὸς (Theos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.gaveἔδωκεν (edōken)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.themαὐτοῖς (autois)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.fortyτεσσεράκοντα (tesserakonta)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5062: Forty. The decade of tessares; forty.yearsἔτη (etē)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2094: A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.[under] SaulΣαοὺλ (Saoul)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4549: Of Hebrew origin; Saul, the Jewish name of Paul.sonυἱὸν (huion)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.of Kish,Κίς (Kis)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2797: Kish, the father of Saul. Of Hebrew origin; Cis, an Israelite.fromἐκ (ek)Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.[the] tribeφυλῆς (phylēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5443: A tribe or race of people. From phuo; an offshoot, i.e. Race or clan.of Benjamin.Βενιαμίν (Beniamin)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 958: Benjamin, youngest son of Jacob, founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Of Hebrew origin; Benjamin, an Israelite.
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NT Apostles: Acts 13:21 Afterward they asked for a king (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
