What does 1 Samuel 9:2 mean? "Saul was the most handsome man in Israel"

[Bo3]

"And he had a choice and handsome son whose name [was] Saul. [There was] not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward [he was] taller than any of the people."

-1 Samuel 9:2

 

[mmksparbud]

He was tall and handsome--so was David. People can be tall and homely--or short and beautiful, or short and ugly!

 

[childofdust]

"And he had a choice and handsome son whose name [was] Saul. [There was] not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward [he was] taller than any of the people."

-1 Samuel 9:2

It means "WATCH OUT!" in biblical terminology. The bible often likes to portray people going after the "beautiful" or "handsome" one and that one turns out to cause them trouble. Contrary to typical Greek thought, just because you're good-looking doesn't make you a good person. Despite Saul's looks, he wasn't fit for the office of Israel's leader. As soon as you read "he was more handsome than anyone in Israel," you know things are about to get ugly.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Even though God looks on the heart,

David was too though

Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

Though speaks of Saul from the shoulders upward, of Davids son Absalom, it was from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head

There was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

Whereas of Jesus Christ

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

 

[Talen Ortz]

If all the prophets were 'ugly', some people would start believing 'handsome' men have no place in the Kingdom of God.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Judge not based on appearances, but rather judge righteous judgment.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Absolutely

I think he was wondering why that was written in that way, even the other places, got me curious as to why they are mentioned that way.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Often times that which is highly esteemed amoung men is an abomination to God.

1 Samuel 12:13
Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.

Just as Jesus being lowly, meek, and plain was just not the King many in Israel were looking for to come because they judged by appearances.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Often times that which is highly esteemed amoung men is an abomination to God.

1 Samuel 12:13
Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.

Just as Jesus being lowly, meek, and plain was just not the King many in Israel were looking for to come because they judged by appearances.

Now I get that, but its funny how before God was going to have Samuel anoint him, because right before doing so it says...

1Sam 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

And yet again, what I derive from it is that God still looks at the heart, so we cant draw from this account that God anoints only unattractive men (even by this). Its like this was added also to deter any such confidence in looking by outer appearance. Despite this being shown just before.

God bless you

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Now I get that, but its funny how before God was going to have Samuel anoint him, because right before doing so it says...

1Sam 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

And yet again, what I derive from it is that God still looks at the heart, so we cant draw from this account that God anoints only unattractive men (even by this). Its like this was added also to deter any such confidence in looking by outer appearance. Despite this being shown just before.

God bless you

That's right, outward appearances (be they beautiful, or ugly) does not matter to God, but to the carnally minded man it does matter.

Those who are born of this world are also of the prince of this world. He (Satan) would rule over them by that same spirit (his desire) working in their hearts and minds.

1 Samuel 8:6-9

King James Version (KJV)

6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.
7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.
9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

I believe the Lord was showing how those born of the flesh, and of this world would judge beauty outwardly, but those of His Spirit would judge righteous judgment (inwardly.)

How many ugly supermodels do you see, or ugly weather ladies on t.v., or advertisements that don't use eye appeal as a strong selling point?

Most people are being ruled by Him. (lust of the eye, lust of the flesh)

 

[Fireinfolding]

Yes, the carnal man for the most part prefer that eyecandy

The Philistine distained David on the basis of appearance though

1Sam 17:32 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

Davids youth and good looks werent so much admired by him huh?

The big guys always fall the hardest and the fastest in their underestimation of a little guy, but especially one (if God be with you) whose power is made perfect in their weakness.

The little guys have the advantage then

 

[Isatis]

"And he had a choice and handsome son whose name [was] Saul. [There was] not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward [he was] taller than any of the people."

-1 Samuel 9:2

It just means what it says. There is nothing wrong with being physically handsome. King David (1 Sam. 16:18), Joseph (Gen. 39:6) or Absalom (2 Sam. 14:25) are also said to be remarkably handsome.
The Bible rarely describes people physically. We need to find out how important their physical attributes are to the story. Zacchaeus - described as a short man - climbed up a sycamore fig tree to be able to see Jesus. What does that teach us? Well, different people learned different lessons if you google "lessons from Zacchaeus", you get 2,540 search results!!! Google

Why does the Bible describe Saul's outward appearance? Could be because his physical stature (taller than any) and his personal appearance (more handsome than anyone in Israel) gave him potential for leadership. Israel had already God as theirs spiritual King but they wanted a physical one like other nations, so God gave them one.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Yes, the carnal man for the most part prefer that eyecandy

The Philistine distained David on the basis of appearance though

1Sam 17:32 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

Davids youth and good looks werent so much admired by him huh?

The big guys always fall the hardest and the fastest in their underestimation of a little guy, but especially one (if God be with you) whose power is made perfect in their weakness.

The little guys have the advantage then

Yes he made the mistake of judging Davids strength based on appearances, and not that he was a man after the Lord's own heart.

Jesus said of those carnally minded men that they judge after the flesh, but that He would judge no man.

Think of all the divisions, and even wars that have been fought just because of the flesh. How one man claims to be superior over the other man by reason of the color of his skin, or blood line. Israel made the same mistake, just as many who call themselves Christians do the same these days by separating themselves by color and nationality.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Yes he made the mistake of judging Davids strength based on appearances, and not that he was a man after the Lord's own heart.

Jesus said of those carnally minded men that they judge after the flesh, but that He would judge no man.

Think of all the divisions, and even wars that have been fought just because of the flesh. How one man claims to be superior over the other man by reason of the color of his skin, or blood line. Israel made the same mistake, just as many who call themselves Christians do the same these days by separating themselves by color and nationality.

I didnt know some christians separated themselves by color and nationality actually. I know carnal men separate on holy men. For they might say "I am of Paul, I am of Apollos" or "I am of Cephas" and yet others who do so also which say "I am of Christ"

So even such divisions and contentions on the last one (Christ)

Though "there" (to me) it seems to indicate the presence of same worldly competition pulled into the churches (but in respects to who is the "most spiritual"). Same showy type stuff (about self) looky at me, I got my spiritual "thang" going on. Thats what it sure reminds me of anyway.

So in one sense its not always about fleshly things, but divisions on holy men, inclusive of our Lord Jesus Christ himself (among all of which) there should be no divisions, no, not in the Spirit.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

I didnt know some christians separated themselves by color and nationality actually.

I said those who call themselves Christians. You never heard of, or seen black and white segregation in Churches? Where you been?

 

[Fireinfolding]

I said those who call themselves Christians. You never heard of, or seen black and white segregation in Churches? Where you been?

Very sheltered apparently, I dont get out much bro, though Im well aquainted with that which Paul points out (thats much more visible to see) and just as carnal.

The other is just more icing on the carnal cake I would think, or at least that which would be much more obvious (then the first) if seen.