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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 13:21 Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them forty years under Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/13-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/44_Act_13_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 13:21 - In Pisidian Antioch" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them forty years under Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/13-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/13-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/13-20.htm" title="Acts 13:20">◄</a> Acts 13:21 <a href="/acts/13-22.htm" title="Acts 13:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/13.htm">New International Version</a> Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. <a href="/nlt/acts/13.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then 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. <a href="/esv/acts/13.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/acts/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. <a href="/blb/acts/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. <a href="/kjv/acts/13.htm">King James Bible</a> And 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. <a href="/nkjv/acts/13.htm">New King James Version</a> And 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. <a href="/nasb_/acts/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nasb/acts/13.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. <a href="/nasb77/acts/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “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. <a href="/lsb/acts/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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. <a href="/amp/acts/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a> 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. <a href="/csb/acts/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/hcsb/acts/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then they asked for a king, so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for 40 years. <a href="/asv/acts/13.htm">American Standard Version</a> And 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. <a href="/cev/acts/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> but the people demanded a king. So for 40 years God gave them King Saul, the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. <a href="/erv/acts/13.htm">English Revised Version</a> And 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. <a href="/gwt/acts/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Then the people demanded a king, so God gave them Saul, son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. After forty years <a href="/gnt/acts/13.htm">Good News Translation</a> And 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. <a href="/isv/acts/13.htm">International Standard Version</a> When they demanded a king, God gave them Kish's son Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, for 40 years. <a href="/msb/acts/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them forty years under Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. <a href="/net/acts/13.htm">NET Bible</a> Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. <a href="/nheb/acts/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Afterward 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. <a href="/wbt/acts/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And 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. <a href="/wey/acts/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Next they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a Benjamite, who reigned forty years. <a href="/web/acts/13.htm">World English Bible</a> Afterward 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and 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; <a href="/blb/acts/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. <a href="/ylt/acts/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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; <a href="/slt/acts/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And thence they desired a king; and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, forty years.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And after that they desired a king: and God gave them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, forty years. <a href="/cpdv/acts/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And 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. <a href="/nabre/acts/13.htm">New American Bible</a> Then they asked for a king. God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then 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.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then 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. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/13.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And 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.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/13.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And 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. <a href="/godbey/acts/13.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And then they asked for a king: and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, forty years; <a href="/haweis/acts/13.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And 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. <a href="/mace/acts/13.htm">Mace New Testament</a> when 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, <a href="/wey/acts/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Next they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a Benjamite, who reigned forty years. <a href="/worrell/acts/13.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And 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; <a href="/worsley/acts/13.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And 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. <a href="/parallel/acts/13-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=4267" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/13.htm">In Pisidian Antioch</a> …20All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21<a href="/greek/2547.htm" title="2547: kakeithen (Conj) -- And thence, and from there; and then afterwards. From kai and ekeithen; likewise from that place.">Then</a> <a href="/greek/154.htm" title="154: ētēsanto (V-AIM-3P) -- To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.">the people asked for</a> <a href="/greek/935.htm" title="935: basilea (N-AMS) -- A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.">a king,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: edōken (V-AIA-3S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">gave</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5062.htm" title="5062: tesserakonta (Adj-ANP) -- Forty. The decade of tessares; forty.">forty</a> <a href="/greek/2094.htm" title="2094: etē (N-ANP) -- A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.">years</a> <a href="/greek/4549.htm" title="4549: Saoul (N-AMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Saul, the Jewish name of Paul.">under Saul</a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huion (N-AMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">son</a> <a href="/greek/2797.htm" title="2797: Kis (N-GMS) -- Kish, the father of Saul. Of Hebrew origin; Cis, an Israelite.">of Kish,</a> <a href="/greek/435.htm" title="435: andra (N-AMS) -- A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man."></a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/5443.htm" title="5443: phylēs (N-GFS) -- A tribe or race of people. From phuo; an offshoot, i.e. Race or clan.">the tribe</a> <a href="/greek/958.htm" title="958: Beniamin (N-GMS) -- Benjamin, youngest son of Jacob, founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Of Hebrew origin; Benjamin, an Israelite.">of Benjamin.</a> 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.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5-22</a> “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. ... <a href="/1_samuel/9-15.htm">1 Samuel 9:15-17</a> Now 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.” <a href="/1_samuel/10-1.htm">1 Samuel 10:1</a> Then 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? <a href="/1_samuel/10-17.htm">1 Samuel 10:17-24</a> After 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.” ... <a href="/1_samuel/12-13.htm">1 Samuel 12:13</a> Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you. <a href="/1_samuel/15-1.htm">1 Samuel 15:1-35</a> Then 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.’” ... <a href="/hosea/13-10.htm">Hosea 13:10-11</a> Where 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. <a href="/1_samuel/11-14.htm">1 Samuel 11:14-15</a> Then 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. <a href="/1_samuel/16-1.htm">1 Samuel 16:1</a> Now 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.” <a href="/1_samuel/16-13.htm">1 Samuel 16:13</a> So 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. <a href="/1_samuel/13-13.htm">1 Samuel 13:13-14</a> “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.” <a href="/1_samuel/9-1.htm">1 Samuel 9:1-2</a> Now 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. <a href="/1_samuel/10-9.htm">1 Samuel 10:9-10</a> As 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. <a href="/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1-2</a> Then 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. <a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">1 Samuel 8:1-3</a> When 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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And afterward they desired a king: and God gave to them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.they.<a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5-22</a> 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… <a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12-19</a> 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.<a href="/1_samuel/10-1.htm">1 Samuel 10:1,21-26</a> 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? … <a href="/1_samuel/11-15.htm">1 Samuel 11:15</a> 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.<a href="/1_samuel/15-1.htm">1 Samuel 15:1</a> 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.<a href="/1_samuel/9-1.htm">1 Samuel 9:1,2</a> 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… <a href="/1_samuel/10-21.htm">1 Samuel 10:21</a> 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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/7-7.htm">Afterward</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-19.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/psalms/7-1.htm">Benjamite</a> <a href="/acts/13-7.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/acts/11-14.htm">Family</a> <a href="/acts/13-18.htm">Forty</a> <a href="/esther/2-5.htm">Kish</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Reigned</a> <a href="/acts/9-38.htm">Request</a> <a href="/acts/13-9.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/acts/13-20.htm">Space</a> <a href="/luke/13-9.htm">Thereafter</a> <a href="/luke/2-37.htm">Tribe</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/15-23.htm">Afterward</a> <a href="/romans/11-1.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/3-15.htm">Benjamite</a> <a href="/acts/13-28.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/acts/13-26.htm">Family</a> <a href="/acts/23-13.htm">Forty</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-1.htm">Kish</a> <a href="/romans/5-14.htm">Reigned</a> <a href="/acts/13-28.htm">Request</a> <a href="/acts/13-22.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/acts/15-33.htm">Space</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-17.htm">Thereafter</a> <a href="/romans/11-1.htm">Tribe</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 13</div>1. <a href="/acts/13-1.htm">Paul and Barnabas are chosen to go to the Gentiles.</a> 6. <a href="/acts/13-6.htm">Of Sergius Paulus, and Elymas the sorcerer.</a> 13. <a href="/acts/13-13.htm">Paul preaches at Antioch that Jesus is Christ.</a> 42. <a href="/acts/13-42.htm">The Gentiles believe;</a> 44. <a href="/acts/13-44.htm">but the Jews talked abusively against Paul, </a> 46. <a href="/acts/13-46.htm">whereupon they turn to the Gentiles, of whom many believe.</a> 50. <a href="/acts/13-50.htm">The Jews raise a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, who go to Iconium.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/acts/13.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>Then the people asked for a king This phrase marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, reflecting a significant shift from theocratic rule to monarchy. The Greek word for "asked" (αἰτέω, aiteo) implies a strong desire or demand, indicating the people's insistence on having a king like other nations. This request is documented in <a href="/1_samuel/8.htm">1 Samuel 8</a>, where the Israelites express their desire to Samuel. Historically, this reflects a period of transition and a desire for centralized leadership amidst the tribal confederation of Israel. Theologically, it represents a turning point where the people sought human leadership over divine guidance, which was seen as a rejection of God's kingship (<a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7</a>).and God gave them Saul son of Kish The phrase highlights God's response to the people's request. Despite their rejection, God grants their desire, demonstrating His sovereignty and willingness to work within human choices. Saul, whose name in Hebrew (שָׁאוּל, Sha'ul) means "asked for," is a fitting choice, as he embodies the people's request. Saul's lineage, "son of Kish," places him within the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest of the tribes, which is significant given the earlier tensions involving Benjamin (Judges 19-21). This choice underscores God's unexpected ways, as He often raises leaders from humble or unlikely beginnings.a man of the tribe of Benjamin This phrase situates Saul within the broader narrative of Israel's tribal system. The tribe of Benjamin had a tumultuous history, including near annihilation (Judges 20-21), yet God chooses a king from this tribe, highlighting themes of redemption and restoration. Theologically, it serves as a reminder that God can bring forth leaders from places of past failure or insignificance, emphasizing His grace and redemptive power.who reigned forty years The duration of Saul's reign, "forty years," is significant both numerically and symbolically. In biblical terms, the number forty often represents a period of testing, trial, or judgment (e.g., the Israelites' forty years in the wilderness, Jesus' forty days of fasting). Saul's reign was marked by both initial success and eventual failure, serving as a period of testing for Israel under monarchical rule. Historically, this timeframe aligns with the broader narrative of Israel's early monarchy, setting the stage for the rise of David, a man after God's own heart. Saul's reign, therefore, becomes a lesson in the consequences of disobedience and the importance of aligning leadership with God's will.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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. <a href="/philippians/3-5.htm" title="Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;">Philippians 3:5</a>.) 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 (<a href="/1_chronicles/8-33.htm" title="And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.">1Chronicles 8:33</a>), was forty years old at the time of Saul's death (<a href="/2_samuel/2-10.htm" title="Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.">2Samuel 2:10</a>), and Saul himself was a "young man" when chosen as king (<a href="/1_samuel/9-2.htm" title="And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.">1Samuel 9:2</a>). 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.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>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 (<a href="/2_samuel/5-5.htm">2 Samuel 5:5</a>) 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 <a href="/1_samuel/13.htm">1 Samuel 13</a>. to 31. relates only to about the last ten years of his life (for the correction of the A.V. of <a href="/1_samuel/13-1.htm">1 Samuel 13:1</a>, see 'Speaker's Commentary'). <a href="/commentaries/acts/13-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then κἀκεῖθεν (kakeithen) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2547.htm">Strong's 2547: </a> And thence, and from there; and then afterwards. From kai and ekeithen; likewise from that place. [the people] asked for ᾐτήσαντο (ētēsanto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_154.htm">Strong's 154: </a> To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask. a king, βασιλέα (basilea) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. God Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. gave ἔδωκεν (edōken) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. them αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. forty τεσσεράκοντα (tesserakonta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5062.htm">Strong's 5062: </a> Forty. The decade of tessares; forty. years ἔτη (etē) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2094.htm">Strong's 2094: </a> A year. Apparently a primary word; a year. [under] Saul Σαοὺλ (Saoul) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4549.htm">Strong's 4549: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Saul, the Jewish name of Paul. son υἱὸν (huion) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_2797.htm">Strong's 2797: </a> Kish, the father of Saul. Of Hebrew origin; Cis, an Israelite. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. [the] tribe φυλῆς (phylēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5443.htm">Strong's 5443: </a> A tribe or race of people. From phuo; an offshoot, i.e. Race or clan. of Benjamin. Βενιαμίν (Beniamin) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_958.htm">Strong's 958: </a> Benjamin, youngest son of Jacob, founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Of Hebrew origin; Benjamin, an Israelite. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/13-21.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 13:21 Afterward they asked for a king (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/13-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 13:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 13:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/13-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 13:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 13:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>