Samuel said, "Though you were little in your own sight, weren't you made the head of the tribes of Israel? Yahweh anointed you king over Israel;
"Although you were once small in your own eyes," etc.  This would then contrast with the arrogant pride and conceit Saul manifested here.  Our own view is that no emendation is necessary.  Samuel spoke sarcastically.  "Do you mean that you were so small and helpless in your own eyes that you felt that the people were in charge instead of yourself?.  Ridiculous.  You are the one whom God anointed King."  H. P. Smith agreed "That this verse seems to be a rebuke of Saul's self-confessed subservience to the people."[14]