Following the manner of Moses (Exodus 3:11; Exodus 4:10), Saul respectfully objected. Quite possibly it is meant to show his humility.1 As an aside, though Benjamin was small in number, their territory lay in a very strategic position. Located between north and south, they were in the heart of Israel and someone from their tribe would thus be in a good position to serve as king.2
21 Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?”