The baggage where Saul hid is actually the supplies.1 We are not given an explicit reason for Saul’s actions. Some commentators argue that he was being modest. The problem with this view are the preceding events that took place in 1 Samuel 9:1 – 10:16. Saul has already been anointed as king and received signs confirming that anointing. He should have been confident in God, but instead he is presented as a fearful and insecure man. Sadly, throughout his life, he will always fear the wrong things: the Philistine hordes (1 Samuel 13:7; 1 Samuel 28:5), his own army (1 Samuel 15:24), Goliath (1 Samuel 17:11, 1 Samuel 17:24), David (1 Samuel 18:12, 1 Samuel 18:15, 1 Samuel 18:29), a coup (1 Samuel 22:7–8), and Samuel’s prophecy about his death and defeat (1 Samuel 28:20–21). In contrast David is said to fear only two things: Achish, king of Gath (as a result of his own foolishness, 1 Samuel 21:12) and God (2 Samuel 6:9). Saul is not hiding because he is reserved and humble, but because he does not want to be found.2
22 So they inquired again of the LORD, “Is there a man still to come?” and the LORD said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”