1 Samuel10

Samuel anoints Saul as king, providing him with prophetic signs that quickly come to pass, including Saul prophesying and being transformed by the Spirit of the LORD. Saul, however, conceals the full extent of Samuel's message from his uncle. Later, Samuel gathers Israel at Mizpeh, where Saul is publicly chosen by lot and presented to the people, who acclaim him as king. Samuel records the kingdom's ordinances, and Saul departs with loyal men, though some express contempt.
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Saul Is Anointed King Privately

1
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? ​
2
When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? ​
3
Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:
4
And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.
5
After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: ​
6
And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. ​
7
And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.
8
And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do. ​

The Prophetic Signs Are Fulfilled

9
And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. ​
10
And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
11
And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? ​
12
And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? ​
13
And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.
14
And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.
15
And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.
16
And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not. ​

Saul Is Chosen Publicly at Mizpeh

17
And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh; ​
18
And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:
19
And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands. ​
20
And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
21
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.
22
Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff. ​
23
And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. ​
24
And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
25
Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. ​

The King’s Initial Reception

26
And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched. ​
27
But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace. ​

Study Notes for 1 Samuel 10

Verse 1

The anointing with oil was a ritual act symbolizing divine selection and consecration for a specific office. Samuel’s kiss signifies allegiance and recognition of Saul's new status as God's chosen leader.

Verse 2

Samuel provides three precise signs to confirm the divine nature of the anointing and reassure Saul. The first sign, the finding of the asses, addresses the immediate concern that brought Saul to Samuel.

Verse 5

The 'hill of God' (likely Gibeah or Gibeath-elohim) was a local high place, but the Philistine garrison stationed there underscores the severe military threat Israel faced, necessitating a king.

Verse 6

The Spirit of the LORD empowering Saul signifies his transformation and qualification for leadership. To be ‘turned into another man’ means receiving a new capacity and purpose necessary for kingship.

Verse 8

This command for Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal is a crucial instruction, establishing Samuel’s ongoing prophetic authority and serving as a test of Saul’s obedience (a test Saul later fails in chapter 13).

Verse 9

Saul’s internal transformation ('God gave him another heart') emphasizes that his fitness for kingship was a divine gift, not merely a natural character trait, enabling him to fulfill his mission.

Verse 11

The surprise expressed here reflects the unexpected nature of Saul's ecstatic behavior, as he was not previously known to be associated with prophetic circles or schools.

Verse 12

The proverb, 'Is Saul also among the prophets?', highlights the divine origin of prophecy; the prophetic gift is not inherited but bestowed by God, regardless of one's lineage ('who is their father?').

Verse 16

Saul demonstrates prudence and humility by concealing the matter of the kingdom from his uncle. This secrecy protects the divine plan before the public, official selection.

Verse 17

Mizpeh, a traditional assembly point, was used for national gatherings and covenant renewal (7:5). Samuel gathers the nation to formally ratify the choice of king publicly.

Verse 19

Samuel reminds the people that their demand for a king constitutes a rejection of God (Yahweh) as their direct sovereign. This sets a theological framework for the monarchy, defining it as a concession rather than a perfect ideal.

Verse 22

Saul’s initial act of hiding among the baggage ('the stuff') suggests either humility, fear, or reluctance regarding the immense responsibility of his public role, despite his physical stature.

Verse 23

Saul’s impressive physical height (a head taller than the rest) fits the ancient near-eastern expectation that a king should possess commanding and imposing physical characteristics.

Verse 25

The 'manner of the kingdom' refers to the legal and constitutional guidelines for the monarchy, likely outlining the king's duties and limitations, ensuring the king remained accountable to God's law.

Verse 26

The 'band of men' (or army/company) whose 'hearts God had touched' formed the loyal, divinely motivated core of Saul’s initial support structure and government.

Verse 27

The 'children of Belial' (worthless men) voiced immediate opposition, despising Saul because of his ordinary background. Saul’s silence in the face of scorn demonstrates initial self-control and wisdom.

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