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

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?

When you leave me today, you will find two men at Rachel’s tomb in Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you seek have been found, and now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and started worrying about you, asking, “What should I do about my son?”’

Then you will go on from there until you come to the Oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.

They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from their hands.

After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.

Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.

When these signs have come, do as the occasion demands, for God is with you.

And you shall go before me to Gilgal, and surely I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do.”

The Prophetic Signs Are Fulfilled

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.

All those who had formerly known Saul and saw him prophesying with the prophets asked one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

Then a man who lived there replied, “And who is their father?” So the saying became a proverb: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

And when Saul had finished prophesying, he went up to the high place.

Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where did you go?” “To look for the donkeys,” Saul replied. “When we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”

“Tell me,” Saul’s uncle asked, “what did Samuel say to you?”

And Saul replied, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But Saul did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.

Saul Is Chosen Publicly at Mizpeh

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.”

Thus Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected.

Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him.

So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”

So they ran and brought Saul, and when he stood among the people, he was a head taller than any of the others.

Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

Then Samuel explained to the people the rights of kingship. He wrote them on a scroll and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, each to his own home.

The King’s Initial Reception

Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, and the men of valor whose hearts God had touched went with him.

But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.

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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1 Samuel10

Saul Is Anointed King Privately

The Prophetic Signs Are Fulfilled

Saul Is Chosen Publicly at Mizpeh

The King’s Initial Reception

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