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.

Saul Is Anointed King Privately

Then Sh'mu'el took a flask of oil he had prepared and poured it on Sha'ul's head. He kissed him and said, "ADONAI has anointed you to be prince over his inheritance.

After you leave me today, you will find two men by Rachel's Tomb, in the territory of Binyamin at Tzeltzah. They will tell you that the donkeys you were searching for have been found, and that your father has stopped thinking about the donkeys and is anxious over you and asking, 'What am I to do about my son?'"

Go on from there, and you will come to the Oak of Tavor. Three men will meet you there on their way up to God at Beit-El. One of them will be carrying three kids, another three loaves of bread and the third a skin of wine.

They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you are to accept from them.

After that, you will come to Giv'ah of God, where the P'lishtim are garrisoned. On arrival at the city there, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by lutes, tambourines, flutes and lyres; and they will be prophesying.

Then the Spirit of ADONAI will fall on you; you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man!

When these signs come over you, just do whatever you feel like doing, because God is with you.

Then you are to go down ahead of me to Gilgal, and there I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and present sacrifices as peace offerings. Wait there seven days, until I come to you and tell you what to do."

The Prophetic Signs Are Fulfilled

As it happened, as soon as he had turned his back to leave Sh'mu'el, God gave him another heart; and all those signs took place that day.

When they arrived at the hill, and there in front of him was a group of prophets, the Spirit of God fell on him and he prophesied along with them.

When those who knew him from before saw him there, prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, "What's happened to Kish's son? Is Sha'ul a prophet, too?"

Someone in the crowd answered, "Must prophets' fathers be special?" So it became an expression -"Is Sha'ul a prophet, too?"

When he had finished prophesying, he arrived at the high place.

Sha'ul's uncle said to him and his servant, "Where did you go?" He answered, "To look for the donkeys. When we saw that they hadn't been found, we went to Sh'mu'el."

"Tell me, please," said Sha'ul's uncle, "what Sh'mu'el said to you."

Sha'ul answered his uncle, "He told us that the donkeys had been found," but said nothing to him about the matter of his being made king.

Saul Is Chosen Publicly at Mizpeh

Sh'mu'el summoned the people to ADONAI in Mitzpah.

He said to the people of Isra'el, "Here is what ADONAI the God of Isra'el says: 'I brought Isra'el up from Egypt. I rescued you from the power of the Egyptians and from the power of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.'

But today you have rejected your God, who himself saves you from all your disasters and distress. You have said to him, 'No! Put a king over us!' So now, present yourselves before ADONAI by your tribes and families."

So Sh'mu'el had all the tribes come forward, and the tribe of Binyamin was chosen.

He had the tribe of Binyamin come forward by families, and the family of the Matri was chosen, and Sha'ul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he couldn't be found.

They asked ADONAI, "Has the man come here?"ADONAI answered, "There he is, hiding, in among the equipment."

They ran and brought him from there, and when he stood among the people he was head and shoulders taller than anyone around.

Sh'mu'el said to all the people, "Do you see the man ADONAI has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?"Then all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"

Sh'mu'el told the people what kinds of rulings should be made in the kingdom, then wrote it on a scroll and set it down before ADONAI. After that, he sent all the people away, everyone to his own home.

The King’s Initial Reception

Sha'ul too went home to Giv'ah, accompanied by warriors whose hearts God had touched.

True, there were some scoundrels who said, "How can this man save us?"They showed him no respect and brought him no gift, 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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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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