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.
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.
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 inquired 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.
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.
Summary of 1 Samuel Chapter 10
1 Samuel Chapter 10 marks a significant turning point in the history of Israel as it details the anointing of Saul as the first king. This chapter illustrates the transition from a theocratic system of governance, where God directly ruled through judges, to a monarchy that would lead Israel into a new era.
Anointing of Saul
The chapter begins with the prophet Samuel anointing Saul, a young man from the tribe of Benjamin, as the chosen king of Israel. This act is significant as it symbolizes God’s selection of Saul for leadership.
- Oil as a Symbol: The use of oil during the anointing signifies the empowerment of Saul by the Holy Spirit for his forthcoming role.
- Public Recognition: Samuel instructs Saul to keep the anointing a secret until the appropriate time, emphasizing the sacredness of the moment.
Signs of Confirmation
Following the anointing, Samuel provides Saul with a series of signs that will confirm his kingship. These signs serve to reassure both Saul and the people of Israel regarding his divine appointment.
- Meeting Two Men: Saul will encounter two men near Rachel’s tomb who will inform him that the donkeys he was searching for have been found.
- Meeting Three Men: He will then meet three men going up to worship at Bethel, who will give him two loaves of bread.
- Prophetic Encounter: Finally, Saul will meet a group of prophets, and the Spirit of the Lord will come upon him, leading him to prophesy.
Transformation of Saul
As Saul experiences these signs, he undergoes a transformation. The Spirit of God empowers him, marking a pivotal change in his character and abilities.
- Change in Heart: The transformation signifies that Saul is not just a political leader but also a spiritual one, chosen by God.
- Public Prophecy: His prophesying among the prophets raises questions among the people, leading to the saying, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
Saul’s Acceptance as King
After the signs and his transformation, Saul returns home, and the chapter concludes with his acceptance as king. Samuel calls the people together at Mizpah to formally present Saul.
- Selection by Lot: Samuel uses the casting of lots to reveal the tribe and family of the future king, which confirms Saul’s selection.
- Saul’s Humility: When Saul is presented, he is found hiding among the baggage, illustrating his humility and reluctance to take on the role of king.
Reactions to Saul’s Kingship
The chapter concludes with mixed reactions from the people. While some celebrate Saul’s appointment, others doubt his capability and express disdain.
- Supporters: Those who support Saul rejoice and acknowledge him as their king.
- Critics: Some individuals question his ability to lead, highlighting the divided sentiments among the Israelites.
Theological Implications
This chapter emphasizes several theological themes:
- Divine Sovereignty: It illustrates God’s control over Israel’s leadership and His choice of Saul, despite human imperfections.
- Human Leadership: The transition to monarchy reflects the people’s desire for human leadership, which can lead to both blessings and challenges.
- Transformation: The empowerment of Saul by the Spirit signifies that true leadership requires divine support and transformation.
Conclusion
1 Samuel Chapter 10 serves as a foundational text for understanding the establishment of monarchy in Israel. It highlights the complexities of leadership, the role of divine selection, and the mixed responses of the people to Saul’s kingship. The chapter sets the stage for the challenges and triumphs that will follow in Saul’s reign.
