1 Samuel — Chapter 10

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1Then 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?

2When 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?

3Then 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:

4And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.

5After 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:

6And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

7And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.

8And 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.

9And 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.

10And 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.

11And 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?

12And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?

13And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.

14And 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.

15And Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.

16And 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.

17And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;

18And 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:

19And 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.

20And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.

21When 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.

22Therefore 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.

23And 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.

24And 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.

25Then 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.

26And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.

27But 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.

1Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not that Jehovah hath anointed thee to be prince over his inheritance?

2When 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 off caring for the asses, and is anxious for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

3Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the oak of Tabor; and there shall meet thee there three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:

4and they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread, which thou shalt receive of their hand.

5After 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 band of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a timbrel, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they will be prophesying:

6and the Spirit of Jehovah will come mightily upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

7And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion shall serve thee; for God is with thee.

8And 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 unto thee, and show thee what thou shalt do.

9And 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.

10And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came mightily upon him, and he prophesied among them.

11And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied with 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?

12And one of the same place answered and said, And who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?

13And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.

14And 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 not found, we came to Samuel.

15And Saul`s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.

16And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But concerning the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.

17And Samuel called the people together unto Jehovah to Mizpah;

18and he said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you:

19but ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saveth you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and ye have said unto him, [Nay], but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before Jehovah by your tribes, and by your thousands.

20So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.

21And he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families; and the family of the Matrites was taken; and Saul the son of Kish was taken: but when they sought him, he could not be found.

22Therefore they asked of Jehovah further, Is there yet a man to come hither? And Jehovah answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the baggage.

23And 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.

24And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom Jehovah hath chosen, that there is none like him along all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, [Long] live the king.

25Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before Jehovah. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.

26And Saul also went to his house to Gibeah; and there went with him the host, whose hearts God had touched.

27But certain worthless fellows said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

1Then Samuel took a small container of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head. Samuel kissed him and said, “The Lord has chosen you to lead his people Israel! You will rule over the Lord’s people and you will deliver them from the power of the enemies who surround them. This will be your sign that the Lord has chosen you as leader over his inheritance.

2When you leave me today, you will find two men near Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah on Benjamin’s border. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you have gone looking for have been found. Your father is no longer concerned about the donkeys but has become anxious about you two! He is asking, “What should I do about my son?”’

3“As you continue on from there, you will come to the tall tree of Tabor. At that point three men who are going up to God at Bethel will meet you. One of them will be carrying three young goats, one of them will be carrying three round loaves of bread, and one of them will be carrying a container of wine.

4They will ask you how you’re doing and will give you two loaves of bread. You will accept them.

5Afterward you will go to Gibeah of God, where there are Philistine officials. When you enter the town, you will meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place. They will have harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.

6Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person.

7“When these signs have taken place, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God will be with you.

8You will go down to Gilgal before me. I am going to join you there to offer burnt offerings and to make peace offerings. You should wait for seven days until I arrive and tell you what to do.”

9As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed his inmost person. All these signs happened on that very day.

10When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a company of prophets was coming out to meet him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul and he prophesied among them.

11When everyone who had known him previously saw him prophesying with the prophets, the people asked one another, “What on earth has happened to the son of Kish? Does even Saul belong with the prophets?”

12A man who was from there replied, “And who is their father?” Therefore this became a proverb: “Is even Saul among the prophets?”

13When Saul had finished prophesying, he went to the high place.

14Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where did you go?” Saul replied, “To look for the donkeys. But when we realized they were lost, we went to Samuel.”

15Saul’s uncle said, “Tell me what Samuel said to you.”

16Saul said to his uncle, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But Saul did not tell him what Samuel had said about the matter of kingship.

17Then Samuel called the people together before the Lord at Mizpah.

18He said to the Israelites, “This is what the Lord God of Israel has said, ‘I brought Israel up from Egypt and I delivered you from the power of the Egyptians and from the power of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.

19But today you have rejected your God who saves you from all your trouble and distress. You have said, “No! Appoint a king over us.” Now take your positions before the Lord by your tribes and by your clans.’”

20Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot.

21Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the family of Matri was chosen by lot. At last Saul son of Kish was chosen by lot. But when they looked for him, he was nowhere to be found.

22So they inquired again of the Lord, “Has the man arrived here yet?” The Lord said, “He has hidden himself among the equipment.”

23So they ran and brought him from there. When he took his position among the people, he stood head and shoulders above them all.

24Then Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one whom the Lord has chosen? Indeed, there is no one like him among all the people.” All the people shouted out, “Long live the king!”

25Then Samuel talked to the people about how the kingship would work. He wrote it all down on a scroll and set it before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away to their homes.

26Even Saul went to his home in Gibeah. With him went some brave men whose hearts God had touched.

27But some wicked men said, “How can this man save us?” They despised him and did not even bring him a gift. But Saul said nothing about it.

1Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed him, and said, “Hasn’t Yahweh anointed you to be prince over his inheritance?

2When you have departed from me today, then you will find two men by Rachel’s tomb, on the border of Benjamin at Zelzah. They will tell you, ‘The donkeys which you went to look for have been found; and behold, your father has stopped caring about the donkeys, and is anxious for you, saying, “What shall I do for my son?”’

3“Then you will go on forward from there, and you will come to the oak of Tabor. Three men will meet you there going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three young goats, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine.

4They will greet you, and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive from their hand.

5“After that you will come to the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is; and it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with a lute, a tambourine, a pipe, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying.

6Then Yahweh’s Spirit will come mightily on you, and you will prophesy with them, and will be turned into another man.

7Let it be, when these signs have come to you, that you do what is appropriate for the occasion; for God is with you.

8“Go down ahead of me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings. Wait seven days, until I come to you, and show you what you are to do.”

9It was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart; and all those signs happened that day.

10When they came there to the hill, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came mightily on him, and he prophesied among them.

11When all who knew him before saw that, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, then the people said to one another, “What is this that has come to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

12One of the same place answered, “Who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

13When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.

14Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” He said, “To seek the donkeys. When we saw that they were not found, we came to Samuel.”

15Saul’s uncle said, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you.”

16Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys were found.” But concerning the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel spoke, he didn’t tell him.

17Samuel called the people together to Yahweh to Mizpah;

18and he said to the children of Israel, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’

19But you have today rejected your God, who himself saves you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said to him, ‘No! Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before Yahweh by your tribes, and by your thousands.”

20So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen.

21He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families; and the family of the Matrites was chosen. Then Saul the son of Kish was chosen; but when they looked for him, he could not be found.

22Therefore they asked of Yahweh further, “Is there yet a man to come here?” Yahweh answered, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”

23They ran and got him there. When he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.

24Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom Yahweh has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” All the people shouted, and said, “Long live the king!”

25Then Samuel told the people the regulations of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before Yahweh. Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.

26Saul also went to his house to Gibeah; and the army went with him, whose hearts God had touched.

27But certain worthless fellows said, “How could this man save us?” They despised him, and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Samuel publicly presents Saul as king by lot at Mizpah, and the people shout "God save the king!" Saul hides among the baggage, but his imposing stature confirms him visually before the nation.

Authorship & Background

Author: Unknown, traditionally attributed to Samuel (for the early chapters), Nathan, and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29). Originally one book with 2 Samuel in the Hebrew Bible. Written approximately 1050-950 BC. The book covers the transition from the judges to the monarchy — from the birth of Samuel through the death of Saul (approximately 1105-1010 BC). Key themes: God's sovereignty in raising and removing leaders, the danger of rejecting God's rule, the contrast between Saul (man's choice) and David (God's choice), and the principle that 'man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart' (16:7).
Historical Context: Chapter 10 records both the private anointing and public selection of Saul as Israel's first king. Samuel anoints Saul with oil and gives him three confirming signs — all of which come to pass that same day. The Spirit of God comes upon Saul, he prophesies among the prophets (creating the proverb "Is Saul also among the prophets?"), and God gives him "another heart" (v.9). Then at Mizpah, Samuel assembles all Israel for the public selection by lot. The lot falls on Benjamin, then on the clan of Matri, then on Saul — but Saul has hidden himself "among the stuff" (baggage). This hiding is ambiguous: is it humility, fear, or reluctance? God reveals his location, and when Saul stands before the people, his impressive height confirms the people's expectations. They shout "God save the king!" (v.24). Samuel writes "the manner of the kingdom" in a book — the constitutional document of the monarchy. Saul goes home to Gibeah with supporters "whose hearts God had touched" (v.26), but "children of Belial" despise him (v.27). The chapter shows God graciously equipping Saul for kingship — giving him a new heart, His Spirit, confirming signs, and public validation. Saul begins with every advantage God can provide. His later failure will be entirely his own.
Samuel Anoints Saul Privately (vv.1-8): Samuel pours oil on Saul's head and kisses him — the formal act of royal anointing. Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit's empowerment; the kiss signifies acceptance and loyalty. Samuel then gives three signs to confirm the anointing: (1) At Rachel's tomb, two men will report the donkeys found and Kish's worry (v.2). (2) At the oak of Tabor, three men going to Bethel will give Saul two loaves of bread (vv.3-4) — an offering of provision and honor. (3) At "the hill of God" (Gibeah-elohim), near a Philistine garrison, Saul will meet prophets with musical instruments, the Spirit will come upon him, and he will prophesy and "be turned into another man" (vv.5-6). Samuel's instruction: "do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee" (v.7). Then the critical command: go to Gilgal and wait seven days for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices (v.8). This command will become the test Saul fails in chapter 13.
The Signs Fulfilled and the Spirit's Coming (vv.9-13): "God gave him another heart" (v.9) — a divine transformation of Saul's inner being. This is not regeneration in the New Testament sense but an equipping for royal service. All three signs come to pass. The Spirit "came upon him" (v.10) — the same empowerment given to judges (Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 14:6). Saul prophesies among the prophets, astonishing those who knew him: "What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" (v.11). The proverb expresses surprise that an ordinary man from a non-prophetic family would prophesy. The question "who is their father?" (v.12) may mean: prophetic gifting comes from God, not from family lineage — anyone God chooses can prophesy. Saul keeps the anointing secret from his uncle (vv.14-16) — he mentions the donkeys but not "the matter of the kingdom."
Public Selection at Mizpah (vv.17-24): Samuel assembles Israel at Mizpah — the same location as the revival of chapter 7. He reiterates God's indictment: "ye have this day rejected your God" (v.19). Even as God grants their request, He names their sin. The selection proceeds by lot — tribe, clan, individual. The lot falls on Saul (v.21). But "when they sought him, he could not be found" (v.21). God reveals: "he hath hid himself among the stuff" (v.22). This hiding is often read as humility, but it may also reveal the insecurity and passivity that will characterize Saul's reign. When brought out, his height impresses everyone (v.23). Samuel presents him: "See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?" (v.24). The people shout "God save the king!" — literally "let the king live!"
The Kingdom Established (vv.25-27): Samuel writes "the manner of the kingdom" (the rights and duties of kingship) and deposits it "before the LORD" — a constitutional document under divine witness. Saul goes home to Gibeah with loyal supporters "whose hearts God had touched" (v.26). But "children of Belial" (worthless men) despise him: "How shall this man save us?" (v.27). Saul "held his peace" — showing restraint. The division is immediate: some follow, some reject. This foreshadows the divided loyalties that will plague Saul's reign.

Map & Geography

  • Samuel anoints Saul privately, then confirms him publicly at Mizpah (Benjamin) by lot
  • Saul's confirmation signs trace a route through Benjamin: Rachel's tomb (Zelzah), the oak of Tabor, the hill of God (Gibeah)
  • Gibeah (of Benjamin): Saul's hometown and future capital — "the hill of God" where a Philistine garrison stands

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik notes that God gave Saul every possible advantage: a new heart, the Spirit, confirming signs, public validation, and loyal followers. Saul's later failure cannot be attributed to insufficient divine provision — God equipped him fully for the task.
  • Charles Spurgeon: "God gave Saul another heart — but Saul did not keep it. The tragedy of Saul is not that God failed to equip him but that Saul failed to maintain what God gave. A new heart is God's gift; keeping that heart tender and obedient is our responsibility. Many begin well who end poorly. The gift of God's Spirit does not guarantee perseverance — it demands faithfulness."

Reflection

  • 1. God equips those He calls (vv.1-9). Saul received anointing, signs, the Spirit, a new heart, and public validation. God does not call without equipping. Whatever God asks of us, He provides the resources to accomplish. Our responsibility is faithfulness with what He gives, not anxiety about what we lack.
  • 2. The Spirit's presence does not guarantee the Spirit's permanence (v.6). The Spirit came upon Saul — but would later depart (16:14). Divine gifting is not the same as divine approval. Gifts can be exercised without character. The presence of spiritual power does not prove the presence of spiritual maturity.
  • 3. Hiding from God's calling reveals character (v.22). Saul hid among the baggage at his own coronation. Whether from humility or fear, it reveals a man who shrinks from responsibility. Leaders must be willing to stand up and be seen. Reluctance is not always virtue — sometimes it is avoidance.
  • 4. Public enthusiasm does not equal lasting loyalty (v.24). The people shouted "God save the king!" — but many of these same people will later turn against Saul, and Saul will turn against God. Initial excitement is not commitment. The test of loyalty is not the coronation day but the difficult days that follow.
  • 5. God works even through imperfect processes (vv.17-24). Israel's demand for a king was sinful, yet God works within it — using lots, confirming His choice, establishing constitutional order. God's sovereignty is not thwarted by human sin. He incorporates even our failures into His larger purposes.