1 Samuel 10

1 Samuel 10:1

II. SAUL’S REIGN UNTIL HIS REJECTION (Chaps. 1015) A. Anointing and Confirmation (Chaps. 10, 11)10:1-6 Privately Samuel anointed Saul as ruler of Israel by pouring oil . . . on his head. The priesthood had been inaugurated with anointing (Lev_8:12), and now the first king was anointed in the same manner. A public ceremony would follow later. Three signs were then given to confirm the word of the Lord to Saul: (1) Two men would meet him at Rachel’s tomb and tell him that his father’s donkeys had been found; (2) three men would meet him at the oak of Tabor, en route to Bethel, and would give him two loaves of bread; (3) when he would come to “the hill of God” and would meet a group of prophets, . . . the Spirit of the LORD would come upon him and he would prophesy. 10:7-9 After all these signs occurred, Saul was to go to Gilgal and wait seven days for Samuel to come and to offer sacrifices. All the signs in verses 2-6 took place that same day; the events in Gilgal occurred later (1Sa_13:7-15). It should not be concluded from verse 9 that Saul was genuinely converted. Actually, he was a man after the flesh, as his later history so evidently demonstrates. He was equipped for his official position as ruler of God’s people by the Spirit even though he did not know God in a personal, saving way. In other words, he was God’s man officially even though we believe he was not a true believer. 10:10-16 The prophets were dedicated and zealous men, and it surprised the people to see Saul prophesying . . . among them. This gave rise to the proverb: “Is Saul also among the prophets?” It became a common saying expressing surprise that Saul should engage in an activity that was so out-of-character for him. Saul’s uncle (not his father, as we would expect) quizzed him about his discussion with Samuel. Saul mentioned his visit with Samuel but did not disclose that he had been privately anointed as king. 10:17-19 Meanwhile, Samuel assembled the people . . . at Mizpah to announce the appointment of a king. Before making the actual announcement, he once again reminded them that their demand for a king was a rejection of the God who brought them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. When Saul was selected he was hiding either because of modesty or fear. Matthew Henry gives four reasons why Saul might have been afraid: (1) Because he was conscious to himself of unfitness for so great a trust. . . . (2) Because it would expose him to the envy of his neighbors that were ill-affected towards him. (3) Because he understood, by what Samuel had said, that the people sinned in asking a king, and it was in anger that God granted their request. (4) Because the affairs of Israel were at this time in a bad posture; the Philistines were strong, the Ammonites threatening: and he must be bold indeed that will set sail in a storm. 10:20-27 Saul was brought forth and presented to the people as their king. A better physical specimen could scarcely be found in all Israel. Several valiant men attached themselves to Saul and accompanied him to his home in Gibeah, but not everyone was solidly behind the new monarch. Saul wisely held his peace in front of these rebels who despised him.