Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 10

Verse 1

10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of {a} 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?

(a) In the Law this anointing signified the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which were necessary for those who would rule.

Verse 2

10:2 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 {b} 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?

(b) Samuel confirms him by these signs, that God has appointed him king.

Verse 5

10:5 After that thou shalt come to the {c} 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:

(c) Which was a high place in the city Kirjath-jearim, where the ark was, 1 Samuel 7:2.

Verse 9

10:9 And it was [so], that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another {d} heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.

(d) He gave him such virtues as were fitting for a king.

Verse 12

10:12 And one of the same place answered and said, But who [is] their {e} father? Therefore it became a proverb, [Is] Saul also among the {f} prophets?

(e) Meaning, that prophecy comes not by succession, but is given to whom it pleases God.

(f) Noting by it him that from low degree comes suddenly to honour.

Verse 17

10:17 And Samuel {g} called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;

(g) Both to declare to them their fault in asking a king, and also to show God’s sentence in it.

Verse 20

10:20 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was {h} taken.

(h) That is, by casting of lot.

Verse 22

10:22 Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he {i} hath hid himself among the stuff.

(i) As though he were unworthy and unwilling.

Verse 25

10:25 Then Samuel told the people {k} 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.

(k) As it is written in De 17:15.

Verse 27

10:27 But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he {l} held his peace.

(l) Both to avoid disputing and also to win them by patience.