1 Samuel Chapter 10

At a Glance

  • In 1 Samuel 10, a pivotal moment unfolds when Samuel anoints Saul and then orchestrates a sequence of divine signs to confirm Saul’s public calling as Israel’s king.
  • The narrative emphasizes divine initiative, obedience, and the shaping of Saul’s character.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Written in the early monarchic period of Israel, 1 Samuel functions as a bridge between the prophetic leadership of Samuel and the institutional kingship under Saul.
  • - Divine election and empowerment: Saul is chosen and prepared by God through the Spirit, not merely elected by people.

Chapter Overview

In 1 Samuel 10, a pivotal moment unfolds when Samuel anoints Saul and then orchestrates a sequence of divine signs to confirm Saul’s public calling as Israel’s king. The chapter opens with Samuel pouring oil on Saul’s head, a ceremonial commissioning that recognizes Saul as “captain over his inheritance.” This personal blessing is immediately matched by a pragmatic, itinerary-style confirmation: a series of miraculous signs will precede Saul’s visible leadership. Two messengers by Rachel’s tomb announce that Saul’s father fears for him; then three men on the road toward Bethel provide bread and assurance; at the hill of God near the Philistine outpost, a procession of prophets will encounter Saul, and the Spirit of the Lord will come upon him so that he—like the others—will prophesy, be transformed, and be “turned into another man.” Samuel lays out a concrete sequence: go to Gilgal, wait seven days for Samuel’s return, and then launch the next steps of this new leadership. The dramatic moment arrives when Saul, initially reluctant, begins to prophesy with the prophets after the Spirit of God comes upon him. The signs come to pass precisely as foretold, demonstrating that Saul’s rise is God’s initiative, not merely popular acclaim.

The narrative emphasizes divine initiative, obedience, and the shaping of Saul’s character. The chapter closes with Saul’s departure to Gilgal and Samuel’s reaffirmation that God is with him, signaling the origin of a tested leadership path. The overarching arc is not about social popularity but about God’s choosing and equipping a reluctant king who will be tested under pressure. The signs serve as a public, covenantal confirmation that Saul’s authority is sanctioned by God, and they set the stage for the unfolding drama of Saul’s rule, including the challenges of Philistine pressure and internal dissent.

Historical & Literary Context

Written in the early monarchic period of Israel, 1 Samuel functions as a bridge between the prophetic leadership of Samuel and the institutional kingship under Saul. The book’s genre blends historical narrative with theological reflection: it records events while shaping Israel’s self-understanding about covenant faithfulness, divine sovereignty, and human leadership. Chapter 10 sits squarely at the moment of transition from Samuel’s era of judges to Saul’s kingship, illustrating how God orchestrates a king’s ascent through signs and prophetic validation. The “anointing” language and the accompanying signs—described in a brisk, almost documentary style—emphasize that sovereignty lies with the Lord, not with popular sentiment. The episode also foregrounds the motif of transformation: Saul’s “turned into another man” signals a fundamental change in personhood under the Spirit, a theme that recurs in royal narratives. By embedding familiar elements—anointing, movement through familiar geographic landmarks, prophetic ecstasy—the author situates Saul’s coronation within Israel’s broader sacred geography and liturgical memory.

Key Themes

- Divine election and empowerment: Saul is chosen and prepared by God through the Spirit, not merely elected by people.

- Faithful obedience under signs: The sequence of signs tests Saul’s trust and reinforces the idea that God guides leadership through concrete, tangible confirmations.

- Transformation by the Spirit: The phrase “turned into another man” underscores the transformative impact of the Spirit on leadership and identity.

- Public legitimacy vs. private calling: The signs serve a public, covenantal legitimacy that anticipates future political and military challenges.

- Humility and responsibility: The emphasis onSamuel’s role and the warning to “do as occasion serve thee” invites Saul to steward his calling with fidelity.

Modern Application

This chapter speaks to contemporary life in at least three ways. First, it highlights that leadership is ultimately God’s initiative. In today’s world of political campaigns and media-driven celebrity, the biblical reminder that God calls and equips leaders through Spirit-work and communal discernment invites humility and trust. Second, the chapter encourages patience and obedience as key prerequisites for leadership. Saul’s journey unfolds with signs and waiting periods; successors today are reminded that preparation and alignment with God’s timing matter as much as visible success. Third, the transformative power of the Spirit invites reflection on personal change. When God calls someone, character matters as much as competence. The chapter invites believers to examine how the Spirit is shaping their identity and leadership in family, church, or workplace. Finally, Samuel’s corrective faithfulness—speaking truth about God’s presence and guidance—models discernment in leadership transitions: do not equate popularity with divine endorsement, but seek confirmation in God’s ongoing activity.

- 1 Samuel 9–11 (the earlier anointing and the emergency gathering of the people)

- 1 Samuel 16 (anointing of David as king; contrast of divine selection)

- Deuteronomy 18:15-22 (proto-royal prophetic authority and authenticating signs)

- 1 Kings 19:19-21 (prophetic empowerment and commissioning)

- Hebrews 11:32-34 (faith, transformation, leadership under God)

Recommended Personas (Which Biblical personas would provide unique insight)

- Samuel (prophetic perspective on leadership, discernment, and the role of covenant faithfulness)

- Saul (to understand the burdens and temptations of early kingship)

- David (to contrast true and flawed leadership that follows God’s heart)

- Jesus (as ultimate fulfillment of Spirit-filled leadership and obedience)

- Moses (to reflect on transformation and divine commissioning in leadership journeys)

Chapter Text

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 enquired 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.

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