The Book of First Samuel

Chapter 10

 

[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?

 

                1) Anointing of Saul   (V1)

 

The oil of divine approval (the oil a emblem of the Spirit) the appointment is of God (an act of God)

                        Poured out upon him showing he was equipped for the job of king by God and His Spirit

                        In secret as it is not yet time for revealing Saul as king, Saul is king over God’s people

 

                        Kiss of affection (from the man of God expressing his satisfaction and support)

 


[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.

 

            2) Appointment of Signs        (V 2-8)

 

                        This would confirm to Saul that God had called and appointed him as king

                        Today 2 men at Rachel’s sepulchre saying the donkeys are found

                        Expressing his fathers concern & the grave speaks of mortality and how we must live

 

                        Then 3 men going to Bethel w/ 3 kids, 3 loaves and a bottle of wine

                        They were bringing sacrifices (meat offerings and drink offerings)

                        They will salute you and give 2 of the loaves... be content w/prov and not chase luxury

                        To accept this gift may make Saul feel like a beggar (be humble and charitable to poor)

 

                        Then at the hill of God, with Philistines,a company of prophets and Saul will prophesy with them

                        They will praise God publicly and be assisted of the Spirit to do so       

                        Saul will join them and praise God and become another man (a changed man)

                        ** Saul, the king, must be submitted and wait on the man of God ....... a MUST lesson

 

[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.

 

3) Accomplishment of Signs (V 9-16)

 

                        As he went, God gave him another heart......     The signs were punctually fulfilled

 

                        He meets up with the prophets and prophesies by the Spirit of God

                        His prophesying was publicly noticed, This would prepare the people to accept him as king

 

            Saul goes to the high place....    Maybe to give God thanks and pray for continuance

 

                        Saul’s uncle examines Saul and asks where he has been

                        Saul answers that he sought out the donkeys and came to Samuel, but conceals the kingdom

                        Many would’ve proclaimed this from the roof-top, Saul was humble (or cowardly?)

                        Saul believed, if he was to be king, that God would continue the work and assignment

 


[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.

 

 

 

 

4) Appropriating Assembly (V 17-24 )

 

Samuel calls the people together to stand before the Lord, He reproves them for their rejection of God

 

                        Samuel allows the people to cast lots .........“The disposal of the lot is of the Lord” Prov 16:33

                        God had already chosen and anointed Saul as king,

                        However the people wouldn’t depend on this single testimony

                        The lot fell upon the tribe of Benjamin, the son of Kish, a man named Saul

 

                        Saul’s name is called and he could not be found

                        He had hidden himself among the stuff (v22)...........

                        Maybe he was afraid of the envy of others, or the responsibility placed upon him

                        Maybe he understood the people had sinned in asking a king and God gave it in anger

                        The people enquired of the Lord further

                        The Lord answered and revealed Sauls location............            The people fetched him

 

                        Saul is presented to the people, Head and shoulders above the rest he stood

                        There was no one found like him and the people shouted “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.

 

5) Acceptance of Saul as king (V 25-27)

 

                        Samuel recorded these facts....(The manner of the king and the choice of the people)

 

                        Samuel sent everyone home

                        Saul went home w/ a band of men, whose hearts were touched of God (Accepting and dutiful)

                        Others went home, not pleased with the appointment of God and man (Affronting and doubting)

 

God set Himself a divine King and some (whose hearts are touched) accept, submit and rejoice in the King while others reject and are offended in him and say how shall this man save us ?

 

                        Saul held his peace (Heb. acted as deaf) when rejected by those, showing his mercy

                        God’s King has held his peace as rejected but there is a day of recompense coming