1 Samuel 10:1 - Meaning and Application

Samuel is now acting as a prophet and giving Saul full assurance from God that he will be king, as later events showed. He anointed Saul and kissed him (1 Samuel 10:1). This was not done in a public meeting, but by God’s command, and that gave it full weight even though the setting was plain and private. God’s appointed acts are still great and honorable, even when the outward setting is simple.

By anointing Saul, Samuel showed him that this was God’s own act of making him king: “Has not the Lord anointed you?” In the Old Testament, the high priest was anointed to show that God gave him the gifts needed for his work. The same meaning was present in anointing kings, because God calls people and also fits them for the task he gives them. These sacred anointings pointed ahead to the great Messiah, the Anointed One, Jesus Christ, King of the church and High Priest of our faith, who was anointed with the Holy Spirit without limit, far above the priests and rulers of Israel.

Samuel likely used ordinary oil, and the text does not mention any blessing or prayer over it. He used a small vial of oil, and that fit Saul’s kingdom, which would soon be damaged and broken. The small amount also pointed to the smaller measure of the Spirit given to Saul compared with David, who was later anointed with a horn of oil, as were Solomon and Jehu with a box of oil.

By kissing Saul, Samuel showed his approval of the choice. He was not only agreeing with it, but also gladly accepting it, even though it reduced Samuel’s own power and the honor of his family. The kiss also showed respect and loyalty. Samuel was, in effect, saying that Saul was now his king. In the same way, we are told to “kiss the Son” (Psalm 2:12), meaning that we must honor and submit to the one God has appointed.

Samuel then explained the meaning of the ceremony. First, Saul had been appointed to be a captain, a ruler in war, which meant honor and authority, but also care, hard work, and danger. Second, the source of his rule was the Lord himself. Since the Lord had anointed him, Saul must rule for God, depend on God, and aim at God’s glory. Third, the purpose of his rule was over God’s inheritance. He was to care for God’s people, protect them, and order their affairs wisely, like a steward placed over a great house.

For Saul’s further assurance, Samuel gave him signs that would happen right away that very day. These signs would prove that Samuel spoke truly in general, and that this message about Saul’s kingship was true in particular. First, Saul would meet men who would bring news from home, telling him that his father’s house was worried about him (1 Samuel 10:2). They would meet him near Rachel’s tomb. Samuel first sent him to a burial place, the tomb of one of his ancestors, so Saul would remember his own death while he was thinking about a crown. Two men would tell him the asses had been found and that his father was anxious, saying, “What shall I do for my son?” Saul would see that meeting them was no accident, and it is good to notice God’s care in even small events so we can trust him in greater ones.

Next, Saul would meet people going to Bethel, where there was apparently a high place for worship, and they were bringing sacrifices there (1 Samuel 10:3, 1 Samuel 10:4). It was a good sign for the one who would govern Israel to meet worshipers wherever he went. The kids, loaves, and wine likely belonged to the sacrifice and the offerings that went with it. Samuel told Saul that they would give him two loaves, and he must accept them. To us, that might seem like a small gift, almost like help given to a beggar. But Saul would need to remember a time when he received such a gift, so that he would stay humble and kind to the poor. It may also have been a proper gift for a prince, and Saul was to receive it as such. Since the people giving it did not know what they were doing, God was the one moving their hearts, which made the sign even clearer. These two loaves, the first tribute to the new king, could also remind Saul not to waste his royal wealth on luxury, but to be content with simple food. Bread is the staff of life.

The most striking sign would be his joining a group of prophets and coming under the influence of the Spirit of prophecy (1 Samuel 10:5, 1 Samuel 10:6). What God works in us by his Spirit is far more helpful to faith than anything he does for us by providence. Samuel told Saul where this would happen, at the hill of God, where there was a Philistine garrison, likely near Gibeah, Saul’s own city. A place was called the hill of God because one of the schools of the prophets was there. Even the Philistines seemed to show some respect for religion, since their soldiers allowed God’s prophets to live there in peace and did not disturb their worship.

Saul would meet a company of prophets coming with music, prophesying, and he would join them.

These prophets were not, so it seems, inspired to tell future events. God did not reveal himself to them by dreams and visions. Instead, they studied the law, taught their neighbors, and devoted themselves to acts of worship, especially praising God. The Spirit of God gave them special help and greater strength in these holy duties.

It was a great blessing for Israel that they had not only prophets, but groups of prophets. These men gave good instruction, set good examples, and helped keep true religion alive among the people. At this time, “the word of the Lord was not precious,” meaning it was no longer rare, as it had been when Samuel first appeared. Samuel had likely helped establish these schools, or religious houses, from which the synagogues probably later grew. It is sad that Israel grew tired of the rule of such a man. As a man of war, he had not driven out the Philistines, but as a man of God, he had done something greater for Israel, he had established the schools of the prophets.

Music was then used as a fitting way to prepare the mind for the work of the Holy Spirit, as it did for Elisha (2 Kings 3:15). We should not expect the same effect from music now, unless we saw it working as powerfully as it did in Saul’s case, when it drove away an evil spirit. These prophets had been at the high place, likely offering sacrifice, and now they were returning while singing psalms. We should come away from holy worship with our hearts filled with holy joy and praise (Psalm 138:5).

Saul would find himself strongly moved to join them, and through this he would become another man from the way he had been in private life. The Spirit of God, working through his ordinances, changes people and wonderfully transforms them. Saul, by praising God among the fellowship of the saints, became another man, though whether he became a truly new man is doubtful.

Samuel then tells Saul to go forward in his rule as Providence leads him and as Samuel advises him. In ordinary matters, he must follow the path that events open before him (1 Samuel 10:7). He should use his own good judgment and take the steps that seem fit. But in a special crisis that would later come at Gilgal, a very important moment when he would need God’s help most, he must wait for Samuel to come to him and stay seven days for him (1 Samuel 10:8).

Saul’s failure in this matter later became the cause of his fall (1 Samuel 13:11). For now, this was a clear sign that he was still under testing. Even though he was a king, he was to act under Samuel’s guidance and do what he ordered. The greatest of men must acknowledge that they are subject to God and to his word.