1 Samuel 10

Samuel anointeth Saul king over Israel, verse 1, &c. And he fore-telleth him, what should betide him in the way, 2. Saul prophesieth among the Prophets, 10. He cometh to his Uncle, 14. Whom he telleth what Samuel had said concerning the she-asses, but concealeth the matter to the Kingdom, 16. Samuel assembleth the people at Mizpa, 17. There he sets their ingratitude before their eyes, 18. Saul by lot is chosen King over Israel, but he hideth himself, 21. His stature, 23. Saul is presented before all the people, who receive him with shouting, 24. Samuel writeth right of a king in a book, 25. All this being accomplished, Saul goeth to his own house at Gibea, 26. Some vilisie and despise Saul, which he mindeth not, 27.

1. Then Samuel took a vial [Or, bottle, vessel] of oil [Below chap.16.13. where is spoken of Davids anointing, there is mentioned a horn of oil. Saul, and Jehu, (2 Kings 9:1,3.) were anointed out of a vail of oil, but David out of an horn] and poured it out upon his head, [in the Old Testament three sorts of persons were instilled into their offices by anointing, high Priests, Kings, and Prophets] and kissed him: [in token of subjection, thereby acknowledging him to be his Lord, for asmuch as God had called him to the Kingly office. See the like example, I Kings 19.18. and compare Psal.2.12.] and said, Is it not (so) that the LORD hath anointed thee to be a Leader over his own inheritance? [i.e. over his people of Israel, whom the Lord hath chosen out of all nations for his own inheritance.]

2. When thou departest from me to day, then thou shalt finde two men by Rachels sepulchre, [This sepulchre was near unto Bethlehem Juda, as appeareth, Gen.35 19,20. Benjamin] on the border of Benjamin at Zelzah: [This is the name of a place, no where else found but here, and signifieth as much as a fair shadow] they will say unto thee, The she-asses are found, which thou wentest to seek, and nehold, thy father hath left the matters of the she-asses, and he is solicitous for you saying, What shall I do for my son?

3. When thou goest on forward from thence, and shalt come unto Elon-Thabor, [Oth. the plan field of Thabor, or, at the Oak of Thabor; there be divers places called Thabor] there three men shall finde thee, going up to God to Bethel; [Some translate it, unto the house of God, to wit, at Kiriath-Jeriam, as above chap.7.1,2,16. where the Ark was at that time] one carrying three Kids and one carrying three loaves of bread, and one carrying a bottle of wine.

4. And they will ask thee of (thy) welfare; [See Gen.43.27.] and they shall give thee two (loaves) of bread, them thou shalt receive of their hand.

5. After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, [This was an high place near the City of Gibea, where there was a school of young Prophets. In the City itself, the Philistines had their garrison, as immediately followeth. Oth. to Gibea of God] where are the forces of the Philistines: [i.e. Garrison,keeping watch, as below chap.13.3.] and it shall come to passé, when thou comest there into the City, that thou shalt meet an heap, [Heb. a cord, or, string; that is, a company of men, that march in rank and order, and as it were draw one line, or, cord: and so vers.10.] of Prophets coming down from the high place, and before their faces Lutes, and Tabrets, and Pipes, and Harps, [With these Musical instruments they revived themselves, and aroused up their Spirit to Prophesie. See the like example, 2 Kings 3:15.] In the Hebrew these words are put in the singular number] and they shall Prophesie. [i.e. Speak and sing of heavenly, Divine, holy edifying things.]

6. And the Spirit of the LORD shall be ready upon thee, and thou shalt Prophesie with them, [i.e. thou shalt for some space of time have the gift of Prophesie. See num 11.25.] and thou shalt be changed into another man, [i.e. thou shall get a bold, courageous, wise, and understanding heart, fit for government and for managing war-like affairs, as it becometh a King to have.

7. And it shall come to passé, when these signs shall come unto thee, do thou what time hand shall finde, [i.e. what-ever the necessity and occasion require to be done for the good of the Land, do it as a wise and courageous King. This did Saul do, when he went forth to fight against the ammonites; chap.11. and against the Philistines chap.13. Concerning the phrase, see Judg.9. on vers.33.] for God will be with thee.

8. Now thou shalt go down before my face to Gilgal, [Yet understand first to Mizpa, as appeareth vers.17. and chap.11.14. Saul was by lot chosen King at Mizpa, but installed at Gilgal] and behold, I will come down to thee, to offer burnt-offerings, to offer sacrifice of thanksgiving: [See below chap.13.8.] seven dayes shall thou tarry (there) till I come unto thee, and tell thee what thou shalt do.

9. Now it came to passé, when he turned his shoulder; [i.e. back] to go from Samuel; (that) God changed his heart (into) another: and all those tokens came (to passé) the same day.

10. When they [viz. Saul and his servant] came thither to the hill, there (came) an heap of Prophets [Understand here by by the word Prop ets, the Disciples,or, Scholars of the Prophets, that exercised themselves in, and studied the Hebr: Scripture] to meet him: and the Spirit of the LORD waxed ready upon him; and he Prophesied in the midst of them.

11. And it came to passé, when every one that had known him before of old time, [Heb. from yesterday, ere yesterday] saw, that he, behold, prophesied with the Prophets, that the people said, every one to his fellow, [i.e. the one to the other] what is this, that hath hapned to the Son of Kis? Is Saul also among the Prophets?

12. Then answered a man of that place, [Perhaps one out of the number of those Prophets] and said, but who is their father? [As if he hd said, even the same God and Father, who hathh given to the rest the Spirit of Prophesie, he is also able to give the same unto Saul. Some do here take the word Father, for Teacher: as the Disciples, or, Scholars of the Prophets, are called sons of the Prophets. Some take it thus: who is their Father? i.e. the others have as mean fathers as Saul, bu this is a special work of God] therefore it’s become a Proverb, Is Saul also among the Prophets? [This Proverb is commonly used, when we speak of any one, that doeth act some great or special matter unawares, and unexpectedly.]

13. Now which he had made an end of Prophecying, he came unto the high place, [viz. into the School or Synagogue, which was upon the Hill of God, vers.6.]

14. And Sauls Uncle said unto him, and unto his servant, Whither went ye? now he said, To seek the she-asses: when we saw that they were not there, then we came to Samuel.

15. Then said Sauls Uncle; Tell me I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you?

16. Now Saul said unto his Uncle, he told us certainly; [Heb. telling told] that the she-asses were found: but the matter of the Kingdom, whereof Samuel had said, he told him not. [It seemeth that Samuel had forbidden him to do it: And that it might be kept the more close, Samuel had spoken to Saul. To bid his servant remove, or, go out of the way; when they two communed together, chap.9.27.]

17. But Samuel called the people together unto the LORD at Mizpa. [viz. To appear, as before the LORD, in the assembly of Gods people, to the chusing and installing of a King: Or, according to the opinion of some, before the Ark of the Covenant, from whence the Lord gave answer. For this cause might the Ark be brought thither, but hereafter at Gilgal, as may be gathered below, chap.11.15.]

18. And he said unto the Children of Israel, Thus hath the LORD the God of Israel spoken, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all Kingdoms, but oppressed you.

19. But ye have this day rejected your God, who hath delivered you out of all your miseries, [Heb. evils] and your necessities, and have said unto him, [i.e. unto me, who am his Prophet; See above chap.8.19. and below chap.12.12.] Set a King over us: now then present your selves before the face of the LORD, according to your tribes, and according to your thousands. [The tribes of the Israelites were divided into certain companies, each company consisting of a thousand men, as mich.5.2. and else where appeareth.]

20. Now when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come neer, [viz. to cast the lot. See the like example, Jos.7.14. Before they cast the lot, they prayed unto the Lord, vers.22. Act.1.24.] the tribe of Benjamin was touched. [viz. with the lot. Heb. hit, caught, taken: i.e. the lot fell upon the tribe of Benjamin, whereby the Lord would signifie, that it was one among the families of the tribes, whom he would appoint to be King.]

21. When he made the tribe of Benjamin to come on according to their families, the family of Matri was troubled: and Saul the son of Kis was touched, and they sought him, but he was not found.

22. Then they further enquired of the LORD, whether that man would ye come thither? then the LORD said, Behold, he hath hid himself among the vessels. [i.e. among the stuff, or, baggage of the people.]

23. Now they ran, and took him from thence, and he set himself in the midst of the people: and he was taller then all the people, from his shoulder and upward.

24. Then said Samuel unto all the people: Do ye see, whom the LORD hath chosen? for there is none like him among all the people: then all the people [i.e. the greatest part of the people: for there were some that despised him, as appeareth vers.27.] shouted, and said, Let the King live. [See I Kings 1. On v.25.]

25. Now Samuel told the people the right of the Kingdom, [Understand this, not of the way, manner,or custome of acting, which Kings sometimes take up contrary to Law, (as the Hebrew word is taken above chap.8. verse.9,11.) but of the Laws which Samuel by Gods instinct mae or enacted, concerning the Government of Kings; see Deut.17.18. or of the Ordinances, for to instruct as well the King as the subjects, how thy ought to carry, and demean themselves toward each other] and wrote it in a book, [this Book is not extant] and laid it before the face of the LORD: [i.e. before the LORD who manifested his presence above the Ark.] Then Samuel let all the people go, every man to his house.

26. And Saul went also to his (own) house at Gibea, and of the army went with him, whose heart God had touched.

27. But the Children of Belial [See Deut.13.13.] said, What should this (man) deliver us? and they despised him, and brought him no present; [As subjects were wont to do to their Prince, in token of homage and fealty, and that they acknowledge him to be their King; see 2 Chron.17.5. and Matth.2.11.] but he was as deaf. [Or, as dumb, as silent.]