Bible Commentaries

1 Samuel 10:1-2. 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? When thou art departed from me to day, —

He gave Saul some signs by which he could confirm the truth of all that he had spoken to him: “When thou art departed from me today,” —

1 Samuel 10:2. Then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulcher in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah;

It was well for Samuel to send Saul, with brilliant prospects opening before him, to the sepulcher of the mother of his tribe. Oh, that we were all wise enough to think often of our last hours! Communion with the grave might even help us to communion with heaven. Samuel said to Saul, “Thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulcher,” —

1 Samuel 10:2-3. 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? 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:

Going to offer to God a meat offering and a thank offering. How could Samuel have known all this if God had not anointed his eyes, and made him a seer who could see what others saw not?

1 Samuel 10:4. And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hand.

“Thou shalt take from them thy first tribute as a king. They shall give thee two loaves of bread, to teach thee to avoid all luxury, and not to be a king who delighteth in delicate and dainty fare. Thou shalt fare as the people do.”

1 Samuel 10:5-6. 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: and the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them,

“Thou shalt speak with enthusiasm about God; moved with a holy passion, thou shalt speak like a man inspired.”

1 Samuel 10:6. And shalt be turned into another man.

Note that Samuel did not say to Saul, “Thou shalt be turned into a new man,” for that is what he never was. He become, for awhile, another man, a different man from what he had been before, but he never became a gracious man.

1 Samuel 10:7-8. And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. 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.

This exposition consisted of readings from 1 Samuel 9, and 1 Samuel 10:1-8.