1 Sam. 10 Samuel anointeth Saul, 1 Sam. 10:1; confirms him by prediction of three signs, 1 Sam. 10:2–8. Saul prophesies, 1 Sam. 10:9–13. He cometh to his uncle; telleth him what Samuel had said concerning the asses, but concealeth the matter of the kingdom, 1 Sam. 10:14–16.

This was the usual rite in the designation, as of priests and prophets, so also of kings, as 1 Sam. 16:1, 1 Sam. 16:13, 1 Kings 1:39, 2 Kings 9:1, 2 Kings 9:3, 2 Kings 9:6; whereby was signified the pouring forth of the gifts of God’s Spirit upon him, to enable him for the administration of his…

In the borders of Benjamin; in the way to Bethlehem, Gen. 35:19, which city was in Judah; and her sepulchre might be either in Judah or in Benjamin; for the possessions of those two tribes were bordering upon one another, and oft intermixed together: see Josh. 18:11.

To the plain of Tabor; not that at the foot of Mount Tabor, which was far from these parts; but another belonging to some other place, or man, called Tabor. Beth-el; properly so called, which was in Ephraim, where there was a noted high place, famous for Jacob’s vision there, Gen.

Two loaves of bread; two of those three designed for sacrifice, supposing they could easily procure a supply of other loaves at Beth-el. But the more strange the present was, the more fit it was for a sign of God’s extraordinary providence in Saul’s affairs.

To the hill of God; a hill near Geba, or Gibeah of Benjamin, where a garrison of Philistines was, 1 Sam. 13:3, called here the hill of God, because it was a place devoted to the service of God; either for sacrifice, this being a high place, as it here follows; or for a school or college of…

Will come upon thee, Heb. will leap or rush on thee, to wit, for a season. So it may be opposed to the Spirit’s resting upon a man, as Num. 11:25, Isa. 11:2. Shalt be turned into another man, i.e.

These signs were certain evidences of God’s calling of him to the kingdom, because they were all future contingencies, which none but God could infallibly know or foretell. Do as occasion shall serve thee, Heb. do what thy hand findeth to do, i.e. as thou shalt have a call and opportunity.

Seven days shalt thou tarry till I come to thee: this, though now mentioned and commanded, yet was not immediately to be performed; as is evident, partly from the whole course of the story, which shows that Saul, and Samuel, and the people first met at Mizpeh, 1 Sam.

Then the accomplishment of the two former signs is supposed, and this only of the third is expressed, because this was more eminent and public than the former: the other were only transient acts, which passed in private between two or three persons meeting together, and passing by one another; but…

What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? what means this strange and prodigious event? Saul; a man never instructed nor exercised in nor inclined to these matters; a man ever thought fitter to look to his father’s asses, than to bear a part in the sacred exercises of the prophets.

One of the same place, Heb. one from thence, i.e. one of the company there present, or one of the prophets there prophesying. Who is their father? who is the father of all these prophets of whom you speak, and among whom Saul now is one? who is it that instructs and inspires them with this holy…

Returning thither with the prophets, there to praise God for these wonderful favours, and to beg counsel and help from God in this high business.

Saul’s uncle, being there present, and observing this great alteration in his nephew.

Partly, in obedience to Samuel, who obliged him to secrecy; partly, from a humble modesty which appeared in him, 1 Sam. 10:22; and partly, in prudence, lest by an unseasonable publishing of it he should raise envy in some, disbelief and contempt in others, &c.

Unto the Lord; to appear before the Lord. So he speaks, either, 1. Because the ark was carried thither upon this occasion. Or, 2. Because God is present in all the assemblies of his people, whereof this was an eminent one: see 2 Chron. 19:6, Ps. 82:1. Or, 3.

Of all kingdoms, to wit, the neighbouring kingdoms, which molested you from time to time.

Ye have this day rejected your God; you this day declare that you persist in your former act of rejecting God’s government: See Poole “1 Sam. 8:7”. Who himself saved you; who by his own special providence took care to raise up judges and saviours for you, and to deliver you at all times, when you…

To come near unto the place appointed for the casting of lots. This tribe was now preferred before Judah, because the kingdom was freely promised by God to Judah, and was to be given to him in love; but now the kingdom was in a manner forced from God, and given to them in anger, Hos.

They inquired of the Lord; either by Urim or Thummim, which was the usual way of inquiry, Num. 27:21, 1 Sam. 23:9, 1 Sam. 28:6; or by Samuel, who by his prayer procured an answer. Among the stuff; among the carriages or baggage of the people there assembled.

There is none like him among all the people; as to the height of his bodily stature, which was in itself commendable in a king, and some kind of indication of great endowments of mind. God save the king, Heb.

The manner of the kingdom; not the manner of the king, of which he had spoken before, 1 Sam. 8:11;c., but of the kingdom: to wit, the laws and rules by which the kingly government was to be managed, agreeable to those mentioned Deut.

To Gibeah: not being actually inaugurated into his kingdom, he thought fit to retire to his former habitation, and to live privately till he had an occasion to show himself in a more public and illustrious manner, which he speedily obtained.

This man; so mean a person, and of the weakest of all the tribes. Brought him no presents; as subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings; see 1 Kings 10:25, 2 Chron. 17:5, Matt. 2:11; and as Saul’s mean condition, herewith they upbraided him, required.