UNROLL
First light on a stony path leading down from a hill town toward the far ridges of Benjamin; in the foreground on a flat stone a small stoppered clay flask of olive oil, one gold drop on its lip.

The Book of

1 Samuel 10

At dawn, at the edge of town, an old prophet pours oil on a young man’s head. Then three signs, and a new heart.

27 verses≈ 6 min3 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

Tap any post to go deeper

In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–7SamuelA boy who listened
  2. 8–15SaulA king like the nationsChapter 10
  3. 16–20David risesThe LORD looks at the heart
  4. 21–27David huntedThe anointed one waits
  5. 28–31Saul fallsEndor and Gilboa

Samuel Anoints Saul

At gray dawn at the top of the path out of town, tall Saul kneels on the stones while old Samuel pours olive oil from a small clay flask onto his head; the servant far down the road.

Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Samuel

Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.

1 Samuel 10:6

When these signs have come, do as the occasion demands, for God is with you.

And you shall go before me to Gilgal, and surely I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do.”

Question

Quick question

Samuel gave Saul freedom to act, and one fixed command.

Where did Samuel tell Saul to wait seven days for him?

Samuel’s Signs Fulfilled

As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all the signs came to pass that day.

On the open hillside below Gibeah at evening, tall Saul among the band of prophets with harp, lyre, tambourine and flute, head thrown back and hands raised, a head above them all, while astonished villagers watch from a terrace wall.

When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them.

0:08

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Those who knew Saul

When all those who had formerly known Saul saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

A man of Gibeah

Then a man who lived there replied, “And who is their father?”

So the saying became a proverb: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

Is Saul also among the prophets?

1 Samuel 10:12

And when Saul had finished prophesying, he went up to the high place.

Saul’s uncle

Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where did you go?”

Saul

“To look for the donkeys,” Saul replied. “When we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”

Saul’s uncle

“Tell me,” Saul’s uncle asked, “what did Samuel say to you?”

Saul

And Saul replied, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.”

But Saul did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.

Reflect

A different person

Samuel told Saul he would “be transformed into a different person,” and then “God changed Saul’s heart.” God equipped him for the task He was giving him. What task is God giving you right now? Write it down, and write what you would ask Him to change in you for it.

Saul Proclaimed King

After this, Samuel summoned the people to the LORD at Mizpah and said to the Israelites, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hands of the Egyptians and of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’

But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”

Thus Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected. Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected.

But when they looked for him, they could not find him.

The Israelites

So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?”

God

And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”

So they ran and brought Saul, and when he stood among the people, he was a head taller than any of the others.

Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

1 Samuel 10:24

Then Samuel explained to the people the rights of kingship. He wrote them on a scroll and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, each to his own home.

Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, and the men of valor whose hearts God had touched went with him.

But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.

Pray

Hearts God has touched

The LORD chose Saul, changed his heart, and sent with him “the men of valor whose hearts God had touched.” Thank Him that He chooses and changes people. Ask Him for a heart He has touched, and for grace to stay quiet, as Saul did, when others despise you. Lord, change my heart for the work You give me, and keep me humble in it. Amen.

You’ve experienced

1 Samuel 10

0 of 31 chapters read

A verse to carry with you

As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all the signs came to pass that day.

1 Samuel 10:9

or swipe left