New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Samuel 10
1
Then Samuel took a bottle of olive oil. He poured it on Saul's head and kissed him. He said, "The Lord has anointed you to be the leader of his people.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 78:71
1 Samuel 9:16
Psalm 2:12
Acts 13:21
2 Kings 9:1
References Lord
1 Samuel 16:13
Deuteronomy 32:9
1 Samuel 26:11
2 Kings 20:5
2
When you leave me today, you will meet two men. They will be near Rachel's tomb at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They'll say to you, 'The donkeys you have been looking for have been found. Now your father has stopped thinking about them. Instead, he's worried about you. He's asking, "What can I do to find my son?" '
📍 Zelzah
3
"You will go on from Zelzah until you come to the large tree at Tabor. Three men will meet you there. They'll be on their way up to Bethel to worship God. One of them will be carrying three young goats. Another will be carrying three loaves of bread. A third will be carrying a bottle of wine. It will be a bottle that is made out of animal skin.
Reference
📍 Tabor 3
4
The men will greet you. They'll offer you two loaves of bread. You will accept the loaves from them.
5
"After that, you will go to Gibeah of God. Some Philistine soldiers are stationed there. As you approach the town, you will meet a group of prophets. They'll be coming down from the high place where they worship. People will be playing lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps at the head of the group. The prophets will be prophesying.
Reference
📍 Gibeath-elohim
Parallel theme
2 Kings 3:15
1 Samuel 13:3
Prophecy
1 Samuel 19:20
2 Kings 2:5
2 Kings 2:15
2 Kings 2:3
1 Samuel 10:10
6
The Spirit of the Lord will come on you with power. Then you will prophesy along with them. You will become a different person.
Reference
8
"Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. You can be sure that I'll come down to you there. I'll come and sacrifice burnt offerings and friendship offerings. But you must wait there for seven days until I come to you. Then I'll tell you what to do."
Reference
9
As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart. All of those things happened that day.
10
When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met Saul. Then the Spirit of God came on him with power. He prophesied along with them.
11
Those who had known Saul before saw him prophesying with the prophets. They asked one another, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also one of the prophets?"
Reference
12
A man who lived in Gibeah answered, "Yes, he is. In fact, he's their leader." That's why people say, "Is Saul also one of the prophets?"
Reference
13
After Saul stopped prophesying, he went to the high place to worship.
14
Later, Saul's uncle spoke to him and his servant. He asked, "Where have you been?" "Looking for the donkeys," he said. "But we couldn't find them. So we went to Samuel."
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 14:50
15
Saul's uncle said, "Tell me what Samuel said to you."
16
Saul replied, "He told us the donkeys had been found." But Saul didn't tell his uncle that Samuel had said he would become king.
Reference
17
Samuel sent a message to the people of Israel. He told them to meet with the Lord at Mizpah.
Reference
References Lord
Judges 20:1
18
He said to them, "The Lord is the God of Israel. He says, 'Israel, I brought you up out of Egypt. I saved you from their powerful hand. I also saved you from the powerful hand of all of the kingdoms that had beaten you down.'
19
"But now you have turned your backs on your God. He saves you out of all of your trouble and suffering. In spite of that, you have said, 'We refuse to listen. Place a king over us.' "So now gather together to meet with the Lord. Do it tribe by tribe and family group by family group."
Reference
20
Then Samuel had each tribe of Israel come forward. The tribe of Benjamin was chosen.
21
Next he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward, family group by family group. Matri's group was chosen. Finally Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen. But when people looked for him, they realized he wasn't there.
22
They needed more help from the Lord. So they asked him, "Has the man come here yet?" The Lord said, "Yes. He has hidden himself among the supplies."
Reference
23
So they ran over there and brought him out. When he stood up, the people saw that he was a head taller than any of them.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 9:2
24
Samuel spoke to all of the people. He said, "Look at the man the Lord has chosen! There isn't anyone like him among all of the people." Then the people shouted, "May the king live a long time!"
Reference
25
Samuel explained to the people what the king who ruled over them should do. He wrote it down on a scroll. He placed it in front of the Lord in the holy tent. Then he sent the people away. He sent each of them to their own homes.
26
Saul also went to his home in Gibeah. Some brave men whose hearts God had touched went with Saul.
Reference
Summary of 1 Samuel 10
1 Samuel chapter 10 continues the narrative of Saul and describes the occasion when Samuel anointed him to be the first king of Israel. Saul receives various signs as evidence that God has chosen him, and the Spirit of God then comes upon him. Samuel then calls the people together at Mizpeh, where Saul is publicly selected by lot. Although Saul is selected to be king, he initially hides among the baggage. The chapter closes with Saul returning home and beginning his new position, while some people question whether he is worthy to lead Israel.
Samuel takes a vial of oil and pours it upon Saul's head. He kisses Saul and tells him that the Lord has anointed him to be captain over His inheritance.
This is a significant event in the history of Israel as the people had asked for a king, and now God has selected the man to be in that position.
Samuel then gives Saul various signs that will occur on his journey home. These signs are supposed to assure Saul that what Samuel has told him is indeed from God.
First, Saul will meet two men near Rachel's sepulchre at Zelzah. They will tell him that the donkeys he had been searching for had been found. They will also tell him that his father is no longer concerned about the animals but is now concerned about Saul.
This directly ties in with the previous chapter as Saul had embarked on his journey because his father's donkeys were missing. Now the search is over and Saul's life is going to take a dramatically different path.
The second sign will be encountered at the plain of Tabor.
Saul will meet three men heading up to Bethel to worship God. One will be carrying three kids, another will be carrying three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a bottle of wine.
They will greet Saul and give him two loaves of bread.
The third sign will be encountered when Saul comes to the hill of God, where the Philistine garrison is located.
Here, Saul will encounter a group of prophets coming down from the high place. They will be accompanied by instruments and will be prophesying.
Samuel tells Saul that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon him. Saul will prophesy with them and will be transformed into another man.
Samuel tells Saul that when these signs occur, he should be doing whatever opportunity God gives him because God will be with him.
Samuel then instructs Saul to go down to Gilgal and for him to wait for him there for seven days. Samuel will come to him and tell him what he should do.
Saul leaves Samuel.
As he turns from him, God gives him another heart. All of the signs that Samuel had predicted take place on the same day.
As Saul comes among the prophets, the Spirit of God comes upon him. He prophesies among them.
The people that knew of Saul were amazed.
They asked, "What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?"
This expression became a common saying in Israel.
After this, Saul goes to the high place.
Samuel then calls the people together at Mizpeh.
This is a significant gathering as the people had demanded a king in the previous chapter. Now, the people are being called together so that they can receive the king that God has chosen.
Samuel reminds them of what the Lord has done for Israel. He brought them out of Egypt and delivered them from the power of their enemies.
Yet Samuel also reminds them that they have rejected their God, who had in fact saved them from all of their troubles and difficulties.
They had asked for a king.
Now, they are to stand before God and accept the consequences of their request.
Samuel brings the tribes of Israel before the Lord.
The tribe of Benjamin is selected.
Then the families of Benjamin are brought forward and the family of Matri is selected.
Finally, Saul the son of Kish is selected.
However, when the people looked for Saul, they could not find him.
They ask the Lord where he is.
The answer comes that Saul is hiding among the baggage.
The people run and bring him out.
When Saul stands among the people, he is taller than everyone else. His impressive figure immediately stands out.
Samuel then tells the people, "See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?"
The people respond by shouting, "God save the king."
Samuel then explains the manner of the kingdom and writes it in a book. He sets the record before the Lord.
The people are then sent home.
Saul also returns to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by men whose hearts God has touched.
However, not everyone supports Saul.
Some people described as the children of Belial despise Saul. They ask how this man could save them.
They refuse to bring him gifts.
Saul does not answer their insults.
The chapter closes with Saul being silent.
The events of this chapter show the progression of Saul from being an unknown young man to being the first king of Israel. His anointing by Samuel is private, and God then provides various signs to assure Saul of his selection. Finally, Saul is publicly selected by the people.
The signs are significant because Saul needs assurance that his new position is indeed from God. He was not seeking kingship, but he was instead searching for his father's donkeys. The words of Samuel introduce Saul to a future that he could not have expected.
The coming of the Spirit of God upon Saul is also significant as Saul is not simply given a political position, but God has equipped him for the responsibility that he is about to receive.
The expression that Saul was transformed into another man describes the significant change in his life. The young man who was thinking about finding his father's donkeys is now being prepared to lead a nation.
At the same time, this chapter also sets an early indication that Saul's kingship will not be simple. Some people accept him immediately and celebrate his appointment, while others question if he can save Israel.
Saul's decision to not answer his critics is notable. He could have angrily responded to their words, but at this point, he is silent.
The people's demand for a king is also significant. Samuel reminds them that God had already been their king and that God had repeatedly delivered them. They had asked for a human king because they wanted to be like the nations around them.
Yet God still works through their decision.
Saul's height and appearance also fit with what the people might have expected from a king. He looks like someone that could stand before an army and represent the nation. However, his appearance will not in itself determine the success of his reign. The later chapters will show that obedience to God will be significantly more important.
An interesting detail of this chapter is Saul hiding among the baggage when he is publicly selected. He does not immediately respond to his selection even though he had been anointed privately and had received various signs from God.
The chapter therefore presents Saul as a man who has been selected and equipped by God, but who whose character and faithfulness will still be tested.
1 Samuel chapter 10 marks the beginning of Israel's monarchy. Samuel anoints Saul, God confirms the choice with signs and the people publicly recognize Saul as king. Saul receives the Spirit of God and begins his new position, but not everyone supports him. The chapter leaves the reader with both hope and uncertainty as Saul embarks on his reign as king.
Samuel takes a vial of oil and pours it upon Saul's head. He kisses Saul and tells him that the Lord has anointed him to be captain over His inheritance.
This is a significant event in the history of Israel as the people had asked for a king, and now God has selected the man to be in that position.
Samuel then gives Saul various signs that will occur on his journey home. These signs are supposed to assure Saul that what Samuel has told him is indeed from God.
First, Saul will meet two men near Rachel's sepulchre at Zelzah. They will tell him that the donkeys he had been searching for had been found. They will also tell him that his father is no longer concerned about the animals but is now concerned about Saul.
This directly ties in with the previous chapter as Saul had embarked on his journey because his father's donkeys were missing. Now the search is over and Saul's life is going to take a dramatically different path.
The second sign will be encountered at the plain of Tabor.
Saul will meet three men heading up to Bethel to worship God. One will be carrying three kids, another will be carrying three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a bottle of wine.
They will greet Saul and give him two loaves of bread.
The third sign will be encountered when Saul comes to the hill of God, where the Philistine garrison is located.
Here, Saul will encounter a group of prophets coming down from the high place. They will be accompanied by instruments and will be prophesying.
Samuel tells Saul that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon him. Saul will prophesy with them and will be transformed into another man.
Samuel tells Saul that when these signs occur, he should be doing whatever opportunity God gives him because God will be with him.
Samuel then instructs Saul to go down to Gilgal and for him to wait for him there for seven days. Samuel will come to him and tell him what he should do.
Saul leaves Samuel.
As he turns from him, God gives him another heart. All of the signs that Samuel had predicted take place on the same day.
As Saul comes among the prophets, the Spirit of God comes upon him. He prophesies among them.
The people that knew of Saul were amazed.
They asked, "What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?"
This expression became a common saying in Israel.
After this, Saul goes to the high place.
Samuel then calls the people together at Mizpeh.
This is a significant gathering as the people had demanded a king in the previous chapter. Now, the people are being called together so that they can receive the king that God has chosen.
Samuel reminds them of what the Lord has done for Israel. He brought them out of Egypt and delivered them from the power of their enemies.
Yet Samuel also reminds them that they have rejected their God, who had in fact saved them from all of their troubles and difficulties.
They had asked for a king.
Now, they are to stand before God and accept the consequences of their request.
Samuel brings the tribes of Israel before the Lord.
The tribe of Benjamin is selected.
Then the families of Benjamin are brought forward and the family of Matri is selected.
Finally, Saul the son of Kish is selected.
However, when the people looked for Saul, they could not find him.
They ask the Lord where he is.
The answer comes that Saul is hiding among the baggage.
The people run and bring him out.
When Saul stands among the people, he is taller than everyone else. His impressive figure immediately stands out.
Samuel then tells the people, "See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?"
The people respond by shouting, "God save the king."
Samuel then explains the manner of the kingdom and writes it in a book. He sets the record before the Lord.
The people are then sent home.
Saul also returns to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by men whose hearts God has touched.
However, not everyone supports Saul.
Some people described as the children of Belial despise Saul. They ask how this man could save them.
They refuse to bring him gifts.
Saul does not answer their insults.
The chapter closes with Saul being silent.
The events of this chapter show the progression of Saul from being an unknown young man to being the first king of Israel. His anointing by Samuel is private, and God then provides various signs to assure Saul of his selection. Finally, Saul is publicly selected by the people.
The signs are significant because Saul needs assurance that his new position is indeed from God. He was not seeking kingship, but he was instead searching for his father's donkeys. The words of Samuel introduce Saul to a future that he could not have expected.
The coming of the Spirit of God upon Saul is also significant as Saul is not simply given a political position, but God has equipped him for the responsibility that he is about to receive.
The expression that Saul was transformed into another man describes the significant change in his life. The young man who was thinking about finding his father's donkeys is now being prepared to lead a nation.
At the same time, this chapter also sets an early indication that Saul's kingship will not be simple. Some people accept him immediately and celebrate his appointment, while others question if he can save Israel.
Saul's decision to not answer his critics is notable. He could have angrily responded to their words, but at this point, he is silent.
The people's demand for a king is also significant. Samuel reminds them that God had already been their king and that God had repeatedly delivered them. They had asked for a human king because they wanted to be like the nations around them.
Yet God still works through their decision.
Saul's height and appearance also fit with what the people might have expected from a king. He looks like someone that could stand before an army and represent the nation. However, his appearance will not in itself determine the success of his reign. The later chapters will show that obedience to God will be significantly more important.
An interesting detail of this chapter is Saul hiding among the baggage when he is publicly selected. He does not immediately respond to his selection even though he had been anointed privately and had received various signs from God.
The chapter therefore presents Saul as a man who has been selected and equipped by God, but who whose character and faithfulness will still be tested.
1 Samuel chapter 10 marks the beginning of Israel's monarchy. Samuel anoints Saul, God confirms the choice with signs and the people publicly recognize Saul as king. Saul receives the Spirit of God and begins his new position, but not everyone supports him. The chapter leaves the reader with both hope and uncertainty as Saul embarks on his reign as king.