1 Samuel 10:24 Komentář

We left Samuel and Saul walking together, probably some private way over the fields down from Ramah, perhaps in the paths of the vineyards, and Saul expecting to hear from Samuel the word of God. Now here we have, I. The anointing of Saul then and there (Sa1 10:1). The signs Samuel gave him (Sa1 10:2-6). And instructions (Sa1 10:7-8). II. The accomplishment of those signs to the satisfaction of Saul (Sa1 10:9-13). III. His return to his father's house (Sa1 10:14-16). IV. His public election by lot, and solemn inauguration (Sa1 10:17-25). V. His return to his own city (Sa1 10:26, Sa1 10:27). It is a great work that is here a doing, the setting up not only of a monarch, but of monarchy itself, in Israel; and therefore in all the advances towards it much of God is seen.

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 10 In this chapter we read of Saul's being anointed king by Samuel, Sa1 10:1, and of certain signs given as confirming the same, which should come to pass, and did, before Saul got to his father's house, Sa1 10:2, of his arrival at his father's house, and of what passed between him and his uncle there, Sa1 10:14, of Samuel's calling all Israel together at Mizpeh, and of the election of Saul by lot to be king, and of his being declared such, Sa1 10:17, and of his return to his city, being respected by some, and despised by others, Sa1 10:26.

Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, According to Ben Gersom, he laid before them the power a king had over his people, and the punishment he might inflict upon them, if they rebelled against him; and some think this is the same he delivered in Sa1 8:10 concerning the arbitrary power of their kings, and how they would be used by them; and which he here repeated, and then wrote it, that it might be a testimony against them hereafter; with which what Josephus (m) says pretty much agrees, that in the hearing of the king he foretold what would befall them, and then wrote it, and laid it up, that it might be a witness of his predictions; but that in 1Sa 8:10-17. Samuel said, was the manner of their king, or how he would use them, but this the manner of the kingdom, and how the government of it was to be managed and submitted to, what was the office of a king, and what the duties of the subject; and yet was different from, at least not the same with that in Deu 17:15, for that had been written and laid up already: and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the Lord; in the ark of the Lord; as Kimchi; or rather by the ark of the Lord, on one side of it, as Ben Gersom; or best of all, as Josephus (n), in the tabernacle of the Lord, where recourse might be had to it, at any time, at least by a priest, and where it would be safe, and be preserved to future times: and Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house; for though Saul was chosen king, he did not take upon him the exercise of government directly, but left it to Samuel to dismiss the people, who had been for many years their chief magistrate. (m) Antiqu. l. 6. c. 4. sect. 6. (n) Ibid.

But I see we must enquire, how this Behemoth, who eats hay like an ox, is said to destroy the life of the spiritual, when, as was before said, by the word 'hay' is designated the life of the carnal. His food also will no longer be choice, if, in eating hay, he seizes the carnal. But it occurs at once in reply, that some men are both hay in the sight of God, and among men are counted under the name of holiness, when their life displays one thing before the eyes of men, and before the Divine judgment their conscience intends another. They therefore in the opinion of men are 'choice,' but in the accurate judgment of the Lord are 'hay.' Was not Saul hay in the sight of God, of whom the Prophet Samuel said to the people, Ye surely see him whom the Lord hath chosen, and of whom it is said just above, He is choice and good? For he whom the sinful people deserved, was both reprobate in the sight of God, and yet in the order of causes was choice and good.

Indeed the right order for a chosen preacher is that before the loftiness of ecclesiastical eminence, he ascend the summit of virtue, that for the honor of God he obtain the summit of glory, but shine with greater loftiness through the revealed perfection of virtues. Such a Pastor indeed is greatly to be proclaimed by perfect men, and to be desired and loved by the lesser ones. Well therefore is it added: "And he said to all the people: Surely you see whom the Lord has chosen, that there is none like him among all the people." And all the people cried out: Long live the king.

Samuel anoints Saul captain of the Lord's inheritance, Sa1 10:1. Instructs him concerning his return home, whom he should meet, and what he should do, Sa1 10:2-8. Saul meets a company of prophets, the Spirit of the Lord comes on him, and he prophesies among them, Sa1 10:9-13. He meets his uncle, and converses with him, Sa1 10:14-16. Samuel calls the people together to Mizpeh, and upbraids them for having rejected the Lord as their king, Sa1 10:17-19. Lots are cast to find out the person proper to be appointed king; Saul is chosen, Sa1 10:20-24. Samuel shows the manner of the king, and writes it in a book, Sa1 10:25. Saul goes to Gibeah; and certain persons refuse to acknowledge him as king, Sa1 10:26, Sa1 10:27.

God save the king - There is no such word here; no, nor in the whole Bible; nor is it countenanced by any of the versions. The words which we thus translate here and elsewhere are simply יחי המלך yechi hammelech, "May the king live;" and so all the versions, the Targum excepted, which says, May the king prosper! The French Vive le roi! is a proper version of the Hebrew.

SAMUEL ANOINTS SAUL, AND CONFIRMS HIM BY THE PREDICTION OF THREE SIGNS. (1Sa. 10:1-27) Then Samuel took a vial of oil--This was the ancient (Jdg 9:8) ceremony of investiture with the royal office among the Hebrews and other Eastern nations. But there were two unctions to the kingly office; the one in private, by a prophet (Sa1 16:13), which was meant to be only a prophetic intimation of the person attaining that high dignity--the more public and formal inauguration (Sa2 2:4; Sa2 5:3) was performed by the high priest, and perhaps with the holy oil, but that is not certain. The first of a dynasty was thus anointed, but not his heirs, unless the succession was disputed (Kg1 1:39; Kg2 11:12; Kg2 23:30; Ch2 23:11). kissed him--This salutation, as explained by the words that accompanied it, was an act of respectful homage, a token of congratulation to the new king (Psa 2:12).