1 Samuel 10
by Pastor David Groendyk

This chapter is the fulfillment of God’s revelation to Samuel in 9:16—Saul is anointed and elected king over Israel. Saul is a perplexing and polarizing figure, both for Israel and for us. He has the Spirit of the Lord rush upon him, but he has already been called a king like every other nation; he is turned into a new man, but he still acts cowardly; he is not God’s chosen king, but he is appointed and confirmed by God. Behind these conflicting realities, all throughout this chapter we see that God is still the one in charge.

Verses 1–16 describe the private anointing ceremony of Saul. Samuel explains to Saul that he is to be king over Israel, and to confirm that calling Samuel gives Saul a number of signs that are meant to assure Saul that it is God who has called him. All of these signs come to pass exactly as Samuel described them, but more than those signs, we also see God equipping his servant. The Spirit of the Lord rushes upon him (v. 6), God is with him (v. 7), God gives him a new heart (v. 9), and later God strengthens and equips those close to Saul (v. 26). Now, we have to keep in mind that this equipping will only be temporary. In 1 Samuel 16:14, the Spirit of the Lord will leave Saul for good after David is chosen as his replacement. But for now, we see that God both assures and equips Saul to be king over Israel, even though he is the sinful human choice, and God will work great wonders of deliverance and accomplish much good through King Saul.

Verses 17–27 describe the public election of Saul. Samuel boldly reminds the people that they have rejected God in their desiring of a king, and yet we see God himself at work to select Saul as he sovereignly causes the lots to land upon him. But as if Samuel’s accusation in verse 19 isn’t ominous enough, when the lots land on Saul, he’s apparently hiding among the baggage. As theologian and commentator Ralph Davis points out, this theme of hide-and-seek has been prominent in chapters 9 and 10. Some form of the verb “find” has occurred twelve times so far, and now it is Saul himself who can’t be found (v. 21). Who finds him? The Lord (v. 22). It’s God’s revelation to the people about Saul’s location that keeps this coronation ceremony on schedule. The people have already heard (8:10–18) and now they should have seen that this guy was not going to be the one for them, but this is exactly what they asked for (8:4). In fact, Saul’s name literally means ‘what was asked for’ (which stands as a very stark contrast between the two figures of Samuel, which means ‘name of God’, and David, which means ‘beloved’). Yet, though he is being painted in a bad color, God is with this man and is equipping him with his own Spirit. Even verse 27 gives us some serious insight into how we ought to assess Saul. After the coronation ceremony, certain “worthless fellows” disparaged and derided Saul’s appointment and refused to submit to him and honor him. Notice that those who disparaged Saul were not called the faithful few who remained committed to God; no, they were “worthless fellows”. That title elsewhere in the Old Testament is used for those who tempt God’s people to worship other gods (Deut. 13:13), those who rape, assault, and murder women (Judg. 19:22), Eli’s two sons (1 Sam. 2:12), and the lying witnesses who get Naboth wrongfully convicted and killed (1 Kgs. 21:10). Even though Saul is not God’s chosen king, he demands the honor and respect of being God’s appointed instrument whom God would use to save his people. In contrast to what those worthless men say, of course Saul could deliver the people! Because deliverance is never really up to man anyway, whether good or bad. God is the one who saves. This should be a humble reminder for all of us in relation to anyone God has put in charge of us, whether in church leadership or civil authority.

In his commentary Ralph Davis also says that, perhaps not in Saul himself but certainly in his kingly office, we see a pointer to Christ. The Spirit of the Lord is upon him to help him carry out his work, he acts as a prophet, he defeats his enemies and establishes the people (ch. 11), and he is a polarizing figure who brings division (Luke 12:51) and is rejected (John 6:42) despite his role in saving his people. Saul is certainly no role model for kingship or for Christians (after chapter 11, it’s all downhill for Saul), but he does cause us to look forward to our true and better God-appointed Savior and King.