1 Samuel 10 narrates the anointing of Saul as the first king of Israel, his divine confirmation through prophetic signs, and his public selection by lot. The chapter offers several theological insights:
1. God’s Sovereignty in Choosing Leaders (vv. 1, 17-24)
- Samuel anoints Saul as king under God’s direction, showing that leadership is ultimately appointed by God, not merely human decision.
- The casting of lots to confirm Saul (vv. 20-21) reinforces divine control over the process.
- Lesson: God raises up leaders according to His purposes, even when the people desire leadership for the wrong reasons (as seen in 1 Samuel 8).
2. Anointing and Divine Empowerment (v. 1, 6-10)
- Samuel anoints Saul with oil, a symbol of God’s choice and empowerment.
- Saul is told that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon him, and he will prophesy (v. 6).
- When the Spirit comes, Saul is transformed into “another man” (v. 6), showing that God equips those He calls.
- Lesson: God does not just appoint leaders—He also empowers them with His Spirit to accomplish their calling.
3. The Role of Signs in Confirming God’s Will (vv. 2-9)
- Samuel gives Saul three prophetic signs to confirm God’s calling:
- Finding the lost donkeys (v. 2) – God cares for even small concerns.
- Receiving bread from strangers (vv. 3-4) – God will provide for him.
- Prophesying with the prophets (vv. 5-6) – God will transform him.
- When these signs occur as predicted, Saul has undeniable evidence of God’s hand in his anointing.
- Lesson: God often provides clear confirmations when calling someone to a task.
4. The Transformative Power of the Spirit (vv. 6-10)
- The coming of the Spirit of the Lord changes Saul, even leading him to prophesy.
- This highlights how God’s presence transforms a person’s nature and abilities.
- However, Saul’s later failures show that an encounter with the Spirit does not guarantee lifelong faithfulness.
- Lesson: The Holy Spirit empowers people for service, but ongoing faithfulness to God is still required.
5. Human Reluctance and Fear (vv. 21-22)
- When Saul is publicly chosen as king, he hides among the baggage, showing fear and insecurity.
- This foreshadows his later struggles with insecurity and disobedience.
- Lesson: Even those called by God may struggle with fear, but faith requires stepping into God’s calling.
6. The Mixed Nature of Israel’s Monarchy (vv. 17-19)
- Samuel reminds Israel that their request for a king was a rejection of God’s rule (v. 19).
- Though God grants their request, it comes with warnings—implying that their desire for human leadership was misguided.
- Lesson: God may permit human desires (even flawed ones) but still works out His divine purposes.
7. The Division Between Public Acclaim and Private Faithfulness (vv. 24-27)
- After Saul is presented as king, the people shout in approval (v. 24), but some reject him (v. 27).
- Saul remains silent, hinting at his later struggles with people-pleasing and fear.
- Lesson: Public approval does not equal divine favor—true leadership requires obedience to God, not just popularity.
Conclusion
1 Samuel 10 teaches that God sovereignly appoints and empowers leaders, but their success depends on their faithfulness to Him. The chapter also highlights the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, the role of divine confirmation, and the tension between human expectations and God’s will.
