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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [First Samuel, Chapter X].</TITLE>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T &nbsp; S A M U E L</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. X.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
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,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:1">ver. 1</A>.
The signs Samuel gave him,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:2-6">ver. 2-6</A>.
And instructions,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:7-8">ver. 7-8</A>.
II. The accomplishment of those signs to the satisfaction of Saul,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:9-13">ver. 9-13</A>.
III. His return to his father's house,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:14-16">ver. 14-16</A>.
IV. His public election by lot, and solemn inauguration,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:17-25">ver. 17-25</A>.
V. His return to his own city,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:26,27">ver. 26, 27</A>.
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.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="1Sa10_1"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_2"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_3"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_4"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_5"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_6"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_7"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_8"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Saul Anointed by Samuel; Samuel's Address to Saul.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1070.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured <I>it</I> upon his
head, and kissed him, and said, <I>Is it</I> not because the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath
anointed thee <I>to be</I> captain over his inheritance?
&nbsp; 2 When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find
two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at
Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest
to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the
asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?
&nbsp; 3 Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt
come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men
going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another
carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of
wine:
&nbsp; 4 And they will salute thee, and give thee two <I>loaves</I> of
bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.
&nbsp; 5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where <I>is</I> the
garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou
art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of
prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a
tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall
prophesy:
&nbsp; 6 And the Spirit of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> will come upon thee, and thou
shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
&nbsp; 7 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, <I>that</I>
thou do as occasion serve thee; for God <I>is</I> with thee.
&nbsp; 8 And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I
will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, <I>and</I> to
sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou
tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Samuel is here executing the office of a prophet, giving Saul full
assurance from God that he should be king, as he was afterwards,
according to these prophecies which went before of him.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. He <I>anointed him</I> and <I>kissed him,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
This was not done in a solemn assembly, but it was done by divine
appointment, which made up the want of all external solemnities, nor
was it ever the less valid for its being done in private, under a
hedge, or, as the Jews say, by <I>a fountain.</I> God's institutions
are great and honourable, though the circumstances of their
administration be ever so mean and despicable.
1. Samuel, by anointing Saul, assured him that it was God's act to make
him king: <I>Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee?</I> And, in
token of that, the high priest was anointed to his office, to signify
the conferring of those gifts upon him that were requisite for the
discharge of its duties, and the same was intimated in the anointing of
kings; for whom God calls he qualifies, and suitable qualifications
furnish good proof of a commission. These sacred unctions, then used,
pointed at the great Messiah, or anointed one, the king of the church,
and high priest of our profession, who was anointed with the oil of the
Spirit, not by measure, but without measure, and above all the priests
and princes of the Jewish church. It was common oil, no doubt, which
Samuel used, and we read not of his blessing it or praying over it. But
it was only a vial of oil that he anointed him with, the vessel
brittle, because his kingdom would soon be cracked and broken, and the
quantity small, because he had but little of the Spirit conferred upon
him to what David had, who was therefore anointed with a horn of oil,
as were Solomon and Jehu with a box of oil.
2. By kissing him, he assured him of his own approbation of the choice,
not only his consent to it, but his complacency in it, though it
abridged his power and eclipsed his glory and the glory of his family.
"<I>God has anointed thee,</I>" says Samuel, "<I>to be king,</I> and I
am satisfied and very well pleased, in pledge of which take this kiss."
It was likewise a kiss of homage and allegiance; hereby he not only
owns him to be king, but his king, and in this sense we are commanded
to <I>kiss the Son,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:12">Ps. ii. 12</A>.
God has anointed him, and therefore we must thus acknowledge him and do
homage to him. In Samuel's explication of the ceremony, he reminds
him,
(1.) Of the nature of the government to which he is called. He was
anointed to be a captain, a commander indeed, which bespeaks honour and
power, but a commander in war, which bespeaks care, and toil, and
danger.
(2.) Of the origin of it: <I>The Lord hath anointed thee.</I> By him he
ruled, and therefore must rule for him, in dependence on him, and with
an eye to his glory.
(3.) Of the end of it. It is over his inheritance, to take care of
that, protect it, and order all the affairs of it for the best, as a
steward whom a great man sets over his estate, to manage it for his
service and give an account of it to him.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. For his further satisfaction he gives him some signs, which should
come to pass immediately, this very day; and they were such as would
not only confirm the word of Samuel in general, and prove him a true
prophet, but would confirm this word to Saul in particular, that he
should be king.
1. He should presently meet with some that would bring him intelligence
from home of the care his father's house was in concerning him,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
These he would meet hard by Rachel's sepulchre. The first place Samuel
directed him to was a sepulchre, the sepulchre of one of his ancestors,
for Rachel died in travail with Benjamin; there he must read a lecture
of his own mortality, and now that he had a crown in his eye must think
of his grave, in which all his honour would be laid in the dust. Here
two men would meet him, perhaps sent on purpose to look after him, and
would tell him the asses were found, and his father was in pain
concerning him, saying, <I>What shall I do for my son?</I> He would
reckon it happened well that he met with these messengers; and it is
good to eye Providence in favourable conjunctures (though the matter be
minute) and to be encouraged to trust it in greater matters.
2. He should next meet with others going to Bethel, where, it should
seem, there was a high place for religious worship, and these men were
bringing their sacrifices thither,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
It was a token for good to one that was designed for the government of
Israel, wherever he came, to meet with people going to worship God. It
is supposed that those kids and loaves, and the bottle of wine which
the three men had with them, were designed for sacrifice, with the
meat-offerings and drink-offerings that were to attend the sacrifice;
yet Samuel tells Saul that they will give him two of their loaves, and
he must take them. Such a present would look to us now like the
relieving of a beggar. Saul must hereafter remember the time when he
received alms, and must therefore be humble and charitable to the poor.
But perhaps it would then be construed a fit present for a prince; and,
as such, Saul must receive it, the first present that was brought to
him, by such as knew not what they did, nor why they did it, but God
put it into their hearts, which made it the more fit to be a sign to
him. These two loaves, which were the first tribute paid to this
newly-anointed king, might serve for an admonition to him not to spend
the wealth of his crown in luxury, but still to be content with plain
food. Bread is the staff of life.
3. The most remarkable sign of all would be his joining with a company
of prophets that he should meet with, under the influence of a spirit
of prophecy, which should at that time come upon him. What God works in
us by his Spirit serves much more for the confirming of faith than any
thing wrought for us by his providence. He here
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>)
tells him,
(1.) Where this would happen: <I>At the hill of God,</I> where there
was a <I>garrison of the Philistines,</I> which is supposed to be near
Gibeah, his own city, for there was the Philistines' garrison,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+13:3"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 3</A>.
Perhaps it was one of the articles of Samuel's agreement with them that
they should have a garrison there, or, rather, after they were subdued
in the beginning of his time they got ground again, so far as to force
this garrison into that place, and thence God raised up the man that
should chastise them. There was a place that was called the <I>hill of
God,</I> because of one of the schools of the prophets built upon it;
and such respect did even Philistines themselves pay to religion that a
garrison of their soldiers suffered a school of God's prophets to live
peaceably by them, and did not only not dislodge them, but not restrain
nor disturb the public exercises of their devotion.
(2.) Upon what occasion; he should meet <I>a company of prophets with
music before them, prophesying,</I> and with them he should join
himself. These prophets were not (as it should seem) divinely inspired
to foretel things to come, nor did God reveal himself to them by dreams
and visions, but they employed themselves in the study of the law, in
instructing their neighbours, and in the acts of piety, especially in
praising God, wherein they were wonderfully assisted and enlarged by
the Spirit of God. It was happy for Israel that they had not only
prophets, but companies of prophets, who gave them good instructions
and set them good examples, and helped very much to keep up religion
among them. Now the word of the Lord was not precious, as it had been
when Samuel was first raised up, who had been instrumental in founding
these colleges, or religious houses, whence, it is probable, the
synagogues took their rise. What a pity was it that Israel should be
weary of the government of such a man, who though he had not, as a man
of war, expelled the Philistines, yet (which was a greater kindness to
Israel) had, as a man of God, settled the schools of the prophets!
Music was then used as a proper means to dispose the mind to receive
the impressions of the good Spirit, as it did Elisha's,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:15">2 Kings iii. 15</A>.
But we have no reason to look for the same benefit by it now, unless we
saw it as effectual as it was then in Saul's case, to drive away the
evil spirit. These prophets had been at the high place, probably
offering sacrifice, and now they came back singing psalms. We should
come from holy ordinances with our hearts greatly enlarged in holy joy
and praise. See
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+138:5">Ps. cxxxviii. 5</A>.
Saul should find himself strongly moved to join with them, and should
be turned thereby <I>into another man</I> from what he had been while
he lived in a private capacity. The Spirit of God, by his ordinances,
changes men, wonderfully transforms them; Saul, by praising God in the
communion of saints, became another man, but whether a new man or no
may be questioned.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. He directs him to proceed in the administration of his government
as Providence should lead him, and as Samuel should advise him.
1. He must follow Providence in ordinary cases
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
"<I>Do as occasion shall serve thee.</I> Take such measures as thy own
prudence shall direct thee." But,
2. In an extraordinary strait that would hereafter befal him at Gilgal,
and would be the most critical juncture of all, when he would have
special need of divine aids, he must wait for Samuel to come to him,
and must tarry <I>seven days</I> in expectation of him,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
How his failing in this matter proved his fall we find afterwards,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+13:11"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 11</A>.
It was now a plain intimation to him that he was upon his good
behaviour, and, though a king, must act under the direction of Samuel,
and do as he should order him. The greatest of men must own themselves
in subjection to God and his word.</P>
<A NAME="1Sa10_9"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_10"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_11"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_12"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_13"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_14"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_15"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_16"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Saul Among the Prophets.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1070.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>9 And it was <I>so,</I> that when he had turned his back to go from
Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to
pass that day.
&nbsp; 10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of
prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he
prophesied among them.
&nbsp; 11 And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw
that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people
said one to another, What <I>is</I> this <I>that</I> is come unto the son
of Kish? <I>Is</I> Saul also among the prophets?
&nbsp; 12 And one of the same place answered and said, But who <I>is</I>
their father? Therefore it became a proverb, <I>Is</I> Saul also among
the prophets?
&nbsp; 13 And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the
high place.
&nbsp; 14 And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither
went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that
<I>they were</I> no where, we came to Samuel.
&nbsp; 15 And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel
said unto you.
&nbsp; 16 And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the
asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof
Samuel spake, he told him not.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Saul has now taken his leave of Samuel, much amazed, we may well
suppose, at what has been done to him, almost ready to question whether
he be awake or no, and whether it be not all a dream. Now here we are
told,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. What occurred by the way,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
Those signs which Samuel had given him came to pass very punctually;
but that which gave him the greatest satisfaction of all was this, he
found immediately that God had given him <I>another heart.</I> A new
fire was kindled in his breast, such as he had never before been
acquainted with: seeking the asses is quite out of his mind, and he
thinks of nothing but fighting the Philistines, redressing the
grievances of Israel, making laws, administering justice, and providing
for the public safety; these are the things that now fill his head. He
finds himself raised to such a pitch of boldness and bravery as he
never thought he should be conscious of. He has no longer the heart of
a husbandman, which is low, and mean, and narrow, and concerned only
about his corn and cattle; but the heart of a statesman, a general, a
prince. Whom God calls to any service he will make fit for it. If he
advance to another station, he will give another heart, to those who
sincerely desire to serve him with their power.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. What occurred when he came near home. They came to <I>the hill</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
that is, to <I>Gibeah,</I> or <I>Geba,</I> which signifies <I>a
hill,</I> and so the Chaldee here takes it as a proper name; he met
with the prophets as Samuel had told him, and the Spirit of God came
upon him, strongly and suddenly (so the word signifies), but not so as
to rest and abide upon him. It came on so as to go off quickly.
However, for the present, it had a strange effect upon him; for he
immediately joined with the prophets in their devotion, and that with
as much decorum and as great a transport of affection as any of them:
<I>He prophesied among them.</I> Now,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. His prophesying was publicly taken notice of,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>.
He was now among his acquaintance, who, when they saw him among the
prophets, called one another to come and see a strange sight. This
would prepare them to accept him as a king, though one of themselves,
when they had seen how God had advanced him to the honour of a prophet.
The seventy elders prophesied before they were made judges,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+11:25">Num. xi. 25</A>.
Now,
(1.) They all wondered to see Saul among the prophets: <I>What is this
that has come to the son of Kish?</I> Though this school of the
prophets was near his father's house, yet he had never associated with
them, nor shown them any respect, perhaps had sometimes spoken slightly
of them; and now to see him prophesying among them was a surprise to
them, as it was long after when his namesake, in the New Testament,
preached that gospel which he had before persecuted,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:21">Acts ix. 21</A>.
Where God gives another heart it will soon show itself.
(2.) One of them, that was wiser than the rest, asked, "<I>Who is their
father,</I> or instructor? Is is not God? Are they not all taught of
him? Do they not all owe their gifts to him? And is he limited? Cannot
he make Saul a prophet, as well as any of them, if he please?" Or, "Is
not Samuel their father?" Under God, he was so; and Saul had now lately
been with him, which, by his servant, he might know. No marvel for him
to prophesy who lay last night under Samuel's roof.
(3.) It became a proverb, commonly used in Israel, when they would
express their wonder at a bad man's either becoming good, or at least
being found in good company, <I>Is Saul among the prophets?</I> Note,
Saul among the prophets is a wonder to a proverb. Let not the worst be
despaired of, yet let not an external show of devotion, and a sudden
change for the present, be too much relied on; for Saul among the
prophets was Saul still.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. His being anointed was kept private. When he had done prophesying,
(1.) It should seem he uttered all his words before the Lord, and
recommended the affair to his favour, for he went straight <I>to the
high place</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
to give God thanks for his mercies to him and to pray for the
continuance of those mercies. But,
(2.) He industriously concealed from his relations what had passed. His
uncle, who met with him either at the high place or as soon as he came
home, examined him,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
Saul owned, for his servant knew it, that they had been with Samuel,
and that he told them the asses were found, but said not a word of
<I>the kingdom,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>.
This was an instance,
[1.] Of his humility. Many a one would have been so elated with this
surprising elevation as to proclaim it upon the house-top. But Saul,
though he might please himself with it in his own breast, did not pride
himself in it among his neighbours. The heirs of the kingdom of glory
are well enough pleased that <I>the world knows them not,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+3:1">1 John iii. 1</A>.
[2.] Of his prudence. Had he been forward to proclaim it, he would have
been envied, and he knew not what difficulty that might have created
him. Samuel had communicated it to him as a secret, and he knows how to
keep counsel. Thus it appears that he had another heart, a heart fit
for government.
[3.] Of his dependence upon God. He does not go about to make an
interest for himself, but leaves it to God to carry on his own work by
Samuel, and, for his own part, sits still, to see how the matter will
fall.</P>
<A NAME="1Sa10_17"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_18"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_19"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_20"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_21"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_22"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_23"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_24"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_25"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_26"> </A>
<A NAME="1Sa10_27"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Election of a King; Saul Introduced to the People.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1070.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>17 And Samuel called the people together unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> to
Mizpeh;
&nbsp; 18 And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered
you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all
kingdoms, <I>and</I> of them that oppressed you:
&nbsp; 19 And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved
you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye
have said unto him, <I>Nay,</I> but set a king over us. Now therefore
present yourselves before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> by your tribes, and by your
thousands.
&nbsp; 20 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come
near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
&nbsp; 21 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by
their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son
of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be
found.
&nbsp; 22 Therefore they enquired of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> further, if the man
should yet come thither. And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> answered, Behold, he hath
hid himself among the stuff.
&nbsp; 23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among
the people, he was higher than any of the people from his
shoulders and upward.
&nbsp; 24 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
hath chosen, that <I>there is</I> none like him among all the people?
And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
&nbsp; 25 Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and
wrote <I>it</I> in a book, and laid <I>it</I> up before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>. And
Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
&nbsp; 26 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a
band of men, whose hearts God had touched.
&nbsp; 27 But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us?
And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held
his peace.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Saul's nomination to the throne is here made public, in a general
assembly of the elders of Israel, the representatives of their
respective tribes at Mizpeh. It is probable that this convention of the
states was called as soon as conveniently it might, after Saul was
anointed, for, if there must be a change in their government, the
sooner the better: it might be of bad consequence to be long in the
doing. The people having met in a solemn assembly, in which God was in
a peculiar manner present (and therefore it is said they were <I>called
together unto the Lord,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>),
Samuel acts for God among them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. He reproves them for casting off the government of a prophet, and
desiring that of a captain.
1. He shows them
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>)
how happy they had been under the divine government; when God ruled
them, he <I>delivered them out of the hand of those that oppressed
them,</I> and what would they desire more? Could the mightiest man of
valour do that for them which the Almighty God had done?
2. He likewise shows them
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>)
what an affront they had put upon God (who had himself saved them
<I>out of all their tribulations,</I> by his own power, and by such as
he had immediately called and qualified) in desiring a king to save
them. He tells them in plain terms, "<I>You have this day rejected your
God;</I> you have in effect done it: so he construes it, and he might
justly, for your so doing, reject you." Those that can live better by
sense than by faith, that stay themselves upon an arm of flesh rather
than upon the almighty arm, forsake a fountain of living waters for
broken cisterns. And some make their obstinacy in this matter to be a
presage of their rejecting Christ, in casting off whom they cast off
God, that he should not reign over them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. He puts them upon choosing their king by lot. He knew whom God had
chosen, and had already anointed him, but he knew also the peevishness
of that people, and that there were those among them who would not
acquiesce in the choice if it depended upon his single testimony; and
therefore, that every tribe and every family of the chosen tribe might
please themselves with having a chance for it, he calls them to the
lot,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
Benjamin is taken out of all the tribes
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
and out of that tribe Saul the son of Kish,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
By this method it would appear to the people, as it already appeared to
Samuel, that Saul was appointed of God to be king; for <I>the disposal
of the lot is of the Lord.</I> It would also prevent all disputes and
exceptions; for <I>the lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth
between the mighty.</I> When the tribe of Benjamin was taken, they
might easily foresee that they were setting up a family that would soon
be put down again; for dying Jacob had, by the spirit of prophecy,
entailed the dominion upon Judah. Judah is the tribe that must <I>rule
as a lion; Benjamin</I> shall only <I>ravin as a wolf,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+49:10,27">Gen. xlix. 10, 27</A>.
Those therefore that knew the scriptures could not be very fond of the
doing of that which they foresaw must, ere long, be undone again.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. It is with much ado, and not without further enquiries of the
Lord, that Saul is at length produced. When the lot fell upon him,
every one expected he should answer to his name at the first call, but,
instead of that, none of his friends could find him
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
he had <I>hidden himself among the stuff</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
so little fond was he now of that power which yet, when he was in
possession of, he could not without the utmost indignation think of
parting with.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. He withdrew, in hopes that, upon his not appearing, they would
proceed to another choice, or thus to express his modesty; for, by what
had already passed, he knew he must be the man. We may suppose he was
at this time really averse to take upon him the government,
(1.) Because he was conscious to himself of unfitness for so great a
trust. He had not been bred up to books, or arms, or courts, and
feared he should be guilty of some fatal blunder.
(2.) Because it would expose him to the envy of his neighbours that
were ill-affected towards him.
(3.) Because he understood, by what Samuel had said, that the people
sinned in asking a king, and it was in anger that God granted their
request.
(4.) Because the affairs of Israel were at this time in a bad posture;
the Philistines were strong, the Ammonites threatening: and he must be
bold indeed that will set sail in a storm.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. But the congregation, believing that choice well made which God
himself made, would leave no way untried to find him out on whom the
lot fell. <I>They enquired of the Lord,</I> either by the high priest,
and his breast-plate of judgment, or by Samuel, and his spirit of
prophecy; and the Lord directed them where they should find him, hidden
among the carriages, and thence <I>they fetched him,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
Note, None will be losers at last by their humility and modesty.
Honour, like the shadow, follows those that flee from it, but flees
from those that pursue it.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. Samuel presents him to the people, and they accept him. He needed
not to mount the bench, or scaffold, to be seen; when he stood upon
even ground with the rest he was seen above them all, for he was taller
than any of them by <I>head and shoulders, </I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
"Look you," said Samuel, "what a king God has chosen for you, just such
a one as you wished for; <I>there is none like him among all the
people,</I> that has so much majesty in his countenance and such a
graceful stateliness in his mien; he is in the crowd like a cedar among
the shrubs. Let your own eyes be judges, is he not a brave and gallant
man?" The people hereupon signified their approbation of the choice,
and their acceptance of him; they <I>shouted and said, Let the king
live,</I> that is, "Let him long reign over us in health and
prosperity." Subjects were wont to testify their affection and
allegiance to their prince by their good wishes, and those turned (as
our translation does this) into addresses to God.
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:15">Ps. lxxii. 15</A>,
<I>Prayer shall be made for him continually.</I> See
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+20:1">Ps. xx. 1</A>.
Samuel had told them they would soon be weary of their king, but, in
the mind they are now in, they will never be so: <I>Let the king
live.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
V. Samuel settles the original contract between them, and leaves it
upon record,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
He had before told them <I>the manner of the king</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+8:11"><I>ch.</I> viii. 11</A>),
how he would abuse his power; now he tells them <I>the manner of the
kingdom,</I> or rather the law, or judgment, or constitution, of it,
what power the prince might challenge and the utmost of the property
the subject might claim. He fixed the land-marks between them, that
neither might encroach upon the other. Let them rightly understand one
another at first, and let the agreement remain in black and white,
which will tend to preserve a good understanding between them ever
after. The learned bishop Patrick thinks he now repeated and registered
what he had told them
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+8:11"><I>ch.</I> viii. 11</A>)
of the arbitrary power their kings would assume, that it might
hereafter be a witness against them that they had drawn the calamity
upon themselves, for they were warned what it would come to and yet
they would have a king.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
VI. The convention was dissolved when the solemnity was over: <I>Samuel
sent every man to his house.</I> Here were no votes passed, nor, for
aught that appears, so much as a motion made, for the raising of money
to support the dignity of their new-elected king; if therefore he
afterwards thinks fit to take what they do not think fit to give (which
yet it was necessary that he should have), they must thank themselves.
They went every man to his house, pleased with the name of a king over
them, and <I>Saul also went home to Gibeah,</I> to his father's house,
not puffed up with the name of a kingdom under him. At Gibeah he had no
palace, no throne, no court, yet thither he goes. If he must be a king,
as one mindful of the rock out of which he was hewn, he will make his
own city the royal city, nor will he be ashamed (as too many are when
they are preferred) of his mean relations. Such a humble spirit as this
puts a beauty and lustre upon great advancements. The condition rising,
and the mind not rising with it, behold how good and pleasant it is!
But,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. How did the people stand affected to their new king? The generality
of them, it should seem, did not show themselves much concerned: They
<I>went every man to his own house.</I> Their own domestic affairs lay
nearer their hearts than any interests of the public; this was the
general temper. But,
(1.) There were some so faithful as to attend him: <I>A band of men
whose hearts God had touched,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
Not the body of the people, but a small company, who because they were
fond of their own choice of a king, or because they had so much more
sense than their neighbours as to conclude that if he was a king he
ought to be respected accordingly, went with him to Gibeah, as his
life-guard. They were those <I>whose hearts God had touched,</I> in
this instance, to do their duty. Note, Whatever good there is in us, or
is done by us, at any time, it must be ascribed to the grace of God. If
the heart bend at any time the right way, it is because he has touched
it. One touch is enough, when it is divine.
(2.) There were others so spiteful as to affront him; children of
Belial, men that would endure no yoke, that would be pleased with
nothing that either God or Samuel did; they <I>despised him</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>)
for the meanness of his tribe and family, the smallness of his estate,
and the privacy of his education; and they said, <I>How shall this man
save us?</I> Yet they did not propose any man more likely; nor,
whomsoever they had, must their salvation come from the man, but from
God. They would not join with their neighbours in testifying an
affection to him and his government, by bringing him presents, or
addressing him upon his accession to the crown. Perhaps those
discontented spirits were most earnest for a king, and yet, now that
they had one, they quarrelled with him, because he was not altogether
such a one as themselves. It was reason enough for them not to like him
because others did. Thus differently are men affected to our exalted
Redeemer. God hath set him king upon the holy hill of Sion. There is a
remnant that submit to him, rejoice in him, bring him presents, and
follow him wherever he goes; and they are those <I>whose hearts God has
touched,</I> whom he has <I>made willing in the day of his power.</I>
But there are others who despise him, who ask, <I>How shall this man
save us?</I> They are offended in him, stumble at his external
meanness, and they will be broken by it.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. How did Saul resent the bad conduct of those that were disaffected
to his government? <I>He held his peace.</I> Margin, <I>He was as
though he had been deaf.</I> He was so far from resenting it that he
seemed not to take notice of it, which was an evidence of his humility
and modesty, and the mercifulness of his disposition, and also that he
was well satisfied with his title to the crown; for those are commonly
most jealous of their honour, and most revengeful of affronts, that
gain their power by improper means. Christ held his peace when he was
affronted, for it was the day of his patience; but there is a day of
recompence coming.</P>
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