1 Samuel 10:17-25

17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah
18 and said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’
19 But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”
20 When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot.
21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found.
22 So they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”
23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others.
24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!”
25 Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the LORD. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes.

1 Samuel 10:17-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 10

In this chapter we read of Saul's being anointed king by Samuel, 1Sa 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, 1Sa 10:2-13, of his arrival at his father's house, and of what passed between him and his uncle there, 1Sa 10:14-16, 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, 1Sa 10:17-25, and of his return to his city, being respected by some, and despised by others, 1Sa 10:26,27.

Cross References 16

  • 1. Judges 20:1; S 1 Samuel 7:5
  • 2. S Exodus 1:14; S Numbers 10:9; Judges 6:8-9
  • 3. S Numbers 11:20; S Deuteronomy 33:5
  • 4. Psalms 7:10; Psalms 18:48; Psalms 68:20; Psalms 145:19
  • 5. S 1 Samuel 8:5-7; 1 Samuel 12:12
  • 6. S Deuteronomy 17:14
  • 7. Joshua 7:14; Joshua 24:1
  • 8. Esther 3:7; Proverbs 16:33
  • 9. S Genesis 25:22; S Judges 18:5; 1Sa 23:2,4,9-11
  • 10. 1 Samuel 9:2
  • 11. Deuteronomy 17:15; 2 Samuel 21:6
  • 12. 1 Samuel 9:2
  • 13. 1Ki 1:25,34,39; 2 Kings 11:12
  • 14. S 1 Samuel 8:9
  • 15. S Deuteronomy 17:14-20; S 1 Samuel 8:11-18; 2 Kings 11:12
  • 16. 1 Samuel 11:14
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