1Sa 10:1, 16:13, 1Ki 1:39 | JFB | STEP | 1. Then Samuel took a vial of oil —This was the ancient ( ) 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 ( ), which was meant to be only a prophetic intimation of the person attaining that high dignity—the more public and formal inauguration ( ) 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 ( ). 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 ( ).

1 Samuel 10:1

1. Then Samuel took a vial of oil—This was the ancient (Jud 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 (1Sa 16:13), which was meant to be only a prophetic intimation of the person attaining that high dignity—the more public and formal inauguration (2Sa 2:4; 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 (1Ki 1:39; 2Ki 11:12; 23:30; 2Ch 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 (Ps 2:12).

1 Samuel 16:13

13. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him—This transaction must have been strictly private.

1 Kings 1:39

39. an horn of oil out of the tabernacle—It was the sacred oil (Ex 30:25) with which the kings were anointed.