1 Samuel 10:1-10
10:1 a Samuel later repeated this process by anointing David with olive oil (16:13 b).• The people of Israel did not belong to the king but to the Lord. The king was to act as manager rather than owner (cp. 8:10-18 c).
Summary for 1Sam 10:2-6: 10:2-6 d These three “signs” were to convince a reluctant Saul (9:21 e) that he had in fact been chosen to be king. 10:2 f Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah: See Gen 35:16-20 g; the precise location is unknown.
10:3 h oak of Tabor: This location, somewhere in Benjamin, is not to be confused with the village of the same name in Zebulun (1 Chr 6:77 i).
• Bethel: See study note on 1 Sam 7:16.
10:5 j Gibeah of God, Saul’s hometown (10:26 k), had been a lawless city (Judg 19–21 l). Nowhere else is it described as being “of God.” This description might point to God’s ownership of the town despite the occupation of the Philistines.
• band: Prophets often lived in groups (e.g., 2 Kgs 2:3 m).
• harp ... lyre: Ancient prophets sometimes used musical instruments to stimulate and accompany prophesying (e.g., 2 Kgs 3:15 n).
10:6 o prophesy: Cp. 2 Sam 23:2 p; Acts 2:29-31 q.
• different person: Saul would become a spiritual and charismatic national leader (cp. 1 Sam 16:14 r).
10:7 s for God is with you: God’s presence empowered Saul to carry out his responsibilities.
10:8 t Gilgal: See study note on 7:16.
• wait for seven days: Saul apparently fulfilled this instruction in 11:14-15 u (cp. 13:8 v).
10:9 w a new heart: God gave Saul courage and strength, helping him overcome his hesitancy and enabling him to be king (10:6 x).
10:10 y the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul: See thematic note for The Spirit’s Presence at end of chapter; see also 11:6 z; Judg 14:6 aa, 19 ab; 15:14 ac; cp. Acts 2:17-18 ad, 39 ae).
• When Saul ... began to prophesy, it was a clear sign that he had been chosen to lead Israel (see also 1 Sam 19:18-23 af).
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