1 Samuel 10 — “When Oil Meets Spirit”
Samuel raises a small flask. In Hebrew he “māšaḥ”
(anoints) Saul, then kisses him. Oil in the ancient Near East marked a
sacred setting-apart—used for priests (Exodus 28:41), kings (2 Samuel
2:4), even temple furniture. A kiss sealed covenant loyalty. Archaeology
has uncovered alabaster and stone vessels for perfumed oil all across
Iron-Age Israel; this was not mere ceremony but costly devotion.
Cross-references: Psalm 89:20; Luke 4:18.
Reflection: Leadership in God’s kingdom always begins with consecration,
never with ambition.
• Rachel’s Tomb (v. 2). Saul will meet men who confirm the donkeys
are found. The tomb—just north of Bethlehem—reminds Benjamin’s son that
his tribe began beside Rachel’s tears (Genesis 35:16-20). God binds
yesterday’s sorrow to today’s calling.
• Bread and Wine (v. 4). Pilgrims headed to Bethel offer Saul two
loaves. In the culture of the ancient Near East, sharing food sealed
fellowship. God feeds the one He calls.
• Musical Prophets (vv. 5-6). A band of prophets descends from the “high
place” of Gibeah (modern Tell el-Ful). Lyre, tambourine, flute, and harp
fill the air. Music readied minds for the Spirit’s work—still true in
worship today.
Hebrew note: “the Spirit of the LORD will ṣālaḥ upon you” (rush, surge). The same verb describes Samson’s sudden strength (Judges 14:6). God’s Spirit is not drizzle but downpour.
“God gave him lêb ʾaḥēr—another heart.” The phrase
appears nowhere else in Scripture. Early church writers like Augustine
saw a seed of the New Covenant here (Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3).
Yet the text never says Saul receives a new heart permanently;
simply “another,” fitted for his moment. Gifts can be squandered (Psalm
51:11).
When the Spirit comes, Saul joins the ecstatic praise. Onlookers ask,
“Is Saul also among the prophets?”—a Hebrew idiom of surprise that will
echo later when David flees (19:24). God loves to upset neat categories:
farmer-prophets (Amos), fisherman-apostles (Peter), persecutor-preachers
(Paul).
Hymn suggestion: “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart” (George Croly, 1854). Sing the prayer of verse 4: “Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.”
Lots are cast at Mizpah, the same hill where Samuel raised an Ebenezer stone (our devotion of 9-26). Casting lots (Hebrew goral) let God be arbiter; fragments of clay lots have been found at sites like Khirbet Qeiyafa. Tribe, clan, family—then silence. Saul is missing. He hides in the “kelî” (supplies, baggage).
Martin Luther called this “the humility of beginnings”; Calvin called it “timidity born of unbelief.” Both are partly right. We can run from stage fright or from God. Only later, when the Spirit stirs again (11:6), will Saul step forward with courage.
Cross-references: Exodus 4:13; Jeremiah 1:6.
Samuel “wrote down the rights and duties of the kingship.” Many scholars see here the outworking of Deuteronomy 17:14-20—the king must keep a copy of the Torah, rule under God, not above Him. Power is fenced by Scripture. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4QSam) preserve the gist of this verse, stressing how early Israel linked throne and law.
Some rally to Saul—“valiant men whose hearts God had touched.” Others, literally “sons of bĕliyyaʿal” (worthless, lawless), sneer, “How can this man save us?” The monarchy is born with both loyalty and contempt. Christ’s kingdom suffers the same (John 1:11), yet marches on. Saul keeps silent; sometimes meekness is the strongest reply (1 Peter 2:23).
Augustine warned, “Saul received a kingdom but lost himself; better to lose a kingdom and find Christ.” Modern readers must ask: Are we more eager for outward crowns than inward change?
• Walter Brueggemann, First and Second Samuel, on prophetic
ecstasy and political power.
• John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 Samuel, for pastoral lessons
on hiddenness and humility.
Sovereign Lord,
You anoint with oil and overflow with Spirit.
Guard our hearts from hiding among baggage—
from fears, excuses, and the weight of self-doubt.
Give us another heart, soft and obedient,
and write Your charter upon it.
May we lead, serve, and speak only as Your Spirit rushes upon us.
Through Jesus, our true and humble King. Amen.