1 Samuel 10:1-16
A King Receives the Anointing
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1Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?
2When you leave me today, you will find two men at Rachel’s tomb in Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you seek have been found, and now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and started worrying about you, asking, “What should I do about my son?”’
3Then you will go on from there until you come to the Oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.
4They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from their hands.
5After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.
6Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.
7When these signs have come, do as the occasion demands, for God is with you.
8And you shall go before me to Gilgal, and surely I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do.”
9As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all the signs came to pass that day.
10When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them.
11When all those who had formerly known Saul saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
12Then a man who lived there replied, “And who is their father?” So the saying became a proverb: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
13And when Saul had finished prophesying, he went up to the high place.
14Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where did you go?” “To look for the donkeys,” Saul replied. “When we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”
15“Tell me,” Saul’s uncle asked, “what did Samuel say to you?”
16And Saul replied, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But Saul did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Samuel takes a flask of oil, pours it on Saul's head, kisses him, and tells him that the LORD has anointed him ruler over His inheritance. The calling begins privately, with a sign of honor and a word about God's people, not with Saul claiming the position for himself.
Samuel then gives Saul a series of signs. Saul will meet men who say the donkeys have been found and that his father is now worried about him. He will meet three men going up to God at Bethel, receive two loaves of bread from them, and meet prophets coming down from the high place with music. The signs join ordinary concerns, hospitality, worship, and the work of the Spirit.
Samuel says the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon Saul, he will prophesy, and he will be transformed into a different person. He also tells Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal until Samuel comes and shows him what to do. Transformation is joined to obedience and patience; a new calling does not make waiting unnecessary.
As Saul turns to leave, God changes his heart, and all the signs come to pass that day. At Gibeah, the Spirit of God rushes upon him and he prophesies with the prophets. People who knew Saul ask what has happened to him, and the question becomes a proverb.
When Saul's uncle asks where he went, Saul tells him about the donkeys and Samuel, but he does not tell him what Samuel said about the kingship. Saul has received a real calling, yet he does not announce everything he knows. The scene leaves room for a new responsibility to be carried quietly before it is made public.
Questions
1 What does Samuel’s anointing tell Saul about his new role?
AnswerSamuel pours oil on his head and declares that the LORD has anointed him ruler over His inheritance. Israel belongs to God, and Saul’s authority is received from Him.
2 What happens as Saul leaves Samuel and later meets the prophets?
AnswerGod changes his heart as he turns to leave. At Gibeah the Spirit of God rushes upon him, and he prophesies with the prophets, just as Samuel said.
3 What instruction does Samuel give about Gilgal?
AnswerSaul is to wait seven days until Samuel comes to offer sacrifices and show him what to do. The signs of God’s help do not cancel this instruction.
4 What does Saul tell his uncle, and what does he leave out?
AnswerHe reports their visit to Samuel and the news that the donkeys were found. He does not tell his uncle what Samuel said about the kingship.
What This Means for Us
Saul's anointing is a gift of responsibility, not proof that he is now beyond correction. The signs teach him that God is directing the calling, while the command to wait teaches him that leadership still requires restraint. A household can honor a new gift without rushing to make it public or treating it as permission to control others.
When someone receives new responsibility, ask what preparation, patience, and accountability should accompany it. Celebrate God's work without making a person's role their whole identity. Make room for quiet obedience before public recognition.
Prayer
Lord, give us humility when You entrust us with responsibility. Teach us to receive encouragement without demanding attention, to wait when You say wait, and to welcome wise guidance. Shape our household's gifts into service rather than self-importance. Amen.
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