1 Samuel 10:1

CHAPTER X

Samuel anoints Saul captain of the Lord's inheritance, 1.

Instructs him concerning his return home, whom he should meet,

and what he should do, 2-8.

Saul meets a company of prophets, the Spirit of the Lord comes

on him, and he prophesies among them, 9-13.

He meets his uncle, and converses with him, 14-16.

Samuel calls the people together to Mizpeh, and upbraids them

for having rejected the Lord as their king, 17-19.

Lots are cast to find out the person proper to be appointed

king; Saul is chosen, 20-24.

Samuel shows the manner of the king, and writes it in a book,

25.

Saul goes to Gibeah; and certain persons refuse to acknowledge

him as king, 26, 27.

NOTES ON CHAP. X

Verse 1 Samuel 10:1. Took a vial of oil] The reasons of this rite the reader will find largely stated in Clarke's note on "Exodus 29:7". The anointing mentioned here took place in the open field. See the preceding chapter, 1 Samuel 9:26-9. How simple was the ancient ceremony of consecrating a king! A prophet or priest poured oil upon his head, and kissed him; and said, Thus the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance. This was the whole of the ceremony. Even in this anointing, Saul is not acknowledged as king, but simply נגיד nagpid, a captain - one who goes before and leads the people.