The Anointing of Saul #53

The anointing of Saul tells how Israel received its first king. Saul, a young Benjaminite, went out to look for his father’s lost donkeys and ended up meeting the prophet Samuel, who had been told by God to anoint him. The story in 1 Samuel 9 and 10 combines an ordinary errand, a private anointing and a public selection at Mizpah, and it shows a man who was chosen despite his own reluctance.

Biblical Account

Saul was the son of Kish, a wealthy Benjaminite, and was described as a handsome young man who stood head and shoulders above everyone else (1 Samuel 9:1-2). After searching in vain through the hill country for the donkeys, Saul was ready to turn back, but his servant suggested they consult a man of God in a nearby town. The LORD had told Samuel the day before that he would send a man from Benjamin whom Samuel should anoint as prince over Israel, and when Samuel saw Saul the LORD confirmed that this was the man (1 Samuel 9:3-17).

Samuel invited Saul to a sacrificial meal, seated him at the head of thirty guests, and gave him the portion of honor. Saul answered that he was from the smallest tribe and his clan the least of the tribe, so he could not understand the honor (1 Samuel 9:18-27). The next morning Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, declaring that the LORD had anointed him as ruler over His people. He then described three signs that would happen on Saul’s journey home. After they occurred, the Spirit of God came upon Saul and he prophesied with a group of prophets, prompting the saying, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” Saul told his uncle about the donkeys but kept quiet about the kingdom (1 Samuel 10:1-16).

Samuel then called the people to Mizpah, and the lot fell on the tribe of Benjamin, the clan of Matri, and finally Saul, who was found hiding among the baggage. When he stood, he was taller than all the people, and they shouted, “God save the king.” Samuel explained the rights and duties of kingship and wrote them in a book. Some worthless men despised Saul, but he said nothing (1 Samuel 10:17-27). After Saul’s victory over the Ammonites at Jabesh-gilead, Samuel took the people to Gilgal, where they renewed the kingdom (1 Samuel 11:12-15).

Theological Significance

The chapters portray kingship as something God gives, even as He had warned about its costs in the previous chapters. Saul is chosen through a process that stresses divine initiative, ordinary circumstances and his own humility. The anointing with oil sets him apart as the LORD’s anointed, the term from which the word messiah later developed. The narrative is also honest about ambiguity, since Saul’s early promise, his hiding among the baggage and his later failures are all part of the same story, which leads to the choice of David.