1 Samuel 10:1

1 Forsooth Samuel took a vessel of oil, and he poured it out on the head of Saul, and kissed him, and said, Lo! the Lord hath anointed thee into prince on his heritage (Lo! the Lord anointeth thee to be the prince, or the ruler, over his people Israel);

1 Samuel 10:1 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 10:1

Then Samuel took a vial of oil
Out of his pocket very probably, which he brought along with him on purpose for the use he made of it: this, as the Jews ^F25 say, was not the anointing oil that was in the tabernacle, which was at another and distant place, and with which only the kings of the house of David were anointed; but common oil, or, as they say, oil of balsam; and this was not an horn, but a vial, which held a small quantity, and was brittle; and they observe that Saul and Jehu, who were anointed with a vial, their reigns were short, whereas David and Solomon, who were anointed with a horn, their reigns were long; and as oil is a symbol of the gifts and graces of the Spirit, it may denote a smaller measure conferred on Saul than on David and Solomon:

and kissed him;
congratulating him on the dignity he was raised to, and in reverence and respect to him, because of the high office he was arrived to; and as a token of subjection and homage, and to testify his well pleased in his being king, and that he readily, willingly, and with pleasure resigned the government to him:

and said, is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be
captain over his inheritance?
the people of Israel, so called, ( Deuteronomy 32:9 ) and which is observed here to show, that though Saul was anointed king over them, they were the Lord's possession still, and he was accountable to him for his government and usage of them, over whom he was to be a captain, leader, and commander, to go before them, and fight their battles for them, of which his being anointed with oil was a token; and therefore it is said, "is it not?" or dost thou not see by this? or knowest thou not, as R. Isaiah supplies it, that this is of the Lord? for it was the Lord that anointed him, or Samuel by his orders; and such questions as these, as Kimchi observes, are for the greater confirmation of what is spoken; and if Saul had any doubt upon his mind, as perhaps he might because of his meanness, and the high honour designed hereby, not only this question is put, but three following signs are given him, whereby he might be assured of the truth of it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 T. Bab. Horayot, fol. 11. 2. & 12. 1.

1 Samuel 10:1 In-Context

1 Forsooth Samuel took a vessel of oil, and he poured it out on the head of Saul, and kissed him, and said, Lo! the Lord hath anointed thee into prince on his heritage (Lo! the Lord anointeth thee to be the prince, or the ruler, over his people Israel);

2 when thou shalt go from me today, thou shalt find two men beside the sepulchre of Rachel, in the ends of Benjamin, in midday; and they shall say to thee, The female asses be found, which thou wentest to seek; and while the asses be left (off caring about), thy father is (now) busy for you, and saith, What shall I do of my son? (when thou shalt go away from me today, thou shalt find two men beside the sepulchre of Rachel, at Zelzah, in the territory of Benjamin; and they shall say to thee, The female donkeys, which thou wentest to seek, be found; and the female donkeys be no more cared about, but thy father is now concerned about you, and saith, What shall I do about my son?)

3 And when thou hast gone from thence, and hast passed (forth) further, and hast come to the oak of Tabor, three men, going up to God into Bethel (going up to Bethel to worship God), shall find thee there, one man bearing three kids, and another man bearing three cakes of bread, and another man bearing a gallon of wine.

4 And when they have greeted thee, they shall give to thee two loaves, and thou shalt take those of their hand (and thou shalt take their loaves).

5 After these things thou shalt come into the hill of the Lord, where is the standing place, that is, the forcelet, of Philistines; and when thou shalt enter into the city, there thou shalt have meeting thee a flock, or a company, of prophets, coming down from the high place, and a psaltery, and a tympan, and a pipe, and an harp before them, and them prophesying. (After these things thou shalt come to the Hill of the Lord, where the stronghold of the Philistines is; and when thou shalt enter into the city, there thou shalt meet a group of prophets, coming down from the hill shrine, with a lute, and a drum, and a pipe, and a harp going before them, and them prophesying.)