1 Samuel 10 1

1 Samuel 10:1 kjv

Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

1 Samuel 10:1 nkjv

Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: "Is it not because the LORD has anointed you commander over His inheritance?

1 Samuel 10:1 niv

Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over his inheritance?

1 Samuel 10:1 esv

Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, "Has not the LORD anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the LORD has anointed you to be prince over his heritage.

1 Samuel 10:1 nlt

Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul's head. He kissed Saul and said, "I am doing this because the LORD has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession.

1 Samuel 10 verses

1 Samuel 10 1 Meaning

1 Samuel 10:1 describes the sacred act where the prophet Samuel, as God's representative, anoints Saul with oil. This act symbolizes God's direct designation and consecration of Saul as the first king over Israel. Following the anointing, Samuel confirms God's choice with a kiss and a prophetic declaration, stating that the LORD Himself has appointed Saul to be the "ruler" (nagid) over "His inheritance," which is the nation of Israel. This private ritual officially establishes Saul's divinely sanctioned authority, inaugurating the monarchy in Israel, though highlighting its ultimate dependence on God's sovereignty.

1 Samuel 10 1 Context

1 Samuel chapter 10 follows Israel's insistence on having a human king, a desire rooted in their rejection of God's direct rule through Samuel and a yearning to emulate surrounding nations (1 Sam 8:7). Despite Samuel's solemn warnings, the LORD assents to their demand, promising to provide a king (1 Sam 8:22, 9:16). Saul, a humble Benjaminite from a seemingly insignificant family, is chosen by God and brought providentially to Samuel (1 Sam 9). This verse describes the secretive, personal anointing of Saul by Samuel, serving as a divinely orchestrated inauguration before his public presentation and affirmation as king to the entire nation at Mizpah (1 Sam 10:17-27). This intimate anointing underscored that while Israel desired a king, the true authority and legitimacy of the monarchy originated solely from God's sovereign choice, not human will.

1 Samuel 10 1 Word analysis

• Then Samuel took: Indicates the commencement of a deliberate, authoritative action by the last of the Judges, acting under divine instruction.
• a flask of oil: Hebrew: pakh shemen (פַּךְ שֶׁמֶן). A pakh refers to a small, typically earthenware, container, signifying the intimate and somewhat private nature of this initial anointing. Shemen (oil), specifically olive oil, was a crucial element in ancient Near Eastern rituals, representing consecration, holiness, and the impartation of divine presence or blessing, often leading to spiritual empowerment.
• and poured it: Hebrew: wayyiṣoq (וַיִּצֹק). This verb for "poured" suggests a generous, complete application, symbolizing a full, overwhelming setting apart for divine service, beyond a mere smearing.
• on Saul's head: The head, as the seat of consciousness and authority, was the customary point of anointing for priests, kings, and prophets. This physical act publicly identified Saul as divinely designated for the supreme office in Israel.
• and kissed him: Hebrew: wayyishshāqēhū (וַיִּשַּׁקֵהוּ). The kiss served multiple purposes: it was a gesture of respect, affection, allegiance, and loyalty, symbolizing Samuel's full affirmation of Saul's God-given authority and potentially a seal of a covenantal agreement.
• and said, "Is it not that...": This rhetorical question emphatically confirms the divine origin of the event, asserting the undisputed truth that Saul's appointment came directly from God. It serves to remove any doubt about the source of Saul's future authority.
• the LORD: Hebrew: Yahweh (יְהֹוָה). The covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and His active involvement in establishing Israel's first monarchy, linking the act directly to His divine will and covenant faithfulness.
• has anointed you: Hebrew: mashach (מָשַׁח). This is the root verb meaning "to smear" or "to consecrate by anointing." It signifies divine appointment and equipment for a sacred office. This is the very word from which the title "Messiah" (Mashiach in Hebrew) or "Christ" (Christos in Greek) derives, meaning "Anointed One."
• ruler: Hebrew: nagid (נָגִיד). This term means "prince," "leader," or "commander." It is significant as it emphasizes divine selection and appointment rather than hereditary succession (like melech, "king," which eventually replaced nagid). It highlights that Saul's authority originated solely from God's choice.
• over his inheritance?: Hebrew: nachalato (נַחֲלָתוֹ). "His inheritance" refers specifically to the nation of Israel (Deut 4:20, 32:9). This critical phrase underscores that Saul is king over God's people, who remain God's treasured possession, not the king's private property. It sets an immediate boundary on the king's authority, reminding him and Israel that the ultimate sovereign ruler over the nation is Yahweh.

1 Samuel 10 1 Bonus section

• The use of a pakh (small flask) for Saul's anointing is sometimes contrasted with the qeren (horn) used for David's anointing in 1 Sam 16:13. The qeren (horn), being a more robust and larger vessel, symbolically suggested a more permanent and abundant anointing for David's dynasty, unlike the more conditional nature of Saul's initial reign.
• This anointing event, though crucial, was private and immediate. The public confirmation of Saul as king happened later by lot at Mizpah (1 Sam 10:17-27), illustrating a multi-stage process of divine selection, prophetic endorsement, and communal affirmation.
• The concept of "God's inheritance" highlights Israel's unique relationship with the LORD. They are His prized possession, His chosen people, which meant the king's primary duty was to shepherd and protect them on God's behalf, ensuring faithfulness to the covenant, rather than ruling arbitrarily for personal gain.
• The sudden rush of the Spirit upon Saul, mentioned shortly after in 1 Sam 10:6, is a direct result of this anointing, providing tangible proof of God's enablement for his new leadership role. This connection between anointing and the Spirit's presence becomes a consistent theme in Israelite history.

1 Samuel 10 1 Commentary

1 Samuel 10:1 provides the foundational theological understanding of Israel's monarchy, establishing it as a divine institution despite its human origins in Israel's demanding hearts. Samuel's pouring of oil, an ancient symbol of divine election and spiritual enablement, clearly communicated that Saul's kingship was a sacred office, not merely a political position. The kiss served as a prophetic endorsement and personal commitment, binding prophet and king under God's will. The explicit declaration that "the LORD has anointed" Saul and set him "ruler over His inheritance" unequivocally declares God as the ultimate sovereign, reminding the new king that he is merely a steward of God's chosen people, accountable to divine law. This initial anointing also prefigures the ultimate "Anointed One," Jesus Christ, whose anointing was not of oil but by the Holy Spirit for an eternal kingdom.