1 Samuel 10 24

1 Samuel 10:24 kjv

And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

1 Samuel 10:24 nkjv

And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?" So all the people shouted and said, "Long live the king!"

1 Samuel 10:24 niv

Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people." Then the people shouted, "Long live the king!"

1 Samuel 10:24 esv

And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? There is none like him among all the people." And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"

1 Samuel 10:24 nlt

Then Samuel said to all the people, "This is the man the LORD has chosen as your king. No one in all Israel is like him!" And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"

1 Samuel 10 verses

1 Samuel 10 24 Meaning

This verse chronicles the momentous occasion when Samuel, as God's prophet, publicly presented Saul to the assembled Israelites at Mizpah as their first king. Samuel directs the people's attention to Saul, underscoring that his appointment is not based on human selection but is specifically orchestrated by the LORD. He highlights Saul's unparalleled physical stature among the populace, a clear sign to the eye that this was indeed God's unique choice for leadership at that time. The nation's resounding shout, "Long live the king!", signifies their unanimous and enthusiastic acceptance of Saul, their loyalty, and their earnest prayer for the longevity and prosperity of his reign.

1 Samuel 10 24 Context

The selection of Saul as king occurs within a significant period of transition in Israel's history, moving from the charismatic leadership of judges to a formalized monarchy. The nation, having witnessed unstable periods and threats from surrounding nations like the Philistines, demanded a king "like all the nations" (1 Sam 8:5). This request, viewed by God as a rejection of His direct rule through Samuel (1 Sam 8:7), was nevertheless granted by God's sovereign will, allowing Samuel to anoint Saul privately beforehand (1 Sam 9:16-17; 10:1). Saul also experienced a divine transformation, symbolized by receiving a new heart and prophesying (1 Sam 10:9-13), preparing him for his role.

Verse 24 is part of the public ceremony at Mizpah, where the king was to be officially chosen by lot and presented to the people. Despite his private anointing and God's clear intention, Saul initially hid himself (1 Sam 10:22), indicating either humility or reluctance. Upon being discovered and brought forth, his towering stature was undeniable, making him physically conspicuous amongst all the people (1 Sam 9:2). Samuel's public declaration confirms that this striking figure is the very one whom the LORD Himself has chosen, thereby legitimizing Saul's kingship before the entire nation and ushering in a new era for Israel.

1 Samuel 10 24 Word analysis

• And Samuel said to all the people:

  • Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל - Shemu'el): A pivotal figure, the last judge and a respected prophet. His role in declaring God's choice gives the event immense prophetic and divine authority, transitioning Israel from the era of judges to kings.
  • Said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): Signifies a formal, declarative announcement, appropriate for a divinely ordained pronouncement.
  • All the people: Emphasizes the public nature and widespread witness to the event, validating the king's authority to the entire nation.

• "Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen?"

  • Do you see him: A rhetorical question designed to direct immediate public attention to Saul's presence, highlighting his visible qualities, especially his imposing stature.
  • the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing that this selection is by divine will, not by human preference or tribal lot alone. It stresses God's ultimate sovereignty.
  • chosen (בָּחַר - bakhar): To select, elect, or prefer. This term signifies divine initiative and pre-ordained selection, a core concept in God's dealings with His people and their leaders. It affirms that despite Israel's desire for a king, God remained sovereign over the choice.

• "For there is none like him among all the people."

  • none like him (אֵין כָּמֹהוּ - ein kamohu): This primarily refers to Saul's physical appearance, specifically his towering height and striking handsomeness, as mentioned in 1 Sam 9:2. He literally stood head and shoulders above everyone else. While an outward observation, in Samuel's declaration, it becomes a testament to Saul's divine suitability and unique preparedness for the role, reflecting popular desire for a formidable leader, even though God's ultimate choice in leadership later diverged from reliance on outward appearance (1 Sam 16:7).

• So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!”

  • all the people shouted: Demonstrates a spontaneous, collective, and overwhelming outburst of acceptance and joyous acclamation, validating Saul's public legitimacy.
  • "Long live the king!" (יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ - yechi ha-melech): A traditional acclamation of allegiance and loyalty in ancient monarchies.
    • "Long live" (yechi): Literally "May he live!" or "Let him live!" It functions as both a declaration of allegiance and a fervent prayer or wish for a prosperous, stable, and enduring reign. It conveys national consent and a hopeful embrace of the new monarchical era.
    • "the king" (ha-melech): Refers directly to Saul as the now-acknowledged and fully inaugurated sovereign ruler of Israel.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "whom the LORD has chosen": This phrase underlines the essential principle of God's sovereignty over leadership, regardless of human desires or the method of selection (e.g., lot). It establishes the divine mandate behind Saul's reign, contrasting it with kings chosen solely by human power.
  • "For there is none like him among all the people": This emphasizes Saul's distinctiveness. While initially understood physically (height and appearance), it signifies his unique commissioning for this pivotal inaugural kingship, even as it subtly foreshadows that physical or external "greatness" alone is not the ultimate criterion for enduring divine favor in leadership (e.g., David's selection).
  • "Long live the king!": This collective acclamation captures the nation's unified excitement, loyalty, and their hope for stability and effective leadership under a divinely appointed king. It embodies their fervent desire for the institution of kingship to bring enduring blessings.

1 Samuel 10 24 Bonus section

The institution of monarchy in Israel, though initially a departure from God's direct rule, highlights His gracious accommodation of His people's request while maintaining ultimate sovereignty. This scene at Mizpah, with Samuel presenting Saul, provides an inaugural template for royal inaugurations in Israel, setting a precedent for future coronations. While Saul was God's chosen for the first king, his story ultimately serves as a stark lesson on the importance of obedience over outward appearance and initial popular acclaim. The longing for "Long live the king!" would eventually find its perfect fulfillment not in an earthly monarch but in the everlasting reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the ultimate King whom the LORD truly chose and in whom there is truly "none like Him."

1 Samuel 10 24 Commentary

1 Samuel 10:24 marks a pivotal moment in Israelite history, where the divinely selected monarch is publicly unveiled. Samuel's powerful rhetoric underscores that Saul's appointment is primarily God's sovereign choice, despite the nation's initial human-driven desire for a king. Saul's impressive stature served as a visual confirmation to the people of God's seemingly perfect selection, aligning with their expectation for a physically commanding leader. The immediate and thunderous acclamation from the populace, "Long live the king!", signifies their full acceptance and hopeful allegiance to their new ruler. This verse brilliantly encapsulates the fusion of divine appointment and popular assent that inaugurated Israel's monarchy, a moment filled with both divine blessing and the seeds of future human failure.