Here’s…The King?

Saul is Anointed (v.1-16)

Interpretation:

Saul’s anointing ceremony appears to be a private one. It comes on the heels of Saul’s companion being sent ahead. Anointing was often used to set a person apart for a specific task, and Saul’s task is twofold: a) to “reign over the people of the Lord,” and b) to “save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies.”

To validate this appointment, Samuel provides Saul with a list of prophetic signs. First, Saul will meet two men by Rachel’s tomb who will inform him that the lost donkeys have been found and that Saul’s father is now concerned about his son. Second, he will encounter three men by the oak of Tabor carrying three loaves of bread and a skin of wine. They will give Saul two of the loaves. Third, he will come across a group of prophets in Gibeath-elohim, and the Spirit of God will come upon him, changing him and causing him to prophesy with them. After these signs occur, Saul must wait for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices.

These signs may be more than mere confirmation. The first—concerning the donkeys—could symbolize that God would attend to the everyday matters of life while Saul turned to the deeper task at hand. The second sign, involving the loaves of bread, points to Saul’s divine appointment. The men were on their way to meet God at Bethel, and the act of giving Saul two loaves—part of a sacrificial meal—appears to acknowledge his new role. The third sign provides the clearest evidence of God’s calling: the Spirit of God would come upon Saul, empowering him for the task.

In 1 Samuel, the phrase “the Spirit of the Lord” is used specifically in connection with God’s anointed—Saul and David. The Spirit “rushing upon” someone occurs only in Judges and 1 Samuel, and it speaks of God's sudden empowerment of individuals to serve His people. In Saul’s case, this empowerment is foretold, but it is not something Saul initiates—it happens solely by God’s grace. As Saul turns to leave Samuel, “God gave him another heart.”

Samuel tells Saul, “Do what your hand finds to do” (v.7). The CSB translates this as, “Do whatever your circumstances require.” This, combined with Saul’s new heart, implies that as the signs came to pass, Saul would know how to lead.

The private anointing by Samuel in verse 1 is validated when God sends His Spirit upon Saul. This moment underscores the difference between the Spirit’s work in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon individuals temporarily to empower them for specific roles. In contrast, in the New Testament, the Spirit indwells believers permanently, sealing them and empowering them to live for Christ’s glory. This distinction is especially important in light of Saul’s story. Though the Spirit comes upon him, the change will not last—Saul later loses the Spirit in chapters 16 and 18. David, aware of this possibility, pleads in Psalm 51, “Take not your Holy Spirit from me.”

Samuel had told Saul that he would be changed “into another man” (v.6), and this is fulfilled. Saul’s transformation is so evident that people who had known him before ask, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” This question does not imply that Saul had joined their ranks permanently; rather, it is a visible sign of his divine empowerment for the role of king.

The curious question about who the prophets’ “father” is likely reflects confusion about prophetic leadership. Some may have believed no credible leader would have permitted Saul among the prophets. Others may have wondered if Saul had become their new leader. Still others may have viewed prophets as madmen, making Saul’s presence among them suspect.

Later, Saul speaks with his uncle—possibly Abner or Abner’s father, Ner. It’s unclear why Saul withholds information about the kingdom, but it may be that he anticipated skepticism or rejection from his own family. This aligns with Jesus’ words: “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household” (Mark 6:4). Yet, when Samuel’s name is mentioned, Saul’s uncle responds, indicating Samuel’s growing influence. God may be establishing a pattern here—a two-stage affirmation seen again in David’s life: first, a private anointing, followed later by public confirmation.

Application:

God assures us when we need it. He gave Saul specific and unique signs that validated his anointing. The last sign was Saul being overcome by the Spirit of God. But, Saul isn’t operating outside of the Word of God. After all, everything that happens, even the empowering of the Spirit, is still done within the confines of the Word of God as delivered by Samuel, the man of God. So, we understand that the more we desire to be empowered and used by God, by His Spirit, the more we are going to need to align our lives with His Word, because God’s Spirit will not work in opposition to God’s Word, and vice versa.

God empowers us to achieve it. There is this unique proverbial saying that arises out of Saul’s transformation, found in 1 Samuel 10:11–12 “And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” And a man of the place answered, “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”” The people were amazed at what Saul had become because, quite frankly, who would’ve thought it would be Saul?! But then again, YHWH often defies logic, using the ordinary and unexpected things of the world in extraordinary ways.

Saul is Proclaimed (v.17-27)

Interpretation:

When Samuel speaks, he quotes God directly. In verse 18, YHWH reminds the people that He had miraculously delivered them through the Exodus. Then, in verse 19, Samuel interjects to underscore the gravity of their request: the people have “rejected” the very God who “saves” them “from all…calamities and…distresses,” preferring instead a human “king” to rule over them. It is one thing for God to provide a king; it is another for the people to demand a king in place of God Himself.

Since the people insisted, Samuel calls them to “present” themselves “before the Lord” so that their new leader could be revealed. The method used is the casting of lots, a practice already established in Israel’s history. Joshua used lots to expose Achan’s sin (Josh. 7:14–18), and they were also used to divide the land (Josh. 14:2; 18:1–19:51; 21:1–45).

Casting lots was a common Old Testament practice, though it appears less frequently in the New Testament and disappears after the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Proverbs 16:33 affirms that “the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord,” which reflected the belief that lots revealed God’s will when no specific command existed. Casting lots had the advantage of removing partiality, though no specific method is detailed in Scripture.

Even though God had already given signs to Saul confirming his calling, and validated His choice again through the casting of lots, Saul is found hiding among the baggage. Has fear gripped him? Does he lack the courage that his appearance suggests? Whatever the reason, Israel’s first king is not off to a promising start.

Why had Saul hidden? Perhaps he feared his calling. He had already withheld God’s word from his uncle, and now he seems reluctant to embrace his role publicly. His hesitation may foreshadow a deeper pattern—his struggle to fully take up the responsibilities of a godly leader.

When Saul does step forward, his physically imposing stature is once again emphasized. He is revealed as the people’s king—chosen by God, presented by Samuel, and accepted by the people with the cry, “Long live the king!” This moment affirms that God has provided exactly what the people asked for, a point Samuel will return to in chapter 12.

Samuel then relays the legal agreement between the king and the people. He writes it down—likely with witnesses—and lays it “before the Lord,” probably placing it in or near the ark of the covenant. This action acknowledged God’s oversight and His ultimate authority, serving as a reminder that Israel’s kings were always to rule under the kingship of YHWH.

The “men of valor whose hearts God had touched” represent the beginning of God’s provision for Saul as he prepares to fulfill his mission—delivering Israel from the Philistines.

Yet, not all respond in faith. Some “worthless fellows” reject Saul, refusing to offer the customary goodwill gift, a clear sign of disrespect. Though Saul chooses to ignore their criticism, others remember their defiance (see 11:12). In multiple ways, God has affirmed Saul’s kingship—through signs, through the casting of lots, and through the Spirit’s empowering. Still, there are some who refuse to accept or submit to God's will.

Application:

In the end, God affirms Saul publicly and even begins laying forth the preparations for him to accomplish what he was called to do.

WRAP-UP

We need to understand the overall narrative here. Notice that God both calls and affirms Saul. He’s anointed by Samuel, set apart for God’s purposes. And, God has given signs to Saul that should absolutely silence any objections about His choice of Saul. The last one, the Spirit of God empowering Saul to prophesy, should be the climax of the story, or so we would think, but that doesn’t actually take place until Saul meets his uncle and is then publicly affirmed. What should be the high point actually proves quite the opposite: Saul hides from his calling. Still, God proves Himself to be at work. Saul is proclaimed king and returns home with some men of valor, showing that a.) God’s will is going to be done, and b.) God is still at work, despite Saul’s reluctance.

Here’s what this passage does for us…it presents us with the balance of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. At the end of the day, God’s will will not be thwarted. (Job 23:13 “But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.”) Still, man is left with the responsibility to freely offer himself in obedience to God (Hebrews 4:7 “…“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”” and Joshua 24:15 “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.””) There is the holy tension that keeps us upright and ongoing in the faith: God’s sovereignty working in connection with our responsibility.

So what does this mean for us? God has a call on each and every believer’s life.

He calls you to faith (2 Pet.3:9).

He calls you to grow (1 Thes.4:3; 5:18; 1 Pet.2:15).

He calls you to serve (1 Pet.4:10).

This passage calls us to embrace the reality that God both initiates and empowers His work in our lives, but He also expects our obedience and participation. Saul’s anointing, the confirming signs, and the rush of the Spirit all display God’s sovereign call and provision. Yet, Saul’s hesitation—his hiding among the baggage—reminds us that fear, insecurity, or self-doubt can keep us from stepping fully into what God has clearly called us to do.

Likewise, God has called each believer—to salvation, to sanctification, and to service. He may not confirm His call through prophetic signs or cast lots, but He speaks clearly through His Word and empowers us through His Spirit. Our role is not to wait for the perfect conditions or hide behind excuses but to trust the One who calls us and step forward in obedience. As with Saul, God may already be preparing people, places, and opportunities around us. The question is not whether God is at work—it’s whether we’ll respond in faith, offering ourselves fully to Him today.