Commentary on 1 Samuel 10: God’s Signs and Saul’s Heart Change
1 Samuel 10 · King James Version
Quick Answer: This commentary on 1 samuel 10 shows God confirming Saul’s kingship through specific signs, culminating in the Spirit’s power that turns Saul into another man. The passage also highlights Israel’s refusal of God’s rule, Samuel’s solemn process of choosing the king, and Saul’s early challenges from skeptics—while God remains with his chosen leader.
1 Samuel 10 (King James Version)
“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?
When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?
Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:
And they will salute thee, and give thee two
loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.
After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where
is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:
And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee,
that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God
is with thee.
And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings,
and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.
And it was
so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What
is this
that is come unto the son of Kish?
Is
Saul also among the prophets?
And one of the same place answered and said, But who
is their father? Therefore it became a proverb,
Is Saul also among the prophets?
And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.
And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that
they were no where, we came to Samuel.
And Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.
And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.
And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;
And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms,
and of them that oppressed you:
And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him,
Nay,
but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.
And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.
Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.
And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
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.
Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote
it in a book, and laid
it
up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.
But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.”
In Israel’s monarchy transition, the nation moved from judgeship toward kingship. By the time of 1 Samuel 10, the cultural pressure for a “king like the nations” has already shaped the people’s expectations, even as God warns that rejecting Him undercuts true security. Samuel, the prophet and judge, acts as the mediator of divine guidance, not merely as a political organizer. His anointing of Saul is both a public-religious act and a covenantal statement: God, not popular acclaim, establishes leadership.
The passage also reflects ancient social realities. Saul begins by resolving a personal family matter—lost donkeys—yet the story quickly widens to national destiny. The journey includes recognizable locations and communal settings where public signals would be meaningful and verifiable. Additionally, the presence of prophetic groups “coming down” near worship sites shows that spiritual life was not confined to private moments; it was organized, audible, and communal. Against this backdrop, Saul’s “another heart” and prophetic activity are not entertainment but confirmation that God’s Spirit equips leadership.
Finally, the closing note about “Belial” and the refusal to bring presents reminds readers that not everyone welcomed Saul. The social tension in a new regime is real: some may celebrate outwardly, while others resist internally. Yet the chapter portrays God’s initiative as decisive for the king’s calling.
Original-language nuance: the Spirit’s “coming upon” Saul
While 1 Samuel 10 is written in Hebrew, the key emphasis here is the divine initiative described in terms of the Spirit “coming” upon Saul and then enabling him to prophesy. Hebrew often uses strong, event-based wording to describe God’s action as sudden, purposeful, and empowering rather than gradual or merely psychological. The idea is not that Saul invents religious speech, but that God’s Spirit equips him for a specific moment.
The phrase also carries relational weight: God’s Spirit is not treated like a general mood or talent. It functions as God’s presence for appointment and mission. That helps explain why the chapter says Saul is “turned into another man”—his role and capacity shift because God acts. Even the public reaction (“Is Saul also among the prophets?”) assumes that this transformation is distinctive and observable, not self-generated.
God’s anointing confirmed: signs that guide and strengthen faith
In this chapter, God’s selection of Saul is not left to speculation. Samuel’s private-to-public movement begins with anointing: he takes a vial of oil, pours it on Saul’s head, and identifies the reason—God’s appointment for kingship “over his inheritance.” This is more than ceremony; it clarifies that Saul’s authority comes from God’s choice.
Yet the passage emphasizes confirmation through signs. Samuel tells Saul that when he departs, he will find two men at Rachel’s sepulchre who will report that the donkeys are found and that his father is worried about his son. Then Saul will meet three men at the plain of Tabor with gifts for worship—three kids, three loaves, and a bottle of wine—and they will give him two loaves. Next, Saul will come to “the hill of God” where a company of prophets approaches with instruments, and the Spirit of the LORD will come upon him so he prophesies.
The structure is important: the signs cover everyday life, social interaction, and worship-space. That means the message is not only “you will be king,” but “God is with you in all your circumstances.” The donkeys are small, the worship gathering is public, and the Spirit’s arrival is unmistakably supernatural. In pastoral terms, this pattern addresses a human fear many new leaders have: “How do I know I’m not deceived?” God answers with a combination of reliability (what will happen), relevance (what Saul needs for the next step), and relationship (God’s presence).
Therefore, when Samuel says, “do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee,” the signs are not a magic trick. They train Saul to trust God’s presence in real time and to act without waiting for additional reassurance beyond what God has spoken.
From another heart to public recognition: Saul’s transformation
After Saul leaves Samuel, the text reports that God gives him “another heart,” and “all those signs came to pass that day.” The phrase “another heart” is significant: kingship is not presented as a mere title transfer but as a God-given internal shift. Saul is not simply instructed; he is changed.
At the hill of God, the Spirit of God comes upon him, and Saul prophesies among the prophets. The public response is immediate and revealing: people who knew Saul before ask, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” The chapter turns on this contrast—Saul’s prior identity and this new spiritual reality. This reaction functions like a spotlight for the reader: God’s work disrupts expectations. Saul’s transformation is visible enough to become a proverb.
This does not mean Saul becomes perfect or invulnerable in every respect. The text simply emphasizes that God’s Spirit is able to empower a person who might have been previously overlooked or underestimated. Leadership in Scripture often begins with an encounter: God’s call meets God’s power.
Following the prophetic episode, Saul’s movement returns to ordinary social questions. He and his servant explain that they were looking for the donkeys and found Samuel. Yet Samuel’s message included not only practical guidance but also an explanation of the kingdom’s deeper meaning: Israel rejected God by insisting on a king “over us” instead of living under divine kingship.
So Saul’s transformation has a national meaning, too. The people’s recognition of Saul is tied to their spiritual problem. The chapter exposes that God’s choice does not erase Israel’s original rejection, nor does it remove ongoing responsibility. Saul is chosen, but Israel must still face what it has done—rejecting God’s direct rule.
A kingdom process before the LORD: chosen by tribe, family, and God’s hidden guidance
Samuel does not crown Saul as though the process were primarily human. He calls the people together to the LORD at Mizpeh and speaks a solemn message: God brought Israel up from Egypt and delivered them from oppressors, yet they have rejected their God and demanded a king. This sets the chapter’s theological tone: kingship is not merely political; it is covenantal. The people’s request reveals their heart direction.
Then Samuel guides the nation through a structured selection process by tribes, families, and finally individuals. When the tribe of Benjamin is taken, and within it the family of Matri, Saul is found to be hidden “among the stuff.” The detail is striking: the king is chosen, but he must be retrieved. God’s answer is not simply, “here he is,” but “he has hid himself.”
In human terms, this moment highlights Saul’s humility or reluctance, or perhaps his unpreparedness for public scrutiny. Spiritually, it displays God’s sovereignty over outcomes. The system could have produced confusion, but God ensures that the chosen one is revealed at the right time.
When Saul finally stands among the people, he is described as being higher than any of the people from his shoulders upward. This physical note can reflect the people’s expectation of kingship—often tied to stature and presence. Still, the narrative’s emphasis remains: the reason Saul stands is that the LORD has chosen him. The people shout, “God save the king,” a brief moment of celebration that stands in tension with the earlier confession of Israel’s rejection of God.
The chapter also closes with a warning: Saul’s early leadership faces opposition from “the children of Belial,” who question his ability to save and refuse to bring presents. This underscores that God’s anointing does not automatically secure public support. Authentic leadership must be tested over time, and the hearts of skeptics reveal that the real battlefield is spiritual.
How to Apply This Today (or similar, natural)
God’s method in 1 Samuel 10 gives believers a pattern for discernment. First, look for confirmation that aligns with God’s character. Saul’s signs involve everyday reliability and worship-centered reality, not sensationalism. In your own decisions, ask: “Does this reflect God’s presence and direction?”
Second, expect God to change you as you follow. Saul’s “another heart” shows that calling and transformation belong together. You may not feel ready for the role you sense God assigning, but God can reshape your desires, courage, and sensitivity to His voice.
Third, remember that leadership—whether in church, family, or community—will face resistance. Some people in the chapter despised Saul and brought no presents. Don’t interpret opposition as proof that God’s call failed. Instead, respond with patience, integrity, and faithfulness.
Finally, the chapter begins with Israel rejecting God and ends with skeptics questioning the new king. Take that as a mirror: check whether your “solutions” replace trust in God. When challenges come, go back to the LORD, seek obedience, and practice worship before you demand results.
Related Bible Passages
1 Samuel 16:13
Saul’s story foreshadows later anointing themes where the Spirit empowers God’s chosen leader for His purposes.
Acts 1:8
The Spirit’s empowering presence in Saul’s prophetic moment parallels the promise of Spirit-enabled witness in the early church.
1 Samuel 12:12-15
Samuel later revisits Israel’s demand for a king, reinforcing the chapter’s message that rejecting God brings real spiritual consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main message in a study of 1 Samuel 10?
The chapter shows God confirming Saul’s kingship through concrete signs and then equipping him through the Spirit. It also exposes Israel’s deeper issue: they rejected God’s rule when they requested a king. Saul’s calling is real, but the people’s responsibility remains.
How should we understand the meaning of the signs in 1 Samuel 10?
The signs are both practical and spiritual. They begin with trustworthy details Saul can verify and move toward worship-centered realities where the Spirit acts unmistakably. The point is not superstition, but God’s presence guiding the next step and strengthening faith to obey.
What does the explanation of Saul’s anointing in 1 Samuel 10 teach about authority?
It teaches that leadership authority comes from God’s appointment, not from popular preference alone. Samuel’s anointing identifies Saul as God’s choice “for his inheritance,” linking kingship to covenant purpose rather than mere human power.
Why did people ask, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” in Saul’s transformation in 1 Samuel 10?
They were surprised because Saul’s earlier identity did not match this spiritual role. The text presents his change as Spirit-driven and observable, prompting public astonishment. It reminds believers that God can empower unexpected people for His work.
A Short Prayer
Lord God, thank You for confirming Your calling and for shaping hearts beyond what humans can predict. Teach us to trust You in our next steps, to welcome Your Spirit’s work within us, and to respond faithfully when others doubt. Help us worship before we rush, obey before we demand proof, and serve with integrity even amid opposition. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Key Takeaway: God chose Saul and equipped him by signs and the Spirit, revealing that true leadership begins with divine appointment and inward transformation.
