First Samuel 10 Commentary.
Saul is a lucky boy. Look at all the signs that the great prophet Samuel gives him! Which saint hasn’t prayed for signs? Silence. Yes, silence. That is normally the answer. But here Saul is given several time-specific and event-specific signs – all in one day. What a start to ministry!
In addition to authenticating the calling, the signs are a message by themselves. The first sign is that the lost donkeys have been found. The message could be that the calling doesn’t necessarily lead to the loss of one’s life pursuits. The fact that they have been found without Saul’s search effort is important by itself. Seek the kingdom first and ‘these things will be added on to you.
The gift of bread may be speaking about the LORD’s special gift to Saul. The three men are going to worship the LORD at Bethel – Bethel actually means ‘the house of God’. One of them would offer Saul the bread which is actually meant to be offered to the LORD at Bethel. We can read into this sign with greater interest when we consider the importance of bread as an object of worship at the Sanctuary. And Saul should accept this bread.
The next sign is about the Gibeah of God. Standing in God’s territory is a Philistine outpost. This is a foreign object standing where it should not stand. Here Saul would join a company of prophets and prophecy. Saul’s integration into this family of believers is clear. Importantly, the LORD is pointing to his calling and what that calling stands for. Ideally, a leader is a prophet who stands in the shoes of the LORD and declares the LORD’s word to the people. This should be the new normal for Saul.
The Spirit of the LORD would come powerfully upon Saul. His life would never be the same. It is only at this point that he should launch out. LORD, we ask for a time like this in our lives.
Someone greater than the great prophet Samuel has commissioned you, as the gospels clearly teach. And the signs to follow your calling have been recorded for you.
The calling was followed by the public presentation. We can call it ordination or inauguration. An ordination ritual is never the calling but simply a display for the human eye.
The constitution is given to Saul and the people. Samuel writes and deposits the guidelines before the LORD. Samuel’s sense to keep this important record may just be evidence that we are probably reading about a man who the LORD used to compile, write, and probably preserve much of the text that we have read so far.
Immediately we read about the opposition to Saul’s kingship. His reaction is admirable. So far so good.
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