LYRICS FOR TODAY'S SONGS
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Sermon Notes
March 19 | 1 Samuel 10:9-27

Storyline 1 Samuel 10:9-27 (ESV)
7 Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. 8 Then go down before me to Gilgal… 9 When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day.

10 When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. 14 Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.” But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.

17 Now Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah. 18 And he said to the people of Israel, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your thousands.”

20 Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 22 So they inquired again of the LORD, “Is there a man still to come?” and the LORD said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” 23 Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. 24 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!”

25 Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the LORD…27 But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.


The Text in Context
In response to the people’s request, the Lord decided to give them a king, but he reserved the right to set the pattern for kingship. Recognizing the people’s need for security, he chose and commissioned a ruler to deliver them from their enemies. The plot tension of chapter 8 appears to be resolved, but new plot tensions appear in the story. Though Samuel presents Saul to the people as a qualified king based on superficial physical appearances (10:23–24; see 9:2), the narrator’s presentation of Saul reveals a serious character flaw that was foreshadowed in deficient leaders of the judges’ period. Despite his divine commission, Saul is hesitant to carry out the Lord’s purposes. Furthermore, some of the people, observing his hesitancy and realizing this is not the kingship arrangement for which they have asked, refuse to recognize Saul as king (10:27). These tensions will be resolved, ultimately in tragic fashion, as the story continues to unfold.

As noted above (see comments on 9:1), the stories of Samson, Micah, Samuel, and Saul all begin with the same formula. This formal linking appears to be by design, because there are parallels between the stories. There are several parallels between Samson and Saul: (1) The Lord intends to use both individuals to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Judg. 13:5; 1 Sam. 9:16). (2) The Lord’s Spirit rushes on both, empowering them for physical conflict (Judges. 14:6, 19; 15:14; 1 Sam. 11:6). (3) The Lord removes his enabling presence from both of them following disobedience (Judg. 16:20; 1 Sam. 16:14). (4) Both expire with a death wish on their lips (Judg. 16:30; 1 Sam. 31:5–6) and are humiliated by the Philistines, Samson before his death and Saul afterward (Judg. 16:21, 25; 1 Sam. 31:9–10).[103] The parallels cast Saul in the role of a second Samson. Both are physically impressive and seemingly possess great promise, but both die tragic deaths after disobeying the Lord.

“As commented earlier (on 1:1), the narrator contrasts Samuel and Samson. In contrast to Samson’s unnamed barren mother, whose son failed to recognize his role as the Lord’s deliverer and never rose to the level of an effective leader, barren Hannah gives birth to a son through whom the Lord restores effective leadership to Israel. Samson only began the deliverance of Israel (Judg. 13:5), but Samuel and then David, whom Samuel anoints as king, defeat the enemies of Israel (1 Sam. 7:14; 17:1–58; 2 Sam. 5:17–25; 8:1). By linking Saul with Samson, the narrator distances Samuel, who is unlike Samson, from Saul and paves the way for linking the prophet with David. This is a literary feature of the story that facilitates the narrator’s goal of presenting David, not Saul, as God’s chosen king.

The negative portrayal of Saul also contributes to the narrator’s goal of presenting David, not Saul, as God’s chosen king. Saul, ostensibly chosen because of his physical attributes, proves unfit to rule for a variety of reasons. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the Lord chooses Saul by using the people’s standard, perhaps to discipline them for their rebellion (see 10:17–19; cf. Hosea 13:10–11) and in the process to demonstrate the limitations of the human perspective they embrace when they demand a king like other nations. However, when it comes time to replace Saul, the Lord picks David on the basis of his own standard, which gives priority to inner character rather than physical attributes (1 Sam. 16:7). When the time comes to act decisively on the Lord’s behalf, David demonstrates no hesitancy (1 Sam. 17).” (Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.)


Historical and Cultural Background
“Verses 23–24 focus on Saul’s physical attributes, especially his height (cf. 9:2). This stands in marked contrast to the account of David’s anointing, where the Lord focuses on David’s inner qualities (16:7). It also suggests that the choice of Saul reflects the people’s, not the Lord’s, standard, for human beings tend to judge on such a superficial basis (see 16:6–7 and “Theological Insights” below).

In the ancient Near Eastern ideal of kingship, a premium was placed on physical attributes (cf. ZIBBCOT, 311). One of the most vivid examples of this is the description of Ramesses, depicted as “a beautiful youth who was well developed” and was “strong of arms.”[104] He was said to be adept at horsemanship, rowing, and archery, and his physical prowess is highlighted. He could outrow all others, and he allegedly shot an arrow through a thick copper shield. Though one must make room for hyperbole, Lichtheim points out that “his mummy is that of an exceptionally tall and strongly built man.” (Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.)


Theological Insights
In chapter 8 the Lord seems ready to give Israel a king like all the other nations, dooming them to oppression and eventual enslavement. By the end of chapter 10, however, it is apparent that he has decided not to give Israel a king like other nations, even though he views their demand for such a king as a rejection of his authority (10:19; cf. 8:7). One senses this is the case in 9:16–17 (see comments above), and then it becomes clear in 10:24–25 (see above). This comes into even sharper focus in chapter 11, where Saul, even though he is now a king/ruler, functions more as the judges did. When the news of the Ammonite threat arrives, he is working in a field (11:5), not sitting in a palace, and must summon citizen soldiers from the tribes (11:6–8), as the judges did. Yet there is a dark side to this. The king whom the Lord chooses has obvious flaws, and one senses from Samuel’s rhetoric that there may be a disciplinary or punitive dimension to the granting of a king. Later prophetic reflection on this event seems to bear this out (cf. Hosea 13:10–11).

How do the exilic readers of the Former Prophets respond to this story? In addition to encouraging them with the Lord’s continuing commitment to his people (see commentary on 9:1–10:8, under “Theological Insights”), the story should challenge them to focus on the Lord as their King and not to place their faith in human leaders, especially those with only superficial qualifications. Failure to keep their eyes focused on their true King can lead only to more painful discipline.” (Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.)

Study & Reflection Guide
1. 1 Samuel 10:9-13. Continuing with the narrative from the previous chapter, in order to qualify Saul he was given a new heart (v.9). How do you think it connects with 1 Samuel 10:6? Why do you think it's necessary for Saul to be transformed into a new man?

2. 1 Samuel 10:14-16. Why do you think Saul kept the more important thing from his uncle? Can you feel a sense of reluctance in Saul to fulfill his new role as king?

3. 1 Samuel 10:17-24. The opening statement in verse 18 reverberates the same opening line of the decalogue in Exodus 20:2. What does this connection tell you? Make a comparison between the procedure of discovering Achan and his crime (Joshua 7:10-26) to that of discovering Saul and his calling. What does this tell you? As Achan confessed that he hid the loot in his tent, what was the manner when Saul was found?

4. 1 Samuel 10:17-24. What qualification was highlighted in Saul that is relevant in his new role as king? How does this compare to how God qualified him for the job? (10:6 & 9) Application. What do you think should qualify us in doing ministry? And what can disqualify us?

5. 1 Samuel 10:25-27. How do you understand the phrase, “No one is above the law.”? How would you square that with verse 25? In the ancient world, the king is the law giver, but the fact that Samuel outlines the rights and duties of the king means his power was limited. Application. How do you see human/government/political authority over man? How should a believer relate to secular authorities? (Romans 13:1-7). When governing authorities abuse their privileges, how should believers weigh in? Is there a room for defiance?