1 Samuel 10 Foundations Commentary

Big Idea

God graciously equips those He calls, but His gifts are meant to lead to faithful obedience. True success is found not merely in receiving God’s calling but in continually submitting to His Word and His rule.

Introduction

Called by God

Most people wonder at some point in life,

“What does God want me to do?”

Calling can feel exciting.

It can also feel overwhelming.

The responsibilities seem bigger than we are.

The future feels uncertain.

That is where Saul finds himself in 1 Samuel 10.

The day before, he was searching for lost donkeys.

Now he is about to become Israel’s first king.

Everything is changing.

Yet this chapter reminds us of an important truth.

When God calls someone, He also provides what they need to accomplish His purposes.

His calling always comes with His provision.

But His provision is never meant to replace obedience.

God’s gifts are designed to lead us into faithful dependence upon Him.

Samuel Anoints Saul (1 Samuel 10:1–8)

Samuel privately anoints Saul with oil.

This is more than a symbolic ceremony.

It marks Saul as the Lord’s chosen leader.

From this point forward, Israel’s king would be known as “the Lord’s anointed.”

Although the people had asked for a king, God remained the true King of Israel.

Saul would serve under God’s authority, not above it.

Samuel then gave Saul several signs that would confirm God’s calling.

He would meet two men who would report the donkeys had been found.

Three worshipers would give him bread.

A group of prophets would meet him, and the Spirit of the Lord would come powerfully upon him.

Each sign pointed to the same reality.

God Himself was establishing Saul for this work.

The Lord does not leave His servants wondering whether He is with them.

He faithfully provides what they need to trust Him.

God’s Calling Comes with God’s Provision

The signs Samuel described were not magic.

They were confirmations.

God was strengthening Saul’s faith before asking him to lead a nation.

God often does the same for us.

He may not provide miraculous signs, but He continually reminds us of His faithfulness through His Word, His people, and His ongoing work in our lives.

God never calls His children to trust themselves.

He calls them to trust Him.

The Spirit of the Lord Comes Upon Saul (1 Samuel 10:9–13)

Just as Samuel had said, everything happened.

God changed Saul’s heart.

The signs were fulfilled.

The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him.

Saul even joined a group of prophets in prophesying.

The people who knew Saul were astonished.

They asked,

“Is Saul also among the prophets?”

The question became a well-known saying because Saul’s behavior seemed so unexpected.

This moment reminds us that God is able to accomplish what people never expect.

He delights in displaying His power through ordinary people.

Yet this scene also teaches an important lesson.

Experiencing God’s power is not the same as cultivating lifelong faithfulness.

Saul received God’s Spirit for the task before him.

But throughout the rest of his story, he would have to choose whether to continually trust and obey the Lord.

God’s gifts should always lead us toward deeper obedience.

A Private Calling Before a Public Ministry (1 Samuel 10:14–16)

When Saul returned home, his uncle asked about the journey.

Saul briefly explained what had happened.

He mentioned meeting Samuel.

He reported that the donkeys had been found.

But he said nothing about becoming king.

The public announcement would come later.

There is wisdom in this.

God often prepares His servants privately before He uses them publicly.

Before David became king…

Before the disciples preached to crowds…

Before Paul began his missionary journeys…

God first worked deeply within them.

Public ministry is strengthened by private preparation.

God is often doing His greatest work in us before He chooses to work through us.

Saul Is Chosen Before Israel (1 Samuel 10:17–24)

Samuel gathered the nation at Mizpah.

Before announcing the king, he reminded the people of an uncomfortable truth.

God had delivered them from Egypt.

He had rescued them from their enemies.

Yet they had rejected Him by demanding a king.

Even as God granted their request, Samuel wanted Israel to remember who their true King was.

The tribes were brought forward.

Then the clans.

Finally, Saul was chosen.

But when the people looked for him…

He was missing.

Saul was hiding among the baggage.

His hesitation may reflect humility.

It may also reveal uncertainty about the responsibility before him.

Whatever the reason, God knew exactly where he was.

The Lord revealed Saul’s location, and he was brought before the people.

Standing head and shoulders above everyone else, Saul looked every bit like the king Israel wanted.

The crowd shouted,

“Long live the king!”

Yet appearances can never guarantee faithfulness.

That lesson will become increasingly clear as Saul’s story unfolds.

Character Matters More Than Appearance

Israel chose the kind of king they believed would inspire confidence.

Tall.

Strong.

Impressive.

Visible.

God was already preparing to teach them that leadership is about far more than appearance.

External qualities may impress people.

Faithfulness is what pleases God.

The heart remains God’s greatest concern.

Samuel Establishes the Kingdom (1 Samuel 10:25–27)

Samuel explained the responsibilities of kingship and wrote them down before the Lord.

Israel’s king would not rule like the surrounding nations.

He remained accountable to God.

His authority had limits because God’s authority did not.

As the gathering ended, some valiant men followed Saul because God had touched their hearts.

Others despised him.

They questioned whether he could save Israel.

Saul responded by remaining silent.

His restraint was wise.

Not every criticism requires an immediate response.

Sometimes quiet humility demonstrates greater strength than quick retaliation.

The chapter closes with both hope and tension.

Saul has been chosen.

God has equipped him.

The people have recognized him.

Yet the future remains unwritten.

The question is no longer whether Saul has been called.

The question is whether he will remain faithful to the God who called him.

1 Samuel 10 and the Gospel

Saul was God’s anointed king.

He received God’s Spirit.

He was publicly recognized as Israel’s leader.

Yet Saul’s story ultimately reminds us that being chosen for a position is not the same as perfectly fulfilling it.

Israel needed more than an anointed king.

They needed a perfectly obedient King.

Jesus Christ is the true Anointed One—the Messiah.

Unlike Saul, Jesus never wavered in His obedience.

He perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will.

He never abused His authority.

He never acted out of pride or fear.

He reigns with perfect righteousness, justice, and love.

Where Saul’s reign would eventually expose human weakness, Christ’s reign reveals God’s perfect faithfulness.

Jesus is the King who always accomplishes the Father’s purposes and leads His people in truth forever.

Theological Themes

God’s Calling

God sovereignly calls people according to His purposes and equips them for the work He gives them.

The Empowering Work of God’s Spirit

The Lord graciously provides His power to accomplish His purposes, enabling His servants to fulfill the responsibilities He entrusts to them.

God’s Authority Over Human Leaders

Even Israel’s king remained under God’s rule and accountable to His Word.

Faithful Obedience

God’s gifts and calling are meant to produce ongoing trust and obedience, not self-confidence.

Christ the Perfect Anointed King

Saul’s anointing points forward to Jesus Christ, God’s perfect Messiah who reigns forever in complete obedience to the Father.

Truths and Lessons for Today

1. God Equips Those He Calls

Saul did not become king by his own ability.

God equipped him for the task.

Application: Trust that whatever God calls you to do, He will provide the grace, wisdom, and strength you need.

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

2. God’s Power Should Lead to Obedience

Receiving God’s gifts is only the beginning.

The goal is lifelong faithfulness.

Application: Ask God not only to bless your life but also to shape your character.

“Walk by the Spirit, and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

3. God Often Prepares Us in Private

Before Saul was publicly presented, God worked privately in his life.

Application: Do not despise seasons of hidden preparation. God often uses them to prepare you for future service.

“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)

4. Character Is More Important Than Appearance

Saul looked like the ideal king.

But appearance alone could not sustain faithful leadership.

Application: Invest more energy in becoming the person God desires than in cultivating the image others see.

“The Lord sees the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

5. Jesus Is the Perfect Anointed King

Every earthly leader has weaknesses.

Christ alone reigns in perfect faithfulness.

Application: Respect earthly leaders, but place your ultimate confidence in King Jesus.

“He will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

Conclusion

First Samuel 10 is filled with hope.

God calls Saul.

Equips Saul.

Confirms Saul.

Presents Saul before the nation.

Everything appears ready for a successful reign.

Yet beneath the surface, an important lesson is already emerging.

God’s calling is only the beginning.

What matters most is continuing to trust and obey the One who calls.

That lesson extends far beyond Saul.

Every believer has been called by God.

Every believer has received His grace.

Every believer is invited to walk faithfully with Him each day.

As Saul’s story unfolds, we will see both the possibilities and dangers of leadership.

But through it all, Scripture continues pointing us to the greater King.

Jesus Christ.

The true Messiah.

The perfectly obedient Son.

The King who not only receives God’s calling but fulfills it completely.

He alone is worthy of our complete trust and lifelong allegiance.

Memorable Summary Statement

1 Samuel 10 reminds us that God graciously equips those He calls, but His gifts are meant to lead to faithful obedience under the reign of the true King, Jesus Christ.

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