Poured it — Which Is was the usual rite in the designation, as of priests and prophets, so also of kings, whereby was signified the pouring forth of the gifts of God's spirit upon him, to fit him for the administration of his office. These sacred unctions then used, pointed at the great Messiah, or... [ Continue Reading ]
Rachel's sepulchre — In the way to Bethlehem, which city was in Judah; her sepulchre might be either in Judah, or in Benjamin; for the possessions of those two tribes were bordering one upon another. The first place he directs him to was a sepulchre, the sepulchre of one of his ancestors. There he m... [ Continue Reading ]
Plain — Not that at the foot of mount Tabor, which was far from these parts; but another belonging to some other place. Bethel — Properly so called, which was in Ephraim, where there was a noted high — place, famous for Jacob's vision there, Genesis 28:19, where it is probable they offered sacrifice... [ Continue Reading ]
Prophets — By prophets he understands persons that wholly devoted themselves to religious studies and exercises. For the term of prophesying is not only given to the most eminent act of it, foretelling things to come; but also to preaching, and to the making or singing of psalms, or songs of praise... [ Continue Reading ]
Will come — Heb. will leap, or rush upon thee. Another man — That is, thou shalt be suddenly endowed with another spirit, filled with skill of divine things, with courage, and wisdom, and magnanimity; and other qualifications befitting thy dignity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou do — Heb. do what they hand findeth to do; that is, as thou shalt have a call and opportunity. He doth not intend that he should take the kingly government upon him, before his call to it was owned by the people, but that he should dispose his mind to a readiness of undertaking any public servi... [ Continue Reading ]
Till I come — This, though now mentioned and commanded, was not immediately to be performed; as is evident, partly from the whole course of the story, (which shews, that Saul and Samuel, and the people, first met at Mizpeh, 1 Samuel 10:17, &c. where Saul was chosen by God, and accepted by the people... [ Continue Reading ]
Prophesied — The accomplishment of the two former signs is supposed, and this only is expressed, because this was more eminent than the former; the other were only transient acts, which passed in private between two or three persons meeting together; but this was a more permanent and notorious sign,... [ Continue Reading ]
Is Saul — A man never instructed, nor exercised in, nor inclined to these matters.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who is, &c. — Who is the father of all these prophets, among whom Saul now is one? Who is it that instructs and inspires them but God? They have it not from their parents, nor from their education, but by inspiration from God, who, when he pleaseth, can inspire Saul, or any other man with the same s... [ Continue Reading ]
High place — Returning thither with the prophets, to praise God for these wonderful favours, and to beg counsel and help from God in this high business.... [ Continue Reading ]
Told not — In obedience to Samuel, who obliged him to secrecy: and from an humble modesty.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now therefore, &c. — He puts them upon chusing their king by lot, that all might know God had chosen Saul (for the disposal of the lot is of the Lord) and to prevent all dispute and exception.... [ Continue Reading ]
Benjamin — Which tribe was now preferred before Judah, because the kingdom was freely promised by God to Judah, and was to be given to him in love; but now the kingdom was in a manner forced from God, and given them in anger and therefore conferred upon an obscure tribe.... [ Continue Reading ]
Enquired — Either by Urim or Thummim, which was the usual way of enquiry. Or, by Samuel, who by his prayer procured an answer. Stuff — Among the carriages or baggage of the people there assembled. This he probably did, from a sense of his own unworthiness.... [ Continue Reading ]
None like him — As to the height of his bodily stature, which was in itself, commendable in a king, and some kind of indication of great endowments of mind. God save the king — Heb. let the king live; that is, long and prosperously. Hereby they accept him for their king, and promise subjection to hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Manner of the kingdom — The laws and rules by which the kingly government was to be managed; agreeable to those mentioned Deuteronomy 17:16, &c. Before the Lord — Before the ark, where it was kept safe from depravation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Went home — Not being actually inaugurated into his kingdom, he thought fit to retire to his former habitation, and to live privately 'till he had an occasion to shew himself in a more illustrious manner. Then went — To give him safe and honourable conduct to his house, though not to abide with him... [ Continue Reading ]
No presents — As subjects in those times used to do to their kings. This was an evidence both of his humility, and the mercifulness of his disposition. So Christ held his peace, in the day of his patience. But there is a day of recompense coming.... [ Continue Reading ]