I Samuel 10

Hook

Have you ever had that sudden, icy feeling of imposter syndrome? You know the one. It is that moment when someone hands you a major responsibility, a big promotion, or a task that feels way out of your league, and your first instinct is to run and hide in the nearest closet. You think to yourself, "They have made a huge mistake. I am just a regular person. I was actually looking for my lost keys, and now you want me to run the whole show?"

It turns out that this deeply human, highly relatable panic is not a modern invention. In fact, it is right there in the ancient Hebrew Bible, which we call the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible, made of Torah, Prophets, and Writings).

Today, we are going to look at a story about a guy named Saul. He was a regular fellow who went out looking for his father's lost donkeys and ended up being crowned the very first king of Israel. How did he handle this massive promotion? By literally hiding among the baggage at his own coronation.

If you have ever felt unready for a big change, or if you have ever wanted to slide under the table when your name was called, this story is for you. We will explore how ancient Jewish wisdom looks at personal transformation, coping with sudden change, and finding the courage to step out of our own "baggage." It is a warm, funny, and comforting look at what happens when life asks us to grow a bigger heart. Let us dive in!

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Context

To understand this wild story, we need to set the stage with a few quick facts about what was going down in ancient Israel around 3,000 years ago.

• Who and Where: Our main characters are Samuel, an aging prophet (a person chosen by God to deliver divine messages to people), and Saul, a tall young man from the small tribe of Benjamin. The action takes place in the rocky hills of ancient Israel, spanning towns like Ramah, Gibeah, and Mizpah.
• The Big Transition: Before this moment, Israel did not have a king. For generations, they were a loose confederation of tribes led by temporary military leaders called judges. But the people got nervous. They looked at their neighbors and said, "We want a king like everyone else!" Samuel was not thrilled about this request, and neither was God, but God basically said, "Give them what they want, but warn them it is going to be a bumpy ride."
• The Sacred Ritual of Anointing: To make someone a king, they did not use a golden crown. Instead, they used a ritual called anointing (poured sacred oil on someone's head to mark them for leadership). The prophet would pour special oil over the future leader's head. This physical act was a symbol of a spiritual shift, showing that the person was being set apart for a sacred duty. It was like a physical coronation and a spiritual ordination all poured into one.
• The Search for Donkeys: The story actually starts with a comedy of errors. Saul’s father lost his family donkeys. Saul took a servant and went on a long, exhausting hike to find them. Having no luck, they decided to ask the local holy man, Samuel, for directions. Saul went looking for lost farm animals and walked right into his destiny. Samuel was already waiting for him, having received a divine heads-up that this tall, shy stranger was the one chosen to lead the nation.
• The Cultural Context of the Oil: The type of vessel used to carry the oil carried deep meaning. In those days, leaders could be anointed using a small, fragile clay flask or a sturdy, animal-horn container. As we will see, the choice of vessel was not just a matter of what was lying around the kitchen. It actually predicted how long the leader's family would stay in power. This little detail shows us how ancient writers packed huge lessons into tiny, everyday objects.

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Text Snapshot

Let us look at three key moments from this chapter on Sefaria (a free, online library of Jewish texts in translation) at I Samuel 10:1, I Samuel 10:9, and I Samuel 10:22-24:

"Samuel took a flask of oil and poured some on Saul’s head and kissed him, and said, 'God herewith anoints you ruler over this people...' As Saul turned around to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart... They inquired of God, 'Has the man come here?' And God replied, 'Yes; he is hiding among the baggage.' So they ran over and brought him from there... And all the people acclaimed him, shouting, 'Long live the king!'"

— Read the full chapter at Sefaria's I Samuel 10.

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Close Reading

Insight 1: The Anatomy of a Transformation (Flask, Pouring, and the Sacred Kiss)

Let us look closely at the very first verse of our text: "Samuel took a flask of oil and poured some on Saul’s head and kissed him..." I Samuel 10:1. On the surface, this is a straightforward ceremony. But the classic Jewish commentators look at this verse and see a treasure chest of psychological and spiritual meaning.

First, let us look at the tools of the trade. The commentator Metzudat Zion (an 18th-century commentary that explains difficult Hebrew words) helps us translate the key terms. He notes that the Hebrew word pach means "a small vessel or flask." He explains that vayitzok simply means "he poured," and vayishakehu means "he kissed him." This sounds basic, but the choice of a pach—a small clay flask—holds a massive secret.

The great commentator Radak (a 12th-century French rabbi and grammarian) points out that this was not the holy anointing oil kept in the Tabernacle (a portable sanctuary used by Israelites in the desert). Instead, it was balsam oil. Radak shares a fascinating tradition: Saul was anointed with oil from a clay flask (pach), whereas later, King David was anointed with oil from an animal's horn (keren).

What is the difference? A clay flask is fragile. If you drop it, it shatters into a million pieces and cannot be put back together. This symbolized that Saul’s royal dynasty would be temporary and fragile. It would not last. On the other hand, a horn is made of organic, durable material that does not break when dropped. This symbolized that David’s kingdom would be enduring and eternal.

Imagine being Saul. You are handed a destiny, but the very vessel used to give it to you whispers, "This is temporary. Enjoy it, guard it, but know it is fragile." It is a beautiful lesson in humility and the impermanence of our roles in life. Sometimes, we are called to fill a role for a season, not forever, and that is okay.

But what about that kiss? Why did Samuel kiss Saul?

The commentator Malbim (a 19th-century European rabbi) explains that the physical act of pouring oil was meant to bring Saul a "spirit of courage and royal strength." But the kiss was something else entirely. Malbim writes that a kiss represents "the cleaving of spirit to spirit" (hitdabkut rucha b'rucha). Through this intimate gesture, Samuel connected his own highly developed spiritual energy to Saul's soul. This kiss prepared Saul to experience prophecy later in the story. It was a transfer of calm, holy energy from an experienced mentor to a terrified beginner.

Radak adds a wonderful piece of Midrash (ancient Jewish stories that explain and fill in gaps in scripture) about this kiss. He notes that Jewish tradition generally views kissing in public as silly or inappropriate. However, the tradition identifies three noble exceptions:

1. The Kiss of Greatness: This is when a leader is appointed, just like Samuel kissing Saul.
2. The Kiss of Reunion: This is when loved ones meet after a long separation, like when Moses met his brother Aaron in the desert.
3. The Kiss of Parting: This is when people say goodbye before a long journey, like when Orpah kissed her mother-in-law Naomi.

Some sages even add a fourth: the kiss of close relatives, like when Jacob kissed Rachel.

What does this tell us? It shows us that in Jewish wisdom, physical touch is sacred when it marks transition, deep connection, or respect. Samuel’s kiss was not empty flattery. It was a profound gesture of reassurance. It said, "I am with you. You are not alone in this scary new world."

Insight 2: "Another Heart" and the Signs of Change

As Saul leaves Samuel to walk back home, Samuel gives him a list of highly specific signs that will happen to him along the road. He tells Saul he will meet two men by Rachel’s tomb who will tell him the donkeys are found. Then he will meet three men carrying bread, goats, and wine, who will offer him some bread. Finally, he will meet a group of ecstatic prophets playing music, and he will join them in their spiritual ecstasy.

Why all these bizarrely specific road signs?

The commentator Ralbag (a 14th-century philosopher and mathematician) explains that Saul needed these signs because he suffered from a massive lack of self-confidence. Saul had never experienced anything spiritual or political in his life. He was a farm boy. If Samuel had just said, "Hey, you are king now, go get 'em!" Saul would have walked home thinking the old prophet had lost his mind.

Ralbag writes that Samuel gave him these physical signs so that Saul would truly believe his new destiny was real. Each sign was like a stepping stone for his confidence. First, his everyday worries were resolved (the donkeys were found). Second, he was offered bread, which taught him to accept gifts and respect from strangers. Finally, the ultimate sign occurred: "God gave him another heart" I Samuel 10:9.

Ralbag points out that this "other heart" was the most important sign of all. Before this day, Saul had never prophesied or felt any divine inspiration. He had "no hand or name" in spiritual matters. But when he met the prophets, the spirit of God gripped him, and he began to sing and speak in ecstasy.

What does it mean to get "another heart"?

In Hebrew thought, the heart is not just the organ that pumps blood, and it is not just the seat of emotions. The heart is the center of your intellect, your courage, and your will. To get "another heart" means Saul experienced a profound psychological shift. He went from thinking like a lost-donkey hunter to thinking like a national leader. He suddenly felt a surge of empathy for his people, a sense of duty, and a courage he did not know he possessed.

But notice something beautiful: God did not change Saul’s identity. He did not make him a different human being. He gave him another heart—an expanded capacity to love, lead, and care.

This teaches us a gorgeous lesson about personal growth. When we are called to step up in our lives—whether as parents, mentors, leaders, or friends—we do not have to pretend to be someone else. We do not have to discard our past. Instead, we can ask for "another heart." We can ask for our inner capacity to expand so we can hold the new joys and challenges coming our way.

Insight 3: Hiding in the Baggage (The Comedy and Comfort of Humility)

Now we reach the climax of the story. Samuel gathers all the tribes of Israel together at a place called Mizpah to publicly choose the king. To make sure the choice is seen as fair and divinely guided, Samuel uses a system of lots—essentially a sacred lottery.

The lottery narrows down the search: first the tribe of Benjamin is chosen, then Saul's family clan, and finally, Saul himself is selected! The crowd gasps, looks around, and... nothing. Saul is nowhere to be found.

They have to ask God where the new king is. God’s response is hilarious and deeply endearing: "Yes; he is hiding among the baggage" I Samuel 10:22.

Why was Saul hiding? And why did Samuel do this whole lottery show if he had already anointed Saul in private?

Let us look back at the Malbim. He asks a great question: If Samuel already anointed Saul privately with oil in the very first verse, why did they need to do this public lottery at Mizpah?

Malbim explains that Samuel anointed Saul in private so that he could later run the public lottery without any suspicion of cheating. If Samuel had anointed Saul in front of everyone first, the people would have thought the lottery was a rigged game. They would have said, "Oh, Samuel just set up the lottery to land on his favorite guy." By keeping the initial anointing a secret, the public lottery served as an independent, divine confirmation. The people could see with their own eyes that God had chosen Saul.

But Saul’s reaction to this public selection is to hide in the luggage. This tells us so much about his character. Saul is physically magnificent—the text says he stands "a head taller than all the people" I Samuel 10:23. He literally stood out in any crowd. Yet, emotionally, he wanted to be invisible. He was overwhelmed by the pressure, the expectations, and the spotlight.

There is a profound comfort in Saul’s awkward hiding spot. Often, we look at leaders, heroes, or successful people and assume they must have been born with absolute confidence. We think they must have always wanted the spotlight. But Saul shows us that it is entirely normal to feel small even when you are physically big. It is normal to want to hide in the baggage when life calls your name.

Our "baggage" can be our excuses, our past mistakes, or our fears of failure. We hide behind them because they feel safe and familiar. But eventually, someone is going to run over, pull back the suitcases, and drag us out into the light. And when they do, we might just find a crowd of people waiting to support us, shouting, "Long live the king!"

Even at the end of the chapter, when some "scoundrels" doubt Saul and ask, "How can this fellow save us?" I Samuel 10:27, Saul does not throw a royal tantrum. The text says, "But he pretended not to mind." He stayed quiet, kept his peace, and went home. He knew he was a work in progress. He did not need to fight every critic on day one. He was still getting used to his "new heart."

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Apply It

Now that we have walked through Saul's journey from donkey hunter to king, how do we bring this ancient wisdom into our busy, modern lives? We do not need to find a prophet or pour balsam oil on our heads to experience a shift. We can start right where we are, with our own "baggage" and our own hearts.

This week, your invitation is to try a simple, 60-second daily practice called "The New Heart Pause."

How to do it:

Every morning, before you dive into your emails, check your phone, or start rushing through your to-do list, take exactly one minute to sit quietly.

1. Locate your "baggage" (First 20 seconds): Close your eyes and identify one thing you are dreading or feeling unprepared for today. It might be a difficult conversation, a big project, or just the sheer volume of chores. Acknowledge it without judgment. Say to yourself, "It is okay that I feel unready for this."
2. Take a deep breath (Next 20 seconds): Place your hand over your heart. Take a slow, deep breath in, and let it out. Imagine your heart physically expanding, just like Saul’s did when he received "another heart."
3. Set your intention (Last 20 seconds): Choose one small quality you want to bring to your day. You might say, "Today, I choose a heart of courage," or "Today, I choose a heart of patience," or "Today, I choose a heart of kindness."

Why this matters:

This tiny ritual mimics Saul's transition. By taking a moment to step out of your daily worries (your "lost donkeys") and recognizing that you are allowed to grow into your challenges, you give yourself permission to be a work in progress. You do not have to be perfect. You just have to be willing to show up, step out of the baggage, and let your heart grow a little bit bigger.

Give this a try for the next seven days. You might find that this tiny, 60-second pause gives you just enough quiet confidence to face whatever "scoundrels" or challenges come your way today.

Remember, you do not have to change your entire personality overnight. Real growth happens in these tiny, quiet moments of intention. Just as Samuel’s oil took time to sink in, and just as Saul had to walk a long path home before he was ready to lead, your personal growth is a journey. Be gentle with yourself as you practice stepping into the light.

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Chevruta Mini

In Jewish tradition, we rarely study alone. We study in a chevruta (a traditional partner for studying Jewish texts together). This allows us to bounce ideas off each other, laugh, and find deeper meanings that we might have missed on our own.

Here are two friendly, open-ended questions to discuss with a friend, a partner, or even to journal about by yourself over a warm cup of tea:

Question 1:

Saul's first instinct when he was chosen as king was to run and hide among the physical baggage. What is your personal "baggage" that you tend to hide behind when you are asked to step up or try something new? Is it a busy schedule, a fear of failure, or perhaps the comfort of staying in your familiar routine?

Question 2:

The text says that God gave Saul "another heart" to prepare him for his new role as leader. If you could ask for a temporary upgrade to your own heart this week, what quality would you want it to have? Would you want a heart of bold courage, deep calm, boundless curiosity, or something else entirely?

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Takeaway

Even when you feel completely unqualified and want to hide among the baggage, you are fully capable of receiving a bigger heart to meet the moment.