I Samuel 10:24-12:21

This passage is far more than just the story of Israel's first king; it's a profound exploration of divine choice, human desire, and the complex relationship between the people, their leader, and God. What's non-obvious is how deeply intertwined Saul's personal transformation and the establishment of kingship are, and how Samuel's final address acts as a foundational sermon on covenantal faithfulness.

Context

The establishment of the monarchy in Israel, as depicted in I Samuel, is a watershed moment. It marks a significant shift from a period of charismatic judges, divinely appointed leaders who arose in times of crisis, to a more centralized, hereditary system. This transition was not without controversy. As we see in chapter 8, the elders demanded a king "like all the other nations," a request Samuel viewed as a rejection of God's direct kingship over Israel. This passage, therefore, isn't just about installing a king; it's about navigating this theological and political tension. The biblical narrative here is deliberately complex, showing both God's ultimate sovereignty in choosing Saul and the people's flawed motivations for desiring a human king. This is the backdrop against which Saul's anointing and the subsequent events unfold.

Text Snapshot

Here’s a crucial segment that encapsulates the early stages of Saul's kingship:

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—God’s own. When you leave me today, you will meet two men near the tomb of Rachel in the territory of Benjamin, at Zelzah, and they will tell you that the donkeys you set out to look for have been found, and that your father has stopped being concerned about the donkeys and is worrying about you, saying: ‘What shall I do about my son?’ You shall pass on from there until you come to the terebinth of Tabor. There you will be met by three men making a pilgrimage to God at Bethel. One will be carrying three kids, another will be carrying three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a jar of wine. They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept. After that, you are to go on to the Hill of God, where the Philistine prefects reside. There, as you enter the town, you will encounter a band of prophets coming down from the shrine, preceded by lyres, hand-drums, flutes, and harps, and they will be speaking in ecstasy. The spirit of God will grip you, and you will speak in ecstasy along with them; you will become a different person. And once these signs have happened to you, act when the occasion arises, for God is with you. After that, you are to go down to Gilgal ahead of me, and I will come down to you to present burnt offerings and offer sacrifices of well-being. Wait seven days until I come to you and instruct you what you are to do next.” (I Samuel 10:1-8)

And later, after the public acclamation:

Samuel said to the people, “Do you see the one whom God has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people acclaimed him, shouting, “Long live the king!” Samuel expounded to the people the rules of the monarchy, and recorded them in a document that he deposited before God. Samuel then sent the people back to their homes. Saul also went home to Gibeah, accompanied by upstanding men whose hearts God had touched. But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” So they scorned him and brought him no gift. But he pretended not to mind. (I Samuel 10:24-27)

Finally, Samuel's powerful concluding address:

Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there inaugurate the monarchy. So all the people went to Gilgal, and there at Gilgal they declared Saul king before God. They offered sacrifices of well-being there before God; and Saul and everyone connected with Israel held a great celebration there. Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have yielded to you in all you have asked of me and have set a king over you. Henceforth the king will be your leader. As for me, I have grown old and gray—but my sons are still with you—and I have been your leader from my youth to this day. Here I am! Testify against me, in the presence of God and in the presence of this anointed one: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded or whom have I robbed? From whom have I taken a bribe to look the other way? I will return it to you.” They responded, “You have not defrauded us, and you have not robbed us, and you have taken nothing from anyone.” He said to them, “God then is witness, and this anointed one is witness, to your admission this day that you have found nothing in my possession.” They responded, “[God is] witness indeed!” Samuel said to the people, “God [is witness]—who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt. Come, stand before God while I cite against you all the kindnesses that God has done to you and your ancestors... But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was advancing against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king reigning over us’—though the Eternal your God is your King. “Well, God has set a king over you! Here is the king that you have chosen, that you have asked for. If you will revere, worship, and obey God—and not flout God’s command—if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Eternal your God, [well and good]. But if you do not obey God—and you flout God’s command—God’s hand will strike you as it did your ancestors. Now stand by and see the marvelous thing that God will do before your eyes. It is the season of the wheat harvest. I will pray to God—who will send thunder and rain; then you will take thought and realize what a wicked thing you did in God’s sight when you asked for a king.” (I Samuel 12:12-17)

Close Reading

This passage is rich with theological and psychological depth. Let’s unpack some of it.

Insight 1: The "Different Person" and the Transformation of Saul

The most striking moment in Saul's initial anointing is the prediction that "the spirit of God will grip you, and you will speak in ecstasy along with them; you will become a different person" (10:6). This isn't just a prophetic sign; it's a description of a profound internal shift. The commentators often note the contrast between Saul's initial timidity (hiding among the baggage in 10:22) and this sudden prophetic fervor.

• Metzudat David on 10:24:1, observing the crowd's reaction to Saul standing head and shoulders above everyone else, states, "He is fitting for kingship." This highlights how physical presence and bearing are considered by the people to be indicative of leadership. This perception is reinforced by Radak on 10:24:2, who comments, "For a tall and handsome person is fitting for kingship, and the people will fear him more."
• This emphasis on outward appearance and the people's perception of it underscores a tension: the divinely chosen king is also meant to look the part. The "different person" Saul becomes after the spirit grips him is one who can inspire awe and command respect, at least initially. The text doesn't shy away from this visible transformation, which is key to his acceptance.

Insight 2: The Proverbial Scorn and the Seeds of Doubt

Despite the miraculous signs and the people's initial acclamation, the seeds of doubt are sown immediately. The scornful question, "Is Saul too among the prophets?" (10:11), and the subsequent proverb, "Is Saul too among the prophets?" (10:12), reveal a deep-seated skepticism.

• Radak on 10:24:3 notes that "Long live the king!" (Hebrew: Yech-i ha-Melech) is translated by Jonathan ben Uzziel as Yitzlach Malkah, meaning "May the king succeed." This shows the traditional expression of royal acclamation. However, the scornful proverb points to a different sentiment brewing.
• The text explicitly states that "some scoundrels said, 'How can this fellow save us?' So they scorned him and brought him no gift" (10:27). This highlights a crucial divide within the populace. Not everyone is convinced by the divine anointing or the prophetic signs. This group, dismissed as "scoundrels," represents a segment that prioritizes tangible results and perhaps holds a more pragmatic, less faith-based view of leadership. Their skepticism sets the stage for future challenges to Saul's authority. The "gift" (Hebrew: minchah) was a customary offering to a new ruler, so their refusal is a direct act of disrespect and rejection.

Insight 3: Samuel's Covenantal Reckoning and the Weight of Choice

Samuel's lengthy address in chapter 12 is a masterclass in prophetic rhetoric. He doesn't just hand over the reins; he delivers a sermon that frames the entire establishment of kingship within the context of Israel's covenantal relationship with God.

• Samuel begins by reminding them of their history, their repeated failures to remain faithful, and their subsequent deliverances by God (12:8-11). He then directly confronts their choice of a king, stating, "though the Eternal your God is your King" (12:12).
• The climax of this section is the miraculous thunder and rain during the wheat harvest (12:17-18). This is not merely a display of divine power; it's a pedagogical tool. Samuel explicitly states the purpose: "then you will take thought and realize what a wicked thing you did in God’s sight when you asked for a king." This event serves as a tangible reminder of God's presence and power, and the folly of seeking security in human kingship when God is their true sovereign. It’s a moment designed to imbue the people with awe of God and Samuel, and to instill a deep sense of their sin.

Two Angles

The interpretation of Saul's anointing and the subsequent establishment of the monarchy has always been a point of discussion among commentators, highlighting different facets of the biblical text.

Angle 1: The Divine Mandate vs. Human Expectation (Rashi vs. Ibn Ezra)

• Rashi, in his commentary on I Samuel 10:24, focuses on the people's perception and the divine validation of Saul's physical stature. He emphasizes that Saul's height and noble appearance ("a head taller than all the people") were signs that God had chosen him, making him visibly fit for kingship and inspiring greater respect from the populace. This reading highlights the importance of outward signs and the people's role in recognizing and accepting God's choice.
• Ibn Ezra, on the other hand, often leans towards a more pragmatic and psychological interpretation. While acknowledging the divine selection, he might focus on the practicalities and the underlying motivations. For Ibn Ezra, the "spirit of God" gripping Saul could be seen as an empowering force that enabled him to fulfill the demanding role, and the people's acclamation, while important, is also a human reaction to a leader who appears capable. He would likely see the people's desire for a king as a human failing, a deviation from ideal divine rule, which God permits but does not necessarily endorse.

Angle 2: The King as God's Representative vs. The King as God's Instrument (Radak vs. Ramban)

• Radak (Rabbi David Kimhi), in his commentary on 10:24, connects the acclamation "Long live the king!" to a sense of divinely appointed authority. He sees Saul as God's chosen representative, whose selection is met with joyous celebration. His emphasis on Saul's appearance fitting for kingship suggests that the king is meant to embody a certain divinely sanctioned authority that the people can rally behind.
• Ramban (Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman), while respecting the institution of kingship, would likely place a stronger emphasis on the king's role as an instrument of God's will and the covenant. For Ramban, the ultimate authority always rests with God. The king is to govern according to God's law, and his legitimacy is contingent upon his faithfulness to that covenant. In his view, Samuel's later sermon (chapter 12) underscores this: the king's success is directly tied to his and the people's obedience to God, framing kingship within a conditional covenant.

Practice Implication

This passage profoundly impacts how we might approach leadership, both in our personal lives and in communal decision-making. It suggests that true leadership, at its core, is a divine calling, often marked by unexpected transformations (Saul's encounter with the prophets). However, it also highlights the critical tension between divine selection and human perception.

The lesson for daily practice is to be discerning. When evaluating leaders or making leadership decisions, we must look beyond mere charisma or outward appearance. We should consider the character, the ethical track record (as Samuel so powerfully demonstrates with his own integrity), and the alignment of the leader's actions with higher principles – in this context, divine will and covenantal faithfulness. The passage warns against superficial judgment ("How can this fellow save us?") and encourages a deeper assessment of a leader's capacity to serve the common good and uphold moral standards, recognizing that true effectiveness is often a combination of divine enablement and personal integrity. It also reminds us that even divinely appointed leaders can face opposition and doubt from those who prioritize immediate gratification or personal gain over principled leadership.

Chevruta Mini

1. Samuel, in his farewell address, challenges the people to find fault with his leadership, emphasizing his integrity. Yet, he then pivots to the people's sin in asking for a king, despite God being their King. What is the tradeoff in this rhetorical move? Does it bolster his authority by highlighting his righteousness, or does it risk alienating the people further by making them feel judged before the covenantal consequence is even fully explained?
2. Saul is described as becoming "a different person" after the spirit of God grips him, and he is later proclaimed king because he is "a head taller" and fits the image of kingship. However, he also hides among the baggage and is later scorned by some. What is the inherent tension between the internal transformation catalyzed by the divine spirit and the external expectations of leadership, and how might one "win" or "lose" against the other in the long run?