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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:17-27

Saul's nomination to the throne is here made public, in a general assembly of the elders of Israel, the representatives of their respective tribes at Mizpeh. It is probable that this convention of the states was called as soon as conveniently it might, after Saul was anointed, for, if there must be a change in their government, the sooner the better: it might be of bad consequence to be long in the doing. The people having met in a solemn assembly, in which God was in a peculiar manner present... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:21

And when he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families ,.... By the heads of them, to have lots cast for them, out of which of the families the king should be chosen: the family of Matri was taken ; that is, by lot; the lot fell upon that family for the choice of a king out of them: in the account of the families of the tribe of Benjamin, 1 Chronicles 8:1 no mention is made of this family, nor any where else, and yet no doubt there was such a family, and Saul was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:22

Therefore they inquired of the Lord further ,.... Or again, by lot, by which they knew who the person was the was chosen king, but they did not know where he was, and therefore inquire further how they must come at him; and this inquiry was made either before the high priest by Urim and Thummim, or by Samuel the prophet of the Lord: and the inquiry was: if the man should yet come thither ; whether he was already come, or would come there, and if not, what methods they must take to find... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:23

And they ran and fetched him thence ,.... Being in haste to see their king elect, and proclaim him: and when he stood among the people ; being brought among them, and presented to them: he was higher than any of the people, from the shoulders, and upwards ; which made him look very graceful and majestic; height of stature, and a comely form, as Kimchi observes, recommend to royal dignity; and make the people stand more in awe of a prince, and have always been reckoned among all other... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:24

And Samuel said to all the people, see ye him whom the Lord hath chosen ,.... For the choice being made by lot, the disposal of which is of the Lord, it is properly attributed to him, and the people could not object to it, but must allow it was the Lord's doing. Eupolemus F11 Apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 30. p. 447. , an Heathen writer, says, that Saul was made king by Samuel by the counsel or will of God; and Samuel appeals to their eyes for the goodness of the choice, a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 10:21

When they sought him , he could not be found - Through modesty or fear he had secreted himself. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 10:22

The Lord answered - What a continual access to God! and what condescension in his attention to all their requests! The stuff among which he had secreted himself may mean the carts, baggage, etc., brought by the people to Mizpeh. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 10:24

God save the king - There is no such word here; no, nor in the whole Bible; nor is it countenanced by any of the versions. The words which we thus translate here and elsewhere are simply המלך יחי yechi hammelech , "May the king live;" and so all the versions, the Targum excepted, which says, May the king prosper! The French Vive le roi ! is a proper version of the Hebrew. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:17-25

Casting the lot in life. The facts are— 1 . Samuel, in calling the people together to exercise their choice, reminds them of their sin. 2 . Proceeding to a choice by lot, Saul is taken. 3 . For reasons secret to himself, Saul is not forthcoming when sought. 4 . By acclamation the people recognise him as their king, and thereupon receive from Samuel instructions relating to the new form of government. During the intercourse of Samuel with Saul the people were waiting for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:21

The family of Matri, or of the Matrites. Matri is not mentioned anywhere else; and numerous as are the omissions in the genealogies, we can scarcely suppose that the name of the head of one of the main subdivisions of a tribe could be passed over. The conjecture, therefore, is probable that Matri is a corruption of Bikri, i.e. a descendant of Becher, for whom see 1 Chronicles 7:8 . After the lot had fallen upon this family they would next cast lots upon its smaller subdivisions, as in ... read more

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