1 Samuel 10:25 NIV

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 10:25

Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom , According to Ben Gersom, he laid before them the power a king had over his people, and the punishment he might inflict upon them, if they rebelled against him; and some think this is the same he delivered in 1 Samuel 8:10 concerning the arbitrary power of their kings, and how they would be used by them; and which he here repeated, and then wrote it, that it might be a testimony against them hereafter; with which what Josephus F13 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 10:25

The manner of the kingdom - It is the same word as in 1 Samuel 8:9 ; and doubtless the same thing is implied as is there related. But possibly there was some kind of compact or covenant between them and Saul; and this was the thing that was written in a book, and laid up before the Lord, probably near the ark. 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 10:25

The manner. The difficult word already discussed in 1 Samuel 2:13 ; 1 Samuel 8:11 . Here, however, it is not used for rights so exercised as to become wrongs, but in a good sense, for what we should call a constitution. The heathen kings were despots, subject to no higher law, and Samuel, in 1 Samuel 8:11-18 , speaks with merited abhorrence of their violation of the natural rights of their subjects; but under the theocracy the king's power was limited by laws which protected, in the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 10:25

The manner of the kingdom - i. e., the just prerogative of the kingdom, the law, or bill of rights, by which the king’s power was limited as well as secured. It is not improbable that what Samuel wrote was simply a transcript of Deuteronomy 17:14-20, which he “laid up before the Lord,” i. e., placed by the side of the ark of the covenant with the copy of the Law (see Deuteronomy 31:26). It would be ready for reference if either king or people violated the “law of the kingdom.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 10:25

1 Samuel 10:25. The manner of the kingdom The laws and rules by which the kingly government was to be managed; agreeably to those mentioned Deuteronomy 17:16, &c. Before the Lord Before the ark, where it was kept safe from depravation. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:17-27

Saul made king (10:17-27)Some time later, Samuel called a meeting of the leaders of all the tribes and families in Israel to select a king (17-19). The selection was made by a system of drawing lots that finally led to one man being chosen. Two people, a confident Samuel and a nervous Saul, knew through God’s previous private revelation who would be chosen (20-24).After the selection had been made, Samuel announced publicly the rights and duties of a king (25; cf. Deuteronomy 17:14-20). Many of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 10:25

wrote it in a book . Hebrew the book: viz. the book kept before the Lord; even the scriptures of truth. See Exodus 17:14 and App-47 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 10:25

SAMUEL'S INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE KINGSHIP"Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship; and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts the Lord had touched. But some worthless fellows said, "How can this man save us"? And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.""And he wrote them in a book... read more