John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:1
Then Samuel took a vial of oil ,.... Out of his pocket very probably, which he brought along with him on purpose for the use he made of it: this, as the Jews F25 T. Bab. Horayot, fol. 11. 2. & 12. 1. say, was not the anointing oil that was in the tabernacle, which was at another and distant place, and with which only the kings of the house of David were anointed; but common oil, or, as they say, oil of balsam; and this was not an horn, but a vial, which held a small quantity, and... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:1-8
Samuel is here executing the office of a prophet, giving Saul full assurance from God that he should be king, as he was afterwards, according to these prophecies which went before of him. I. He anointed him and kissed him, 1 Sam. 10:1. This was not done in a solemn assembly, but it was done by divine appointment, which made up the want of all external solemnities, nor was it ever the less valid for its being done in private, under a hedge, or, as the Jews say, by a fountain. God's institutions... read more