1 Samuel 10:23-27 ESV

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 10:23

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:26

And Saul also went home to Gibeah ,.... His native place, where was his father's house, to which he retired; where were no royal palace, or princely court, nor any of the ensigns of kingly majesty; and whither it does not appear that he was followed by the nobility or princes of the tribes, only accompanied by a few men, as next observed: and there went with him a band of men ; an army, or part of one they seem to be military men, at least men of strength, valour, and courage; gallant... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:27

But the children of Belial said ,.... Wicked, dissolute, lawless persons; men without a yoke, as the word signifies, who did not care to be under the yoke of government, at least not under the yoke of Saul; and these might be men of wealth, and of larger tribes, and better families than Saul was of, and therefore envied him, and thought themselves better for government than he was; and in a jeering scornful manner said: how shall this man save us ? whose family is so mean, and whose... 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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 10:26

A band of men - Not a military band, as I imagine, but some secret friends, or companions, who were personally attached to him. Others think that all the men fit to bear arms are intended; but this seems inconsistent with the life that Saul led for some time afterwards; for he appears to have gone into his agricultural concerns, and waited for a call from the Divine providence. See 1 Samuel 11:5 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 10:27

Brought him no presents - They gave him no proofs that they acknowledged either the Divine appointment or his authority. The Arab chiefs are, to this day, when on a march or excursion of any kind, supplied with every necessary by the free-will offerings or presents of the people in the villages or places where they encamp. Saul was now a public character, and had a right to support from the public. These sons of Belial refused to bear their part; they brought him no presents. He marked... read more

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:27

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 10:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 10:27

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