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"Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head
of those who were invited--about thirty in number. Samuel said to the cook, `Bring the
piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside'. So the cook took up the leg
with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, `Here is what has been kept
for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion, from the time I said, I
have invited guests'. And Saul dined with Samuel that day" (9: 22-24).
I Samuel 10:
Saul had been shown the most fabulous honour and deference by the great
prophet-judge of Israel. All was now to be revealed to the unsuspecting son of Kish, the
unknown Benjamite. The gracious welcome as a distinguished guest, the courteous
hospitality at the great man's house, then Samuel's long private talk and instruction into
the night. The following morning he publicly pays honour to the young man by
accompanying him to the outskirts of the city. One arrival there he says to Saul, "Bid the
servant pass on before us, but stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of
God". So we now come to the first verse of chapter 10::
"Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said,
Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over His inheritance?".
In the margin of The Companion Bible, Dr. Bullinger writes that some ancient scribe
accidentally omitted the words, "and thou shalt rule among the people of Jehovah, and
thou shalt save them out of the hand of their enemies, and this shall be a sign unto thee,
that", this reading being preserved in the Septuagint and Vulgate. If this is so then the
reading from verse 1 to 2 would be as follows:
"Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over His inheritance, and
thou shalt rule among the people of Jehovah, and thou shalt save them out of the hand of
their enemies, and this shall be a sign unto thee, that when thou art departed from me
today, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulcher ...".
So Saul was anointed king of Israel in anticipation. He was set apart and sealed by the
oil that God had instructed Moses to be made for the consecration of the high priest at his
ordination (Exod. 30: 23-33).
After his anointing, Saul was given three signs that would happen to him on his way
home. These would confirm the honour and dignity placed upon him by Samuel and the
anointing as captain of His people. In Eph. 1:, speaking of the `prior-hope' and
inheritance to which his readers had been predestinated, the apostle Paul says, "also after
that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise". This sealing of the
members of the church which is His Body is not confirmed today by any outward signs,
or manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit, either `prophesying' as in the O.T. and also
gifts of healing, tongues, etc. during the Acts period. We walk by faith and not by sight.
Saul however, not living in this dispensation of the grace of God, evidence and proof
of his Divine appointment were given him. Three events would befall him as he and his
companion journeyed home at three places that held sacred memories in the hearts of all