1Sa 10 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-8 The sacred anointing, then used, pointed at the great Messiah, or Anointed One, the King of the church, and High Priest of our profession, who was anointed with the oil of the Spirit, not by measure, but without measure, and above all the priests and princes of the Jewish church. For Saul's further satisfaction, Samuel gives him some signs which should come to pass the same day. The first place he directs him to, was the sepulchre of one of his ancestors; there he must be reminded of his own mortality, and now that he had a crown before him, must think of his grave, in which all his honour would be laid in the dust. From the time of Samuel there appears to have been schools, or places where pious young men were brought up in the knowledge of Divine things. Saul should find himself strongly moved to join with them, and should be turned into another man from what he had been. The Spirit of God changes men, wonderfully transforms them. Saul, by praising God in the communion of saints, became another man, but it may be questioned if he became a new man.

‏ 1 Samuel 10

* Samuel anoints Saul. (1-8) Saul prophesies. (9-16) Saul chosen

king. (17-27)

1-8 The sacred anointing, then used, pointed at the great

Messiah, or Anointed One, the King of the church, and High

Priest of our profession, who was anointed with the oil of the

Spirit, not by measure, but without measure, and above all the

priests and princes of the Jewish church. For Saul's further

satisfaction, Samuel gives him some signs which should come to

pass the same day. The first place he directs him to, was the

sepulchre of one of his ancestors; there he must be reminded of

his own mortality, and now that he had a crown before him, must

think of his grave, in which all his honour would be laid in the

dust. From the time of Samuel there appears to have been

schools, or places where pious young men were brought up in the

knowledge of Divine things. Saul should find himself strongly

moved to join with them, and should be turned into another man

from what he had been. The Spirit of God changes men,

wonderfully transforms them. Saul, by praising God in the

communion of saints, became another man, but it may be

questioned if he became a new man. 9-16 The signs Samuel had given Saul, came to pass punctually;

he found that God had given him another heart, another

disposition of mind. Yet let not an outward show of devotion,

and a sudden change for the present, be too much relied on; Saul

among the prophets was Saul still. His being anointed was kept

private. He leaves it to God to carry on his own work by Samuel,

and sits still, to see how the matter will fall. 17-27 Samuel tells the people, Ye have this day rejected your

God. So little fond was Saul now of that power, which soon

after, when he possessed it, he could not think of parting with,

that he hid himself. It is good to be conscious of our

unworthiness and insufficiency for the services to which we are

called; but men should not go into the contrary extreme, by

refusing the employments to which the Lord and the church call

them. The greater part of the people treated the matter with

indifference. Saul modestly went home to his own house, but was

attended by a band of men whose hearts God disposed to support

his authority. If the heart bend at any time the right way, it

is because He has touched it. One touch is enough when it is

Divine. Others despised him. Thus differently are men affected

to our exalted Redeemer. There is a remnant who submit to him,

and follow him wherever he goes; they are those whose hearts God

has touched, whom he has made willing. But there are others who

despise him, who ask, How shall this man save us? They are

offended in him, and they will be punished.