10 Samuel took the flask of oil,(A) poured it out on Saul’s head,(B) kissed him, and said, “Hasn’t the Lord anointed you(C) ruler over His inheritance?[a](D) Today when you leave me, you’ll find two men at Rachel’s Grave(E) at Zelzah in the land of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you went looking for have been found,(F) and now your father has stopped being concerned about the donkeys and is worried about you, asking: What should I do about my son?’

“You will proceed from there until you come to the oak of Tabor.(G) Three men going up to God at Bethel(H) will meet you there, one bringing three goats, one bringing three loaves of bread, and one bringing a skin of wine. They will ask how you are and give you two loaves[b] of bread, which you will accept from them.

“After that you will come to the Hill of God[c](I) where there are Philistine garrisons.[d] When you arrive at the city, you will meet a group of prophets(J) coming down from the high place prophesying.(K) They will be preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres. The Spirit of the Lord will control you,(L) you will prophesy with them,(M) and you will be transformed into a different person.(N) When these signs have happened to you, do whatever your circumstances require[e](O) because God is with you. Afterward, go ahead of me to Gilgal. I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice fellowship offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what to do.”

When Saul turned around[f] to leave Samuel, God changed his heart,[g] and all the signs came about that day.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 10:1 LXX adds And you will reign over the Lord’s people, and you will save them from the hand of their enemies all around. And this is the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you ruler over his inheritance.
  2. 1 Samuel 10:4 DSS, LXX read wave offerings
  3. 1 Samuel 10:5 Or to Gibeath-elohim
  4. 1 Samuel 10:5 Or governors
  5. 1 Samuel 10:7 Lit do for yourself whatever your hand finds
  6. 1 Samuel 10:9 Lit turned his shoulder
  7. 1 Samuel 10:9 Lit God turned to him another heart

10 Then Samuel took a flask(A) of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the Lord anointed(B) you ruler over his inheritance?[a](C) When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb,(D) at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys(E) you set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried(F) about you. He is asking, “What shall I do about my son?”’

“Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to worship God at Bethel(G) will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread,(H) which you will accept from them.

“After that you will go to Gibeah(I) of God, where there is a Philistine outpost.(J) As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets(K) coming down from the high place(L) with lyres, timbrels,(M) pipes(N) and harps(O) being played before them, and they will be prophesying.(P) The Spirit(Q) of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed(R) into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever(S) your hand(T) finds to do, for God is with(U) you.

“Go down ahead of me to Gilgal.(V) I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven(W) days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.”

Saul Made King

As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed(X) Saul’s heart, and all these signs(Y) were fulfilled(Z) that day.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 10:1 Hebrew; Septuagint and Vulgate over his people Israel? You will reign over the Lord’s people and save them from the power of their enemies round about. And this will be a sign to you that the Lord has anointed you ruler over his inheritance: