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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:1 - 10:1
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1Sa 10:1-27. Samuel anoints Saul, and confirms him by the prediction of three signs.
Then Samuel took a vial of oil - This was the ancient (Jdg 9:8) ceremony of investiture with the royal office among the Hebrews and other Eastern nations. But there were two unctions to the kingly office; the one in private, by a prophet (1Sa 16:13), which was meant to be only a prophetic intimation of the person attaining that high dignity - the more public and formal inauguration (2Sa 2:4; 2Sa 5:3) was performed by the high priest, and perhaps with the holy oil, but that is not certain. The first of a dynasty was thus anointed, but not his heirs, unless the succession was disputed (1Ki 1:39; 2Ki 11:12; 2Ki 23:30; 2Ch 23:11).
kissed him - This salutation, as explained by the words that accompanied it, was an act of respectful homage, a token of congratulation to the new king (Psa 2:12).