1Sa 10:1 | JFB | STEP | . Samuel Anoints Saul, and Confirms Him by the Prediction of Three Signs. 1. Then Samuel took a vial of oil-- This was the ancient ( ) 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 ( ), which was meant to be only a prophetic intimation of the person attaining that high dignity--the more public and formal inauguration ( ; ) 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 ( ; ; ; ). 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 ( ).

‏ 1 Samuel 10:1

CHAPTER 10

1Sa 10:1-27. Samuel Anoints Saul, and Confirms Him by the Prediction of Three Signs.

1. Then Samuel took a vial of oil--This was the ancient (Jud 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; 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; 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).