1 Samuel 10:1 says, 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? After talking with Saul privately, Samuel anointed him with oil and kissed him, which was much like our handshake in America today, though the kiss on the cheek is still a way of greeting people in many cultures even today. Samuel asked Saul if it wasn't because God had appointed Saul captain of Isreal that he did this. Anointing was also something done with priests and signified the transfer of the role of the leadership of Israel from the priests to the king. I believe he was asking if Saul understood why Samuel did it. It doesn't do much good to be appointed to a position and not know it. Verse two adds, When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? Samuel then gave Saul further instructions concerning the asses he was looking for. Samuel gave Saul specific details about what he would encounter, which when they occurred would confirm Samuel's position as a prophet. We can be certain that if people tell us that they have had a vision from God today that if they have, it will happen just as they said it would. Of course, not everything that people claim to be a vision from God that then happens is necessarily a vision from God. The great deceiver, Satan, can sometimes cause things to happen so that they appear to be miracles from God. Samuel also told Saul that he would be told that his father was sorrowful for him, and was asking what he could do for Saul. Verse three continues, Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: Samuel then told Saul that after he met the two men at Rachel's tomb who would tell him about the asses, he was to continue on to the plain of Tabor, where he would meet three men going to Bethel, and he was specific about what each of them would have with them. Of course, in order to know if this was true, Saul had to do what Samuel told him to do. Saul could have decided that since his mission from his father was accomplished, even if it did seem miraculous that Samuel told him so many details about it, that he would just return home. As followers of Christ, we may at times miss out on greater blessings because we meet our original goal, and then just return home instead of pressing on ahead. Verse four states, And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. Samuel said these three men would greet Saul, and give him two of the three loaves of bread that they had, and Saul was to receive it from them. In order to receive a blessing from God, we must be willing to receive it. Verse five adds, After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: Samuel told Saul after this he was to come to the hill of God, where a garrison of Philistines were stationed. Samuel said that there Saul would encounter a company of prophets, and told him all the musical instuments they would have with them. Of course, this still required that Saul continue on by faith in what Samuel had told him. If we are going to be successful in our Christian walk today, we must always continue on by faith in God. Verse six continues, And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. Samuel then told Saul that the Spirit of the LORD would come on him then, he would prophesy with these prophets, and he would be changed into a different man. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to indwelll us, and we are changed into a different person. Verse seven declares, And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. Samuel told Saul because, not if, when these signs occurred, to do as the occasion called for, by God's guidance, because God was with him. Of course, we should do what God calls us to do today because He is with us. Verse eight adds, And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do. Samuel then told Saul that after this, he was to go to Gilgal and wait for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices to God for Saul. He said that Saul was to wait there seven days before he came and told Saul what he was to do. Sometimes, we may have to wait to see what God wants us to do next, and that may be difficult to do. Saul had been wanting to return home, and now if he were to follow Samuel's instructions, he would be further delayed in doing so and have a totally different mission in life. We cannot afford to let our plans come between us and God's calling for us.
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