King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 10:24 Mean?

1 Samuel 10:24 in the King James Version says “And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the peopl... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king. God: Heb. Let the king live

1 Samuel 10:24 · KJV


Context

22

Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.

23

And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.

24

And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king. God: Heb. Let the king live

25

Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.

26

And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

Samuel's presentation uses emphatic language: 'See ye' (hare'item) commands visual attention; 'whom the LORD hath chosen' (bachar YHWH) affirms divine election; 'none like him' (ein kamohu) declares uniqueness. The phrase 'among all the people' creates irony - uniqueness based on physical height, not spiritual stature. The acclamation 'God save the king' (yechi hammelek) literally means 'Let the king live!' This Hebrew expression became the standard coronation formula, echoing through Israel's royal history. The 'shouting' (ruah) connotes a loud cry of acclamation, sometimes used for battle cries or worship shouts. This moment of unified celebration would prove fleeting; before chapter's end, 'children of Belial' despised Saul (v. 27). The people's initial enthusiasm parallels many who receive the gospel joyfully but fall away (Matthew 13:20-21).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Royal acclamations were common throughout the ancient Near East at coronations. The formula 'Long live the king!' appears in various forms in Akkadian, Egyptian, and other ancient texts. Israel's version, while following this cultural pattern, explicitly invoked Yahweh's blessing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How quickly can popular enthusiasm turn to opposition in your experience?
  2. What is the difference between celebrating God's choice and evaluating by human standards?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ1 of 21

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵ֜ל2 of 21

And Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל4 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֛ם5 of 21

And all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַרְּאִיתֶם֙6 of 21

See

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּֽחַר8 of 21

hath chosen

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

בּ֣וֹ9 of 21
H0
יְהוָ֔ה10 of 21

ye him whom the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּ֛י11 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵ֥ין12 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

כָּמֹ֖הוּ13 of 21
H3644

as, thus, so

בְּכָל14 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֛ם15 of 21

And all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וַיָּרִ֧עוּ16 of 21

shouted

H7321

to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)

כָל17 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֛ם18 of 21

And all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ19 of 21

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְחִ֥י20 of 21

God save

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃21 of 21

the king

H4428

a king


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 10:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 10:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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