King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 10:25 Mean?

1 Samuel 10:25 in the King James Version says “Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samue...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 10:25 · KJV

Context

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.

27

But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace. held: or, was as though he had been deaf

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Commentary

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

Samuel formally establishes constitutional boundaries by declaring 'the manner of the kingdom' (mishpat hammelukah). This 'manner' or 'judgment' likely expanded upon the royal regulations of Deuteronomy 17:14-20, which limited royal acquisition of horses, wives, and wealth while requiring personal Torah study. Writing these regulations 'in a book' (sepher) and placing them 'before the LORD' created covenant documentation, witnessed by God Himself in His sanctuary. This act constitutionalized the monarchy: Israelite kingship would be limited, regulated, and accountable to divine law. The dismissal 'every man to his house' concludes the formal assembly while anticipating the narrative of the 'worthless fellows' who rejected Saul. Samuel's constitutional work attempted to prevent the abuses he had warned about (8:11-18), though subsequent history would show how rarely kings honored these limits.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written covenant documents placed in sanctuaries were standard ancient Near Eastern practice. The Hittite suzerainty treaties, for instance, required copies to be deposited in temples. Samuel's action followed this pattern while giving it distinctly Israelite meaning: the king served under divine law, not above it.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is written accountability important for those in positions of power?
  2. How does Israel's constitutional monarchy challenge both absolute monarchy and unfettered democracy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר1 of 19

“told”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

שְׁמוּאֵ֛ל2 of 19

“And Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶל3 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָ֖ם4 of 19

“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

אֵ֚ת5 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִשְׁפַּ֣ט6 of 19

“the manner”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

הַמְּלֻכָ֔ה7 of 19

“of the kingdom”

H4410

something ruled, i.e., a realm

וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב8 of 19

“and wrote”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

בַּסֵּ֔פֶר9 of 19

“it in a book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

וַיַּנַּ֖ח10 of 19

“and laid it up”

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

לִפְנֵ֣י11 of 19

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֑ה12 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיְשַׁלַּ֧ח13 of 19

“away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

שְׁמוּאֵ֛ל14 of 19

“And Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶת15 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל16 of 19
H3605

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

הָעָ֖ם17 of 19

“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

אִ֥ישׁ18 of 19

“every man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְבֵיתֽוֹ׃19 of 19

“to his house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

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 10:25 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 10:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 8:11-18Deuteronomy 17:14-201 Timothy 2:2Ezekiel 45:9-10Titus 3:11 Peter 2:13-14

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