When did Samuel anoint Saul as Israel's first king?
Israel asks for a king; Samuel anoints Saul son of Kish.
Samuel Anoints Saul took place c. 1050 BC at Ramah and Mizpeh, during the United Kingdom period of Bible history. The account is recorded in 1 Samuel 8:7 (KJV). Israel asks for a king; Samuel anoints Saul son of Kish.
"And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." — 1 Samuel 8:7 (KJV)
The elders of Israel demanded a king like the nations. The LORD told Samuel, 'they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me.' Samuel anointed Saul son of Kish, a Benjamite, with a vial of oil and proclaimed him king before all Israel at Mizpeh.
c. 1050 BC
Ramah and Mizpeh
Key KJV Scriptures
"And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."
"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?"
Why It Matters
Saul's anointing opens Israel's monarchy and the long road that leads, through David, to the true King — Jesus, Son of David.
Key People
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God give Israel a king if it displeased Him?
He gave them what they demanded as a mercy and a discipline, while still working His sovereign plan to raise up David — and through David, the Messiah.
When did samuel anoints saul happen?
Samuel Anoints Saul is dated c. 1050 BC, placing it in the United Kingdom era of biblical history. See 1 Samuel 8:7 (KJV).
Where did samuel anoints saul take place?
Scripture places samuel anoints saul at Ramah and Mizpeh.
Who was involved in samuel anoints saul?
The key figures are Samuel, Saul, Israel's elders.
Where is samuel anoints saul in the Bible?
You can read about it in 1 Samuel 8:7, 1 Samuel 10:1 (King James Version).
Why does samuel anoints saul matter?
Saul's anointing opens Israel's monarchy and the long road that leads, through David, to the true King — Jesus, Son of David.
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