1 Samuel 10:24

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ and said H559
וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 21
to say (used with great latitude)
שְׁמוּאֵ֜ל And Samuel H8050
שְׁמוּאֵ֜ל And Samuel
Strong's: H8050
Word #: 2 of 21
shemuel, the name of three israelites
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 21
near, with or among; often in general, to
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 4 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֛ם And all the people H5971
הָעָ֛ם And all the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 5 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַרְּאִיתֶם֙ See H7200
הַרְּאִיתֶם֙ See
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 6 of 21
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּֽחַר hath chosen H977
בָּֽחַר hath chosen
Strong's: H977
Word #: 8 of 21
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
בּ֣וֹ H0
בּ֣וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 9 of 21
יְהוָ֔ה ye him whom the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה ye him whom the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֛י H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 11 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵ֥ין H369
אֵ֥ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 12 of 21
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
כָּמֹ֖הוּ H3644
כָּמֹ֖הוּ
Strong's: H3644
Word #: 13 of 21
as, thus, so
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֛ם And all the people H5971
הָעָ֛ם And all the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 15 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיָּרִ֧עוּ shouted H7321
וַיָּרִ֧עוּ shouted
Strong's: H7321
Word #: 16 of 21
to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 17 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֛ם And all the people H5971
הָעָ֛ם And all the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 18 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ and said H559
וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 19 of 21
to say (used with great latitude)
יְחִ֥י God save H2421
יְחִ֥י God save
Strong's: H2421
Word #: 20 of 21
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ the king H4428
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 21 of 21
a king

Analysis & 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).

Historical 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.

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