1 Samuel 10:7

Authorized King James Version

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And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֗ה H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 2 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָבֹ֛אינָה are come H935
תָבֹ֛אינָה are come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 3 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָֽאֹת֥וֹת And let it be when these signs H226
הָֽאֹת֥וֹת And let it be when these signs
Strong's: H226
Word #: 4 of 14
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
הָאֵ֖לֶּה H428
הָאֵ֖לֶּה
Strong's: H428
Word #: 5 of 14
these or those
לָ֑ךְ H0
לָ֑ךְ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 6 of 14
עֲשֵׂ֤ה unto thee that thou do H6213
עֲשֵׂ֤ה unto thee that thou do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 7 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְךָ֙ H0
לְךָ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 8 of 14
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּמְצָ֣א as occasion H4672
תִּמְצָ֣א as occasion
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
יָדֶ֔ךָ serve H3027
יָדֶ֔ךָ serve
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 11 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 12 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים thee for God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים thee for God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 13 of 14
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
עִמָּֽךְ׃ H5973
עִמָּֽךְ׃
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 14 of 14
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

Analysis & Commentary

And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.

Samuel's instruction 'do as occasion serve thee' translates the Hebrew 'aseh leka asher timtsa yadeka' - literally, 'do for yourself what your hand finds.' This grants Saul significant freedom to act according to circumstances as they arise. The foundation for such liberty is the assuring promise: 'God is with thee' (ha'elohim immak). This covenantal formula echoes God's promises to the patriarchs and later to David. It indicates divine presence, protection, and empowerment for the tasks ahead. However, this freedom operates within bounds Samuel will shortly specify (verse 8). The tension between Spirit-led initiative and prophetic instruction would become the testing ground for Saul's kingship. His failure to wait for Samuel at Gilgal (chapter 13) demonstrates the danger of presuming upon this freedom without maintaining proper boundaries of authority and obedience.

Historical Context

The phrase 'God is with you' (Immanuel theology) runs throughout Scripture as a foundational promise to covenant leaders. It assured Abraham (Genesis 21:22), Isaac (Genesis 26:28), Jacob (Genesis 28:15), Moses (Exodus 3:12), Joshua (Joshua 1:5), and later David. This promise distinguished Israel's kings from pagan monarchs who claimed divine status.

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