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 10:25KJV
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1 Samuel 10:25 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 10:25 mean?

1 Samuel 10:25 describes how Samuel explained the rules and expectations of Israel’s new monarchy to the people, wrote them down in a book, placed the book before the LORD, and then sent everyone home. This verse shows Samuel formally setting out the guidelines for the kingdom as Saul becomes king.

Samuel, acting as both prophet and judge, addresses the gathered Israelites after Saul’s selection as king. He makes sure the people understand what having a king will mean by giving them clear instructions, which he records in writing and dedicates to God’s presence. The verse ends with the people dismissed, marking the official start of Israel’s monarchy under Saul.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 10:25

  • "manner" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word means "judgment," "ordinance," or "regulation." Here, it refers to the specific rules or legal framework for how the kingdom should operate, not just general customs.
  • "kingdom" (מַמְלָכָה, mamlakhah): This word means "kingdom" or "royal rule." Samuel is not just talking about a king, but the entire system and structure of monarchy.
  • "book" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This is a physical scroll or written record. The act of writing the rules down and placing them before the LORD gives them a sense of permanence and divine witness.

Why 1 Samuel 10:25 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s monarchy was not left vague or unwritten; Samuel set out specific guidelines, showing the seriousness and structure behind the new system.
  • By writing the rules and placing them before the LORD, Samuel emphasizes that the king is accountable not just to the people, but to God.
  • The verse connects to the wider story by showing that the transition to monarchy was handled thoughtfully and with spiritual oversight, not just political excitement.

Where else these words appear

“kingdom” Hebrew H4410 · used in 23 verses

  • 1 Samuel 10:16 And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.
  • 1 Kings 2:15 And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother's: for it was his from the LORD.
  • Psalms 22:28 For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

“up” Hebrew H3240 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
  • Judges 3:1 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
  • Ecclesiastes 2:18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.