Samuel Anoints Saul With Oil As The One Who Has Been Set Apart By YHWH As Permanent War-Leader (Nagid) Of Israel (1 Samuel 9:27 to 1 Samuel 10:1).
‘ As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Bid the servant pass on before us (and he passed on), but you stand still first, that I may cause you to hear the word of God.” '
When they reached the extremity of the city Samuel asked Saul to bid his servant to go on ahead. The servant would have been aware that something unusual was going on from the fact that they had been honoured guests at the feast) although he clearly did not know exactly what. But he must have recognised that some special honour was being conferred on Saul. However, the point was that Samuel wanted to have a private word with Saul so that he could communicate to him what God had determined.
‘ Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed him, and said, “Is it not that YHWH has anointed you to be war-leader over his inheritance?” '
The servant having moved on ahead Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him. Pouring oil on the head of guests was quite usual, as was the kiss of greeting, although usually it would have been expected to happen before this. However, if the servant saw anything he would probably assume that it was simply a farewell nicety. But Samuel explains to Saul the significance of what he is doing. He is anointing him because YHWH has ‘anointed him as war-leader over His inheritance.'
The idea of anointing was of dedication to YHWH's exclusive service. The person so anointed was made holy to YHWH (Leviticus 8:12). It would not necessarily include the idea of enduement. The priests were anointed but they received no special enduement of power. It was also the general practise in those days to anoint kings (Judges 9:8), probably also as an indication that they were directly in submission to their gods.
The kiss may have included the idea of submission to the new war-leader (Psalms 2:12), but it is probable in this case that it was rather a sign of his acceptance and welcome by God.
“Over His inheritance.” Compare Deuteronomy 4:20; Deuteronomy 9:26; etc. It was mainly the people who were His inheritance.