Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.
The Lord sent me to anoint thee ... now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the ... Lord. Several years had been passed in unsuccessful military operations against troublesome neighbours; and during these Saul had been left to act in great measure at his own discretion as an independent prince. Now a new test is proposed of his possessing the character of a theocratic monarch in Israel; and in announcing the duty required of him, Samuel brought before him his official station as the Lord's vicegerent, and the special obligation under which he was laid to act in that capacity. He had formerly done wrong, for which a severe rebuke and threatening were administered to him (1 Samuel 13:13-14). Now an opportunity was afforded him of retrieving that error by an exact obedience to the divine command.