Lit., Has not Jehovah anointed…? God’s purpose in anointing Saul to be king was to discipline, to train, the children of Israel by means of a negative king, so that they would learn that replacing God with a king was not a matter of blessing (v. 19; 12:17, 19).

Or, Gibeah-haelohim.

Or, Gibeah.

Some MSS read, to Him.

Saul was made king by the casting of lots (vv. 20-23a) to prove that he was chosen by God. Cf. note Josh. 14:2^1a.

Moses gave the law to the children of Israel, but before Samuel came they did not have a set of bylaws, a constitution. Samuel taught the people the bylaws, the constitution, the practice, the customs, the manners, the ordinances, and the rules of how to practice the kingdom of God on earth.