The public selection of Israel's first king reaches its conclusion, marking a significant transition in leadership. To formalize this historic moment, the prophet establishes the legal foundation of the new government before dismissing the gathered nation, even though practical acceptance of the ruler is not yet fully complete.
Samuel teaches the people the laws governing the monarchy. The primary approach among commentators is that these are the proper, just laws mandated by the Torah. They define the limits of the king's authority, the people's obligation to fear and respect him, and the appropriate punishment for anyone who rebels [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רלב״ג, שטיינזלץ]. This balanced and institutionalized legal system stands in sharp contrast to the warnings Samuel delivered earlier, which described an arbitrary ruler who would oppress the people and take their property by force [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. However, another perspective suggests that Samuel did, in fact, repeat those very warnings about the dangers of a corrupt monarchy, choosing to caution the people one last time as the events unfolded [אברבנאל].
To firmly establish these rules and ensure they are not viewed as mere recommendations, Samuel writes them down. He then places the document before God, either next to or inside the Ark of the Covenant. This physical record serves as a permanent testimony and a lasting memory for all future generations [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, אלשיך, אברבנאל].
Following this ceremony, Samuel sends everyone back to their homes. Dismissing the crowd immediately after a coronation is unexpected, as the masses would typically remain to escort and honor their new king. One explanation is that Samuel sent the people home with the explicit purpose of gathering fitting tributes, as they had not arrived with gifts prepared. His intention was for Saul to remain in place and receive these offerings to solidify his royal status. However, when Saul realized the people were in no rush to bring him tribute, his spirits fell. He remained silent in the face of those who disrespected him and simply returned to his own house [אלשיך].
Alternatively, the dispersal of the crowd reflects a harsher reality: there was no genuine national consensus regarding Saul's appointment. Even though God had chosen him through Samuel, the nation had not yet embraced him wholeheartedly. Skeptics mocked him because he came from Benjamin, the youngest and smallest of the tribes, doubting his ability to save them. Consequently, Saul returned home as an ordinary citizen rather than wearing a royal crown. He chose to wait until his future military triumph over Ammon would finally compel the nation to grant him complete and absolute recognition [אברבנאל].