Being seated at the head of the table is to be put in a place of honour. Saul is receiving tokens of the new status that is about to be conferred upon him. He is also being introduced to thirty representatives of the people, most likely men with influence.1 Samuel knows that humanely speaking, the authority of the king depends on the goodwill and support of the powerful landowning and military aristocracy, which is likely why he arranged for this meal ahead of time.2
22 Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons.