1 Samuel 10:10

And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

And when they came {H935} thither to the hill {H1389}, behold, a company {H2256} of prophets {H5030} met {H7125} him; and the Spirit {H7307} of God {H430} came {H6743} upon him, and he prophesied {H5012} among {H8432} them.

When they arrived at the hill, and there in front of him was a group of prophets, the Spirit of God fell on him and he prophesied along with them.

When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them.

And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came mightily upon him, and he prophesied among them.

Context

This verse describes the culmination of the third sign given to Saul by the prophet Samuel, following Saul's private anointing as king (1 Samuel 10:1). Having met two men near Rachel's sepulchre and three men at the plain of Tabor, Saul and his servant arrived at "the hill," which is identified in 1 Samuel 10:5 as Gibeah of God (or Gibeah of Elohim). This location was known to have a Philistine garrison and a company of prophets. The encounter here was a public and profound confirmation of God's hand upon Saul, validating Samuel's prophetic words and preparing Saul for his new, unexpected role as Israel's first king.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment and Anointing: The central theme is the supernatural empowerment of Saul by the Spirit of God. This was not merely a personal spiritual experience but a divine equipping for leadership, demonstrating that God provides the necessary abilities for those He calls to service.
  • Prophetic Confirmation: Saul's uncharacteristic act of prophesying among the prophets served as undeniable proof that God had indeed chosen and set him apart. It was a visible sign that God's Spirit was upon him, fulfilling Samuel's prophecy and confirming Saul's anointing.
  • Transformation: This event marked a significant transformation in Saul. As Samuel had foretold in 1 Samuel 10:6, he would be "turned into another man." His participation in prophetic worship indicated a shift from his previous life, preparing him for the weighty responsibilities of kingship.
  • God's Unexpected Choices: Saul was from the smallest tribe (Benjamin) and a humble family. His sudden inclusion among prophets and his anointing as king highlight God's sovereignty in choosing and using individuals from all walks of life for His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the Spirit of God came upon him" uses the Hebrew term Ruach Elohim (רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים), which signifies the active, empowering presence of God. This is a common Old Testament expression for divine enablement, often associated with judges, leaders, and prophets (e.g., Judges 3:10). The verb "prophesied" comes from the Hebrew root naba (נָבָא), which means to speak under divine inspiration. In this context, it likely refers to an ecstatic utterance, perhaps involving praise or declaration of God's greatness, rather than necessarily foretelling the future. The "company of prophets" suggests a community or school of prophets, possibly associated with Samuel, dedicated to worship and spiritual training.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us that God equips those He calls. When God gives a task, He also provides the ability and empowerment through His Spirit. Secondly, divine enablement can manifest in unexpected ways, even causing individuals to act outside their natural inclinations or comfort zones for God's glory. Saul, who was seemingly shy and unassuming, became a prophet. This demonstrates that God can use anyone, regardless of background or perceived limitations. Finally, the narrative encourages us to recognize and embrace the transformative power of God's Spirit in our lives, allowing Him to shape us into the people He intends us to be, ready to fulfill His purposes.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Samuel 10:5

    After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where [is] the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:

  • 1 Samuel 10:6

    And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

  • 1 Samuel 19:20

    And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing [as] appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

  • 1 Samuel 19:24

    And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, [Is] Saul also among the prophets?
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