1 Samuel 10:11

KJV

And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What [is] this [that] is come unto the son of Kish? [Is] Saul also among the prophets?

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when all that knew {H3045} him beforetime {H865}{H8032} saw {H7200} that, behold, he prophesied {H5012} among the prophets {H5030}, then the people {H5971} said {H559} one {H376} to another {H7453}, What is this that is come unto the son {H1121} of Kish {H7027}? Is Saul {H7586} also among the prophets {H5030}?

Complete Jewish Bible

When those who knew him from before saw him there, prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, "What's happened to Kish's son? Is Sha'ul a prophet, too?"

Berean Standard Bible

All those who had formerly known Saul and saw him prophesying with the prophets asked one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 10:11 captures a pivotal moment in the life of Saul, Israel's first king, as he undergoes a public, Spirit-empowered transformation. Witnessing Saul, a man previously unknown for spiritual inclination, prophesying among a company of prophets, those who knew him were struck with profound astonishment. Their bewildered question, "Is Saul also among the prophets?", became a proverbial expression of surprise at God's unexpected choice and the dramatic, visible evidence of divine anointing and empowerment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Samuel's secret anointing of Saul as king in [1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Samuel Anoints Saul"). As a series of signs to confirm God's choice and empower Saul for his new role, Samuel prophesied specific encounters, including one where Saul would meet a company of prophets descending from the high place. It was predicted that "the Spirit of the Lord will come mightily upon you, and you shall prophesy with them and be turned into another man" ([1 Samuel 10:6](/1_samuel/10-6 "1 Samuel 10:6 - The Spirit Comes Upon Saul")). The events of [1 Samuel 10:9-10](/1_samuel/10-9 "1 Samuel 10:9-10 - God Gives Saul a New Heart") describe how God indeed gave Saul a new heart, and the Spirit of God came upon him, leading directly to the fulfillment of Samuel's prophecy as Saul joined the prophets. This public display served as a crucial validation of his divine appointment, transitioning from a private anointing to a public manifestation of God's hand upon him, setting the stage for his presentation as king to all Israel in [1 Samuel 10:17-27](/1_samuel/10-17 "1 Samuel 10:17-27 - Saul is Chosen King at Mizpah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, prophecy was a recognized, though often spontaneous, phenomenon. Companies or "schools" of prophets, such as those associated with Samuel, existed as communities dedicated to spiritual pursuit, often characterized by ecstatic worship, music, and inspired utterances. Saul, however, hailed from the tribe of Benjamin, a relatively minor tribe, and from a family not associated with prophetic or priestly lineage. He was known primarily as a strong, tall young man seeking his father's lost donkeys ([1 Samuel 9:1-2](/1_samuel/9-1 "1 Samuel 9:1-2 - Saul's Background")). His sudden immersion in prophetic activity, especially in an ecstatic manner, would have been profoundly unexpected and even shocking to those who knew him, challenging their preconceived notions of who could be a vessel for divine inspiration. This public, visible transformation was essential in a culture that valued tangible signs of divine favor and authority.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes illuminated by this verse include **divine election and empowerment**, demonstrating God's sovereign ability to choose and equip individuals for His purposes, irrespective of their background or prior disposition. Saul's transformation underscores the theme of **God's unexpected ways**, as He often works through those least expected, challenging human wisdom and societal norms. The astonishment of the people highlights the **supernatural nature of the Spirit's work**, which can dramatically alter a person's character and capabilities. Furthermore, the public nature of Saul's prophecy serves as a **public confirmation of God's choice**, validating his anointing and preparing the people to accept him as their divinely appointed king, a theme that recurs in [1 Samuel 19:24](/1_samuel/19-24 "1 Samuel 19:24 - Saul Prophesies Again").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prophesied (Hebrew, _naba'_):** This verb describes an inspired utterance, often ecstatic and fervent, under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit. It doesn't exclusively mean foretelling the future, but rather speaking forth God's message, praise, or truth in a divinely empowered manner. In this context, it signifies a profound spiritual experience where Saul was overcome by the Spirit of God, joining the company of prophets in their Spirit-led expressions. This was a visible, audible manifestation of God's presence and power working through him.
* **Son of Kish (Hebrew, _ben Qish_):** This phrase emphasizes Saul's ordinary, non-royal, and non-prophetic lineage. Kish was a respected but otherwise unremarkable man from the tribe of Benjamin. By referring to Saul as "the son of Kish," the people underscore the stark contrast between his humble, familiar background and his sudden, extraordinary spiritual activity. It highlights the unexpectedness of God's choice and the dramatic nature of His transformative power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets,"**: This clause establishes the setting and the surprising event. "All that knew him beforetime" refers to Saul's acquaintances, family, and neighbors—those familiar with his ordinary life and character. Their observation of him "prophesying among the prophets" signifies a public, undeniable display of spiritual activity, fulfilling Samuel's earlier prophecy. The term "behold" (Hebrew, _hinneh_) emphasizes the suddenness and unexpected nature of this sight, drawing the reader's attention to the profound shift in Saul's demeanor and actions.
* **"then the people said one to another, What [is] this [that] is come unto the son of Kish?"**: This part captures the immediate, bewildered reaction of the onlookers. Their question is one of utter astonishment and disbelief. It expresses a struggle to reconcile the Saul they knew—the son of Kish, a simple farmer's son—with the Spirit-filled prophet before their eyes. This rhetorical question conveys their perplexity and the extraordinary nature of the event, indicating that Saul's transformation was truly remarkable and outside their expectations.
* **"[Is] Saul also among the prophets?"**: This is the culmination of their surprise, becoming a proverbial saying. The question is rhetorical, expressing incredulity. It implies that Saul was the *least* likely person they would expect to see among a company of prophets. This phrase became a well-known proverb (reappearing in [1 Samuel 19:24](/1_samuel/19-24 "1 Samuel 19:24 - Saul Prophesies Again")), signifying a surprising or unexpected transformation, or someone acting entirely out of character, especially in a divinely inspired manner.

#### Literary Devices
The passage powerfully employs **Rhetorical Question** ("What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?"). These questions are not posed to elicit information but to express the profound astonishment and incredulity of the onlookers. They underscore the unexpected nature of Saul's transformation and the divine power at work. Furthermore, the phrase "Is Saul also among the prophets?" functions as a **Proverbial Saying**, indicating that this event was so striking and memorable that it entered the common lexicon, used to describe any surprising or uncharacteristic display of spiritual or unusual behavior. There is also an element of **Irony** and **Contrast** at play, as the ordinary "son of Kish" is dramatically contrasted with the extraordinary, Spirit-filled prophet, highlighting God's ability to choose and empower unlikely individuals.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 10:11 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign election and the transformative power of His Spirit. It demonstrates that God's choice is not limited by human lineage, social standing, or prior experience, but is based purely on His divine purpose. The Spirit of God is shown to be capable of radically changing an individual, equipping them with gifts and abilities far beyond their natural capacity, thereby confirming God's anointing and validating His chosen leader. This event served as a public sign to Israel that Saul's appointment was indeed from the Lord, instilling a sense of awe and wonder at God's mysterious ways.

* [1 Samuel 10:6](/1_samuel/10-6 "Samuel's Prophecy to Saul")
* [1 Samuel 19:20-24](/1_samuel/19-20 "Saul Prophesies Again")
* [Numbers 11:25-29](/numbers/11-25 "Eldad and Medad Prophesy in the Camp")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound astonishment of those who knew Saul serves as a timeless reminder that God's ways are often beyond our comprehension and expectations. Just as Saul, the unassuming "son of Kish," was suddenly empowered to prophesy, so too can God choose and equip anyone for His purposes, regardless of their background, past mistakes, or perceived limitations. This challenges us to look beyond superficial appearances and human qualifications, recognizing that the Holy Spirit can transform and use the most unexpected individuals for His glory. It encourages us to remain open to God's surprising work in our own lives and in the lives of others, fostering humility and a deeper reliance on His power rather than our own abilities or societal norms. We are called to embrace the divine empowerment that enables us to participate in God's redemptive work, even when it feels outside our comfort zone or natural gifting.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be limiting God's ability to use me or others, based on preconceived notions or past experiences?**
* **How does Saul's unexpected transformation challenge my understanding of who God calls and equips for ministry?**
* **What "ordinary" aspects of my life might God want to supernaturally empower for His purposes?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater openness to the Holy Spirit's surprising work in my community and the world?**

### FAQ

**What does "prophesied among the prophets" mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "prophesied among the prophets" (Hebrew: _naba'_) refers to Saul being overcome by the Spirit of God and joining a company of prophets in their ecstatic, inspired utterances. This was not necessarily about foretelling specific future events, but rather about speaking forth under divine inspiration, often involving fervent praise, prayer, or spontaneous declarations of God's truth. It signifies a profound spiritual experience where Saul was visibly and audibly transformed by the Holy Spirit, demonstrating God's hand upon him and fulfilling Samuel's prophecy from [1 Samuel 10:6](/1_samuel/10-6 "1 Samuel 10:6 - The Spirit Comes Upon Saul").

**Why was the question "Is Saul also among the prophets?" so significant?**

Answer: The question "Is Saul also among the prophets?" became a proverbial saying in Israel because it perfectly captured the profound astonishment and incredulity of the people. Saul was from an ordinary, non-prophetic family in the tribe of Benjamin ([1 Samuel 9:1-2](/1_samuel/9-1 "1 Samuel 9:1-2 - Saul's Background")), not known for spiritual fervor. His sudden, public display of prophecy was completely unexpected and challenged everyone's assumptions about who God would choose and empower. The phrase highlights God's sovereign and often surprising choice of individuals, demonstrating that His Spirit can transform anyone for His purposes, regardless of their background or previous disposition. It reappears later in [1 Samuel 19:24](/1_samuel/19-24 "1 Samuel 19:24 - Saul Prophesies Again"), underscoring its lasting impact.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Samuel 10:11 describes the Spirit's temporary empowering of Saul for a specific kingly task, it foreshadows the ultimate and permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit available to all believers through Christ. Saul's transformation, though dramatic, was external and conditional, eventually departing from him due to disobedience ([1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit Departs from Saul")). In contrast, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate Prophet, King, and Priest, was fully anointed by the Spirit without measure ([John 3:34](/john/3-34 "John 3:34 - Jesus Receives the Spirit Without Measure")). His life, ministry, and resurrection paved the way for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")), permanently indwelling all who believe in Him. The astonishment at Saul's prophecy points to the even greater wonder of God choosing ordinary individuals—not just kings or prophets, but all who confess Christ—to be filled with His Spirit, enabling them to bear witness to Him ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - You Will Receive Power")) and to live transformed lives, reflecting the very character of Christ ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")). Thus, Saul's experience, while unique to his calling, serves as a shadow of the glorious reality of the Spirit's work in the new covenant, making every believer a "son of God" empowered for His purposes, no longer prompting the question, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" but rather, "Are we not all empowered by the Spirit of Christ?"

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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?

John 7:15

And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

Matthew 13:54

And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?

Matthew 13:55

Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Acts 3:10

And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

Acts 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 2:7

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?