1 Samuel 10:12

Translation
King James Version
And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?
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KJV (with Strong's)
And one H376 of the same place answered H6030 and said H559, But who is their father H1? Therefore it became a proverb H4912, Is Saul H7586 also among the prophets H5030?
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Complete Jewish Bible
Someone in the crowd answered, "Must prophets' fathers be special?" So it became an expression -"Is Sha'ul a prophet, too?"
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Berean Standard Bible
Then a man who lived there replied, “And who is their father?” So the saying became a proverb: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
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American Standard Version
And one of the same place answered and said, And who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?
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World English Bible Messianic
One of the same place answered, “Who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And one of the same place answered, and said, But who is their father? Therefore it was a prouerbe, Is Saul also among the Prophets?
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Young's Literal Translation
And a man thence answereth and saith, `And who is their father?' therefore it hath been for a simile, `Is Saul also among the prophets?'
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See also
Isaiah 54:13John 6:45John 7:16James 1:17
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In the KJVVerse 7,431 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

1 Samuel 10:12 vividly recounts the profound astonishment surrounding Saul's unexpected participation in a company of prophets, an event so remarkable that it immediately crystallized into a widely circulated proverb. This pivotal moment, occurring shortly after his private anointing as Israel's first king, powerfully demonstrates God's sovereign ability to empower and transform individuals for His divine purposes, often in ways that defy human expectation, conventional wisdom, and established norms.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse serves as the climactic fulfillment of the third and most dramatic sign given to Saul by Samuel following his private anointing as king of Israel. In 1 Samuel 10:1, Samuel anoints Saul, and then in 1 Samuel 10:2-7, he provides three specific, sequential signs designed to confirm the divine legitimacy of Saul's kingship and prepare him for his new role. The third sign, detailed in 1 Samuel 10:5-6, explicitly predicts that Saul would encounter a company of prophets descending from the high place, and "the Spirit of the Lord will come mightily upon you, and you shall prophesy with them and be turned into another man." Verse 12 describes the immediate, public, and astonishing fulfillment of this prophecy, highlighting the widespread reaction to Saul's transformation and solidifying the divine confirmation of his new royal identity and empowerment.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: During the transition from a tribal confederacy under judges to a centralized monarchy in Israel, prophets played an indispensable role as God's direct spokespersons, often serving as spiritual guides and checks on kingship. Companies or "schools of prophets" were common, typically living communally under the guidance of a "father" figure (like Samuel), and their prophetic activity sometimes involved ecstatic behavior, music, and a strong manifestation of the Spirit. Saul, hailing from the relatively obscure tribe of Benjamin and an unremarkable family, was not from a known prophetic lineage, nor was he trained in such a school. The question "who is their father?" reflects the common assumption that prophetic ability was often inherited, learned, or passed down through a master-disciple relationship. Saul's spontaneous, Spirit-induced prophecy, therefore, was a significant departure from these established norms, emphatically demonstrating that his prophetic anointing and transformation came directly from God's Spirit, rather than from human training, lineage, or social standing.
  • Key Themes: The central theme underscored by this verse is Divine Empowerment and Transformation. Saul, previously known for mundane tasks like searching for lost donkeys, is supernaturally gifted with prophetic ability, signifying his readiness for the monumental task of kingship. This powerfully illustrates God's sovereign capacity to equip those He calls, often transforming their very nature, as explicitly stated in the prophecy: "you shall be turned into another man" (1 Samuel 10:6). Another crucial theme is God's Unconventional Choices. The proverb "Is Saul also among the prophets?" encapsulates the profound astonishment that God would choose someone from an unexpected background, not from a priestly or prophetic family, to manifest such potent spiritual power. This theme resonates deeply with God's consistent pattern throughout Scripture of choosing the humble, the weak, or the overlooked to accomplish His mighty purposes, a principle powerfully articulated in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. Finally, the passage illuminates the Nature of Prophecy, emphasizing that its true source is the direct inspiration and anointing of the Spirit of God, rather than human lineage, formal training, or social standing.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • father (Hebrew, ʼâb, H1): This primitive word, meaning "father" in both literal and figurative senses, here likely refers to a leader, master, or founder of a prophetic school or community. In the context of "who is their father?", it challenges the perceived origin or legitimacy of Saul's prophetic activity. The onlookers expected prophetic ability to stem from a known lineage or a recognized prophetic mentor, rather than a direct, spontaneous outpouring of God's Spirit on an uninitiated individual like Saul, highlighting the divine, rather than human, source of his empowerment.
  • prophets (Hebrew, nâbîyʼ, H5030): Derived from a root meaning "to call" or "to announce," a nâbîyʼ is one who speaks for God, delivering a divine message or acting as God's spokesperson. In this context, it refers to individuals under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit, manifesting ecstatic or inspired utterances. Saul's unexpected inclusion among them, despite his lack of formal prophetic training or background, underscores the direct and sovereign nature of God's gifting, which transcends human qualifications.
  • proverb (Hebrew, mâshâl, H4912): This term, meaning a pithy maxim or simile, refers to a popular saying, an adage, or a byword that encapsulates a commonly understood truth or reflects a significant, memorable event. The fact that "Is Saul also among the prophets?" immediately became a mâshâl underscores the profound impact and widespread recognition of Saul's unexpected prophetic experience, signifying its cultural resonance and the deep astonishment it evoked among the people.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And one of the same place answered and said, But who [is] their father?": This clause captures the immediate, bewildered reaction of the onlookers to Saul's prophetic outburst. Their question reveals a deeply ingrained cultural understanding of prophecy, where prophetic activity was typically associated with established groups or individuals under a recognized spiritual leader or "father." The surprise stems from Saul, a non-prophet from an un-prophetic background, engaging in such behavior, prompting them to question the source or legitimacy of this unexpected spiritual manifestation. It subtly points to the divine, rather than human, origin of Saul's empowerment.
  • "Therefore it became a proverb, [Is] Saul also among the prophets?": This concluding clause explains the lasting impact of the event. The phrase becoming a proverb signifies its widespread adoption as a popular saying, used to express profound astonishment or disbelief when someone acts entirely out of character, achieves something unexpected, or manifests an ability previously thought impossible for them. It highlights the profound impression Saul's Spirit-empowered transformation made on the community, serving as a constant reminder of God's surprising and unconventional ways of working, challenging human assumptions about who God can use.

Literary Devices

The verse masterfully employs several literary devices to convey the profound impact of Saul's transformation. The most prominent is the Rhetorical Question, posed twice: "But who is their father?" and "Is Saul also among the prophets?" These are not genuine inquiries seeking information but powerful expressions of profound surprise, wonder, and perhaps a touch of disbelief from the onlookers. They effectively underscore the utterly unexpected nature of Saul's prophetic outburst. The second rhetorical question, "Is Saul also among the prophets?", also functions as a Proverbial Saying (or byword). Its immediate adoption into common speech emphasizes the memorable and impactful nature of the event, signifying its widespread cultural resonance and the deep astonishment it evoked. Furthermore, there is a poignant layer of Irony at play, especially when considering the trajectory of Saul's later life. While initially a sign of divine favor and empowerment for kingship, the proverb reappears in 1 Samuel 19:24, where Saul's prophetic state is not a mark of spiritual vitality but rather a manifestation of God's sovereign control over him, preventing him from harming David. This later usage casts a tragic shadow over the initial joyful astonishment, highlighting the conditional nature of divine anointing when not met with obedience.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This pivotal moment in Saul's life profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over spiritual gifting and His freedom to choose and empower individuals irrespective of human expectations, lineage, or prior qualifications. It challenges the deeply ingrained notion that divine service is confined to those from specific backgrounds, families, or training institutions, emphatically emphasizing that God's Spirit blows where it wills, transforming and equipping ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. The event highlights that true prophetic authority and spiritual empowerment come directly from divine anointing, not from human inheritance, institutional affiliation, or personal merit, thus underscoring the direct and personal nature of God's interaction with His chosen vessels. It is a powerful testament to God's ability to work outside human conventions.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

1 Samuel 10:12 serves as a profound and enduring reminder that God's ways often transcend human logic, conventional wisdom, and our limited expectations. It calls us, as believers, to cultivate an active openness to God's surprising and unconventional work, recognizing that He delights in using the unexpected, the overlooked, and the seemingly unqualified to accomplish His mighty purposes. For individuals seeking to serve God, this passage offers immense encouragement: if God calls you to a task, He will undoubtedly provide the necessary equipping and transformation, even if it feels foreign to your natural disposition, past experiences, or perceived abilities. It challenges us to release our preconceived notions of who is "fit" for God's service and instead embrace a posture of humility, availability, and eager expectation, trusting that divine calling always comes with divine empowering. We are invited to marvel at God's transformative power, which can turn anyone into "another man" or "another woman" for His glory, enabling us to step into roles and fulfill purposes we never imagined possible.

Questions for Reflection

  • How do we, consciously or unconsciously, tend to limit God's work based on human credentials, social standing, or our own expectations of who is "qualified" for ministry or service?
  • In what areas of your life might God be calling you to step out in faith, trusting in His equipping and transformation rather than relying solely on your own perceived abilities or lack thereof?
  • How does the proverb "Is Saul also among the prophets?" challenge our contemporary assumptions about the source, nature, and manifestation of spiritual gifting and leadership within the church today?

FAQ

What was the significance of Saul prophesying?

Answer: Saul's prophesying was a profoundly significant and multi-faceted event. Firstly, it served as a clear, public, and undeniable sign confirming Samuel's private anointing of Saul as king. It demonstrated that the Spirit of the Lord had indeed come mightily upon him, transforming him and supernaturally equipping him for his new royal role, precisely as foretold in 1 Samuel 10:6. Secondly, it underscored God's sovereign choice and empowerment, visibly showing that divine favor and spiritual gifting were not limited by human lineage, social status, or formal training. It was a powerful, visible testament to God's ability to use anyone He chooses for His purposes, defying human expectations and demonstrating His unconstrained power.

Did Saul remain a prophet throughout his reign?

Answer: While Saul was undeniably empowered by the Spirit for specific prophetic acts at the beginning of his reign, he was not primarily a prophet in the continuous, lifelong sense as figures like Samuel, Elijah, or Elisha. His initial prophetic activity, particularly in 1 Samuel 10:12, was primarily a sign of his divine anointing for kingship and a demonstration of God's Spirit resting upon him for that specific purpose. The proverb "Is Saul also among the prophets?" reappears in a different, more somber context in 1 Samuel 19:24, where Saul again prophesies before Samuel's company, but this time it seems to be a manifestation of God's sovereign control over him, preventing him from harming David, rather than a sign of ongoing spiritual vitality or a prophetic ministry. As Saul's reign progressed, his relationship with the Spirit deteriorated due to his persistent disobedience, leading to the Spirit of the Lord departing from him and an evil spirit tormenting him (1 Samuel 16:14).

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The profound astonishment surrounding Saul's unexpected prophetic outburst in 1 Samuel 10:12 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who uniquely embodies the unexpected, Spirit-empowered Prophet-King. Just as Saul was "turned into another man" by the Spirit for his kingly anointing, Jesus, though fully God, was uniquely anointed by the Holy Spirit for His messianic mission, a truth powerfully revealed at His baptism when the Spirit descended upon Him like a dove (Matthew 3:16). He came from the seemingly insignificant town of Nazareth (John 1:46), challenging the preconceived notions and expectations of His day, much like the question "Is Saul also among the prophets?" Jesus is the Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15), speaking the very words of God with unparalleled authority and truth (John 12:49-50). Moreover, the outpouring of the Spirit on Saul foreshadows the glorious New Covenant reality, inaugurated by Christ, where the Spirit is poured out on all believers, making them a "royal priesthood" and a "holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9), empowered to bear witness to Christ to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Through Christ, the "new man" transformation experienced by Saul becomes a spiritual reality for all who are "in Christ," becoming a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17), empowered by the indwelling Spirit to live lives that testify to God's surprising, unconventional, and eternally transformative grace.

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Commentary on 1 Samuel 10 verses 9–16

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

Saul has now taken his leave of Samuel, much amazed, we may well suppose, at what has been done to him, almost ready to question whether he be awake or no, and whether it be not all a dream. Now here we are told,

I. What occurred by the way, Sa1 10:9. Those signs which Samuel had given him came to pass very punctually; but that which gave him the greatest satisfaction of all was this, he found immediately that God had given him another heart. A new fire was kindled in his breast, such as he had never before been acquainted with: seeking the asses is quite out of his mind, and he thinks of nothing but fighting the Philistines, redressing the grievances of Israel, making laws, administering justice, and providing for the public safety; these are the things that now fill his head. He finds himself raised to such a pitch of boldness and bravery as he never thought he should be conscious of. He has no longer the heart of a husbandman, which is low, and mean, and narrow, and concerned only about his corn and cattle; but the heart of a statesman, a general, a prince. Whom God calls to any service he will make fit for it. If he advance to another station, he will give another heart, to those who sincerely desire to serve him with their power.

II. What occurred when he came near home. They came to the hill (Sa1 10:10), that is, to Gibeah, or Geba, which signifies a hill, and so the Chaldee here takes it as a proper name; he met with the prophets as Samuel had told him, and the Spirit of God came upon him, strongly and suddenly (so the word signifies), but not so as to rest and abide upon him. It came on so as to go off quickly. However, for the present, it had a strange effect upon him; for he immediately joined with the prophets in their devotion, and that with as much decorum and as great a transport of affection as any of them: He prophesied among them. Now,

1.His prophesying was publicly taken notice of, Sa1 10:11, Sa1 10:12. He was now among his acquaintance, who, when they saw him among the prophets, called one another to come and see a strange sight. This would prepare them to accept him as a king, though one of themselves, when they had seen how God had advanced him to the honour of a prophet. The seventy elders prophesied before they were made judges, Num 11:25. Now, (1.) They all wondered to see Saul among the prophets: What is this that has come to the son of Kish? Though this school of the prophets was near his father's house, yet he had never associated with them, nor shown them any respect, perhaps had sometimes spoken slightly of them; and now to see him prophesying among them was a surprise to them, as it was long after when his namesake, in the New Testament, preached that gospel which he had before persecuted, Act 9:21. Where God gives another heart it will soon show itself. (2.) One of them, that was wiser than the rest, asked, "Who is their father, or instructor? Is is not God? Are they not all taught of him? Do they not all owe their gifts to him? And is he limited? Cannot he make Saul a prophet, as well as any of them, if he please?" Or, "Is not Samuel their father?" Under God, he was so; and Saul had now lately been with him, which, by his servant, he might know. No marvel for him to prophesy who lay last night under Samuel's roof. (3.) It became a proverb, commonly used in Israel, when they would express their wonder at a bad man's either becoming good, or at least being found in good company, Is Saul among the prophets? Note, Saul among the prophets is a wonder to a proverb. Let not the worst be despaired of, yet let not an external show of devotion, and a sudden change for the present, be too much relied on; for Saul among the prophets was Saul still.

2.His being anointed was kept private. When he had done prophesying, (1.) It should seem he uttered all his words before the Lord, and recommended the affair to his favour, for he went straight to the high place (Sa1 10:13), to give God thanks for his mercies to him and to pray for the continuance of those mercies. But, (2.) He industriously concealed from his relations what had passed. His uncle, who met with him either at the high place or as soon as he came home, examined him, Sa1 10:14. Saul owned, for his servant knew it, that they had been with Samuel, and that he told them the asses were found, but said not a word of the kingdom, Sa1 10:14, Sa1 10:15. This was an instance, [1.] Of his humility. Many a one would have been so elated with this surprising elevation as to proclaim it upon the house-top. But Saul, though he might please himself with it in his own breast, did not pride himself in it among his neighbours. The heirs of the kingdom of glory are well enough pleased that the world knows them not, Jo1 3:1. [2.] Of his prudence. Had he been forward to proclaim it, he would have been envied, and he knew not what difficulty that might have created him. Samuel had communicated it to him as a secret, and he knows how to keep counsel. Thus it appears that he had another heart, a heart fit for government. [3.] Of his dependence upon God. He does not go about to make an interest for himself, but leaves it to God to carry on his own work by Samuel, and, for his own part, sits still, to see how the matter will fall.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 9–16. Public domain.
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Richard ChallonerAD 1781
Their father: That is, their teacher, or superior. As much as to say, Who could bring about such a wonderful change as to make Saul a prophet?
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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