1 Samuel 10:12

KJV

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?

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Someone in the crowd answered, "Must prophets' fathers be special?" So it became an expression -"Is Sha'ul a prophet, too?"

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?”

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 10:12 captures the profound astonishment surrounding Saul's unexpected participation in a prophetic company, an event so remarkable it immediately became a widely recognized proverb. This moment, occurring shortly after his anointing as Israel's first king, powerfully illustrates God's sovereign ability to empower and transform individuals for His divine purposes, often in ways that defy human expectation and conventional wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a series of signs given to Saul by Samuel following his private anointing as king of Israel. In [1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Samuel Anoints Saul King"), Samuel anoints Saul, and then in [1 Samuel 10:2-7](/1_samuel/10-2 "1 Samuel 10:2-7 - Samuel's Prophetic Signs to Saul"), he provides three specific signs to confirm the divine legitimacy of his kingship. The third and most dramatic sign, detailed in [1 Samuel 10:5-6](/1_samuel/10-5 "1 Samuel 10:5-6 - The Spirit of the Lord Comes Upon Saul"), 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 fulfillment of this prophecy, highlighting the immediate and public reaction to Saul's transformation, solidifying the divine confirmation of his new royal identity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During this transitional period in Israel, moving from a tribal confederacy under judges to a centralized monarchy, prophets played a crucial role as God's direct spokespersons. There were often "schools of prophets" or companies of prophets who lived communally, under the guidance of a "father" figure (like Samuel). Prophecy was sometimes associated with ecstatic behavior, music, and a strong manifestation of the Spirit. Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin and a relatively obscure family, was not from a known prophetic lineage. The question "who is their father?" reflects the common understanding that prophetic ability might be inherited, learned, or passed down through a master-disciple relationship. Saul's spontaneous prophecy, therefore, was a significant departure from these norms, emphasizing that his prophetic anointing came directly from God's Spirit, not from human training or lineage.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme is **Divine Empowerment and Transformation**. Saul, a man previously known for searching for lost donkeys, is supernaturally gifted with prophetic ability, signifying his readiness for the monumental task of kingship. This demonstrates God's sovereign ability to equip those He calls, often transforming their very nature, as seen in the phrase "you shall be turned into another man" in [1 Samuel 10:6](/1_samuel/10-6 "1 Samuel 10:6 - Saul is Turned into Another Man"). Another key theme is **God's Unconventional Choices**. The proverb "Is Saul also among the prophets?" encapsulates the astonishment that God would choose someone from an unexpected background, not from a priestly or prophetic family, to manifest such spiritual power. This theme resonates with God's consistent pattern throughout Scripture of choosing the humble, the weak, or the overlooked to accomplish His mighty purposes, as further explored in [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish and Weak"). Finally, the passage touches on the **Nature of Prophecy**, emphasizing that its true source is the direct inspiration of the Spirit of God, rather than human lineage, training, or social standing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"father" (Hebrew, _’āḇ_):** This term, in the context of prophetic companies, likely refers to a leader, master, or founder of a prophetic school or community. The question "But who is their father?" implies a challenge to the perceived origin or legitimacy of Saul's prophetic activity. It suggests that 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.
* **"prophets" (Hebrew, _nāḇî’_):** Derived from a root meaning "to call" or "to announce," a _nāḇî’_ 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 inclusion among them, despite his lack of formal prophetic training or background, highlights the direct and sovereign nature of God's gifting.
* **"proverb" (Hebrew, _māšāl_):** This term denotes 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 _māšāl_ underscores the profound impact and widespread recognition of Saul's unexpected prophetic experience, signifying its cultural resonance and the astonishment it evoked.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And one of the same place answered and said, But who [is] their father?":** This clause captures the initial, bewildered reaction of the onlookers. 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. The surprise stems from Saul, a non-prophet, 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 astonishment or disbelief when someone acts entirely out of character or achieves something unexpected. 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.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices. 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 expressions of profound surprise, wonder, and perhaps a touch of disbelief. They underscore the unexpected nature of Saul's prophetic outburst. The second rhetorical question, "Is Saul also among the prophets?", also functions as a **Proverbial Saying**. Its immediate adoption into common speech emphasizes the memorable and impactful nature of the event, signifying its cultural resonance and the astonishment it evoked. Furthermore, there is a subtle layer of **Irony** at play, especially when considering Saul's later life. While initially a sign of divine favor and empowerment for kingship, the proverb reappears in [1 Samuel 19:24](/1_samuel/19-24 "1 Samuel 19:24 - Saul Prophesies Again Before Samuel"), where Saul's prophetic state is a sign of God's sovereign control over him, preventing him from harming David, rather than a mark of spiritual vitality. This later usage adds a poignant, almost tragic, dimension to the initial joyful astonishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal moment in Saul's life profoundly illustrates God's sovereignty over spiritual gifting and His freedom to choose and empower individuals irrespective of human expectations, lineage, or prior qualifications. It challenges the notion that divine service is confined to those from specific backgrounds or training, emphasizing that God's Spirit blows where it wills, transforming and equipping ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. The event highlights that true prophetic authority comes from divine anointing, not human inheritance or institutional affiliation, thus underscoring the direct and personal nature of God's interaction with His chosen vessels.

* [Numbers 11:29](/numbers/11-29 "Numbers 11:29 - Moses' Desire for All to Prophesy")
* [Joel 2:28-29](/joel/2-28 "Joel 2:28-29 - The Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh")
* [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish and Weak")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 10:12 serves as a powerful reminder that God's ways often transcend human logic and conventional wisdom. It calls us to cultivate an openness to God's surprising work, recognizing that He delights in using the unexpected, the overlooked, and the seemingly unqualified to accomplish His mighty purposes. For believers, this passage offers immense encouragement: if God calls you to a task, He will provide the necessary equipping, even if it feels foreign to your natural disposition or past experiences. It challenges us to release our preconceived notions of who is "fit" for God's service and instead embrace a posture of humility and availability, 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 we never imagined possible.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we tend to limit God's work based on human credentials, social standing, or our own expectations of who is "qualified"?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to step out in faith, trusting in His equipping and transformation rather than your own perceived abilities?**
* **How does the proverb "Is Saul also among the prophets?" challenge our assumptions about the source and nature of spiritual gifting in the church today?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Saul prophesying?**

Answer: Saul's prophesying was a profoundly significant event, serving multiple purposes. Firstly, it was a clear and public 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 equipping him for his new role, as foretold in [1 Samuel 10:6](/1_samuel/10-6 "1 Samuel 10:6 - The Spirit of the Lord Comes Upon Saul"). Secondly, it underscored God's sovereign choice and empowerment, showing that divine favor and spiritual gifting were not limited by lineage, social status, or formal training. It was a visible testament to God's ability to use anyone He chooses for His purposes, defying human expectations.

**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 same continuous sense as figures like Samuel or later, Elijah and Elisha. His prophetic activity, particularly in [1 Samuel 10:12](/1_samuel/10-12 "1 Samuel 10:12 - Is Saul Also Among the Prophets?"), was primarily a sign of his divine anointing for kingship and a demonstration of God's Spirit resting upon him for that purpose. The proverb "Is Saul also among the prophets?" reappears in a different context in [1 Samuel 19:24](/1_samuel/19-24 "1 Samuel 19:24 - Saul Prophesies Again Before Samuel"), where Saul again prophesies before Samuel's company, but this time it seems to be a manifestation of God's 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 disobedience, and he was tormented by an evil spirit from the Lord ([1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit of the Lord Departs from Saul")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The astonishment surrounding Saul's unexpected prophetic outburst in [1 Samuel 10:12](/1_samuel/10-12 "1 Samuel 10:12 - Is Saul Also Among the Prophets?") finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly 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, as seen at His baptism in [Matthew 3:16](/matthew/3-16 "Matthew 3:16 - Jesus' Baptism"). He came from the seemingly insignificant town of Nazareth ([John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Can Anything Good Come Out of Nazareth?")), challenging the expectations of His day, much like the question "Is Saul also among the prophets?" Jesus is the Prophet like Moses ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses")), speaking the very words of God with unparalleled authority ([John 12:49-50](/john/12-49 "John 12:49-50 - Jesus Speaks What the Father Commands")). Moreover, the outpouring of the Spirit on Saul foreshadows the New Covenant reality where the Spirit is poured out on all believers, making them a "royal priesthood" and a "holy nation" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), empowered to bear witness to Christ ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - You Will Be My Witnesses")). 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](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), empowered by the indwelling Spirit to live lives that testify to God's surprising and transformative grace.

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.