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.

And the Spirit {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} will come {H6743} upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy {H5012} with them, and shalt be turned {H2015} into another {H312} man {H376}.

Then the Spirit of ADONAI will fall on you; you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man!

Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.

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

Commentary

First Samuel 10:6 records a pivotal prophecy given by the prophet Samuel to Saul, immediately after anointing him as Israel's first king. This verse describes one of the signs that would confirm God's choice and prepare Saul for his momentous new role.

Context

Following his private anointing by Samuel, Saul was given a series of specific signs to validate Samuel's words and demonstrate God's active hand in his calling. This particular sign involves Saul encountering a company of prophets, and upon this encounter, a profound spiritual experience is foretold. The events described here are crucial for understanding Saul's initial relationship with God and his preparation for leadership over Israel, a nation transitioning from a tribal confederacy to a monarchy. This prophecy serves as divine assurance for Saul and a public confirmation of his anointing.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment: The central theme is the direct intervention of God through His Spirit. The phrase "the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee" signifies a special impartation of divine power and anointing, essential for the tasks of leadership and prophecy. This was not a permanent indwelling as in the New Covenant, but a specific enablement for a divine purpose.
  • Prophetic Manifestation: Saul is told he "shalt prophesy with them." In this Old Testament context, prophesying often involved speaking under divine inspiration, which could include ecstatic praise, inspired utterances, or declarations of God's truth, rather than strictly foretelling the future. This spiritual activity would visibly mark him as one empowered by God.
  • Transformative Change: Perhaps the most striking promise is that Saul "shalt be turned into another man." This indicates a profound, God-wrought transformation, not merely physical but likely spiritual, mental, and emotional, equipping him with the necessary character, wisdom, and courage for the immense responsibilities of kingship. This change would make him suitable for the weighty task ahead.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "the Spirit of the LORD" is Ruach Yahweh (ืจื•ึผื—ึท ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื”), which signifies the active, powerful presence and energy of God. When this Ruach "comes upon" an individual, it denotes a special enablement for specific tasks, often associated with leadership, prophecy, or extraordinary strength, as seen with figures like Samson (Judges 14:6) or David (1 Samuel 16:13). The verb for "prophesy" (naba, ื ึธื‘ึธื) implies speaking by divine inspiration, often in an ecstatic or fervent manner. The phrase "turned into another man" emphasizes a fundamental alteration of being, a new capacity and identity bestowed by God for his calling.

Related Scriptures

  • The fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded in 1 Samuel 10:10, where Saul indeed prophesies.
  • Saul's later prophetic experiences, even in a different spiritual state, are mentioned in 1 Samuel 19:23-24, highlighting the enduring nature of his initial anointing, though his heart had turned.
  • The broader concept of spiritual transformation is a significant theme throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Testament's teaching on being a "new creature" in Christ.

Practical Application

First Samuel 10:6 offers timeless insights into God's equipping of those He calls. It reminds us that:

  • God Equips Whom He Calls: Just as Saul was divinely empowered for kingship, God provides the necessary abilities and spiritual resources for every task He assigns us. We are not expected to serve in our own strength.
  • Transformation is Part of the Journey: God often transforms our character and capabilities to align with His purposes. This "turning into another man" can be a continuous process of growth and sanctification, making us more suitable for His service.
  • Divine Presence Enables Ministry: The presence of the Holy Spirit is essential for effective ministry and living a life that honors God. We can pray for and rely on God's Spirit to enable us to speak and act according to His will, even if not in the same prophetic manner as in the Old Testament.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 10:10 (13 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Samuel 19:23 (10 votes)

    And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

  • 1 Samuel 19:24 (10 votes)

    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?

  • Numbers 11:25 (8 votes)

    And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, [that], when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

  • Judges 14:6 (7 votes)

    And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and [he had] nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

  • 1 Samuel 16:13 (7 votes)

    Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

  • Judges 3:10 (6 votes)

    And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.