1 Samuel 19:20

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Saul {H7586} sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} to take {H3947} David {H1732}: and when they saw {H7200} the company {H3862} of the prophets {H5030} prophesying {H5012}, and Samuel {H8050} standing {H5975} as appointed {H5324} over them, the Spirit {H7307} of God {H430} was upon the messengers {H4397} of Saul {H7586}, and they also prophesied {H5012}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sha'ul sent messengers to capture David. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Sh'mu'el standing and leading them, the Spirit of God fell on Sha'ul's messengers; and they too began prophesying.

Berean Standard Bible

he sent messengers to capture him. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came upon them, and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 19:20 describes the initial divine intervention in King Saul's relentless pursuit of David, where Saul's messengers, sent to apprehend David, are unexpectedly overcome by the Spirit of God upon encountering the prophetic company led by Samuel at Naioth in Ramah. This miraculous event thwarts Saul's immediate plans, demonstrating God's sovereign protection over David and the irresistible power of His Spirit to redirect human intentions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a highly dramatic and escalating conflict between King Saul and David. Following David's victories and growing popularity, Saul's jealousy intensifies, leading to repeated attempts on David's life, as seen in [1 Samuel 18:10-11](/1_samuel/18-10 "1 Samuel 18:10-11 - Saul's First Attempt to Kill David") and [1 Samuel 19:9-10](/1_samuel/19-9 "1 Samuel 19:9-10 - Saul's Second Attempt to Kill David"). David has just narrowly escaped Saul's spear and fled to Samuel in Naioth, a prophetic center in Ramah, seeking refuge and spiritual counsel. Saul's desperate determination to capture David leads him to dispatch multiple groups of messengers, culminating in his own journey to Naioth, each attempt met with divine intervention. The narrative emphasizes God's unwavering commitment to David, His chosen king, despite Saul's increasingly irrational and violent opposition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of "Naioth in Ramah" refers to a specific location associated with a "company of prophets" (often translated as a "school" or "community" of prophets). These were groups of individuals who lived together under the leadership of a prominent prophet, like Samuel, dedicating themselves to spiritual training, worship, and prophetic utterance. Their activities often involved music, ecstatic worship, and speaking under the influence of the Spirit. The concept of the "Spirit of God" coming "upon" individuals was a recognized phenomenon in ancient Israel, typically empowering them for specific tasks, leadership, or prophetic declarations, as seen with judges like Samson ([Judges 14:6](/judges/14-6 "Judges 14:6 - The Spirit of the Lord on Samson")) or King Saul himself in his early days ([1 Samuel 10:6](/1_samuel/10-6 "1 Samuel 10:6 - The Spirit of the Lord Comes on Saul")). This context highlights that the Spirit's influence was a powerful, often overwhelming, force that could compel actions beyond one's own will.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several overarching themes within 1 Samuel. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Protection** and **Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's active involvement in safeguarding His anointed servant, David, against the malicious intentions of King Saul. Despite Saul's escalating efforts, God repeatedly intervenes, rendering human schemes futile when they oppose His divine will. Secondly, it highlights the **Irresistible Power of the Spirit of God**. The Spirit is portrayed not merely as an internal conviction but as an external, compelling force that can override human agency, even in those with hostile intentions, redirecting them from their mission. This foreshadows the Spirit's later impact on Saul himself in [1 Samuel 19:23-24](/1_samuel/19-23 "1 Samuel 19:23-24 - Saul Prophesies"). Thirdly, the narrative emphasizes **God's Frustration of Evil Intentions**, showing that no human power, even that of a king, can thwart God's ultimate plan for His chosen one.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prophesying (Hebrew, _nābā'_):** In this context, "prophesying" does not primarily refer to foretelling the future. Instead, it describes an ecstatic state of inspired utterance, praise, or worship under the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit. This could involve singing, dancing, or speaking forth praises to God, often in a communal setting. For Saul's messengers, it was a sudden, involuntary spiritual experience that rendered them incapable of fulfilling their violent task, demonstrating the Spirit's power to momentarily transform even hostile individuals.
* **Spirit of God (Hebrew, _rûaḥ ʾĔlōhîm'_):** This term refers to the active, dynamic presence and power of God. In the Old Testament, the "Spirit of God" often empowers individuals for specific tasks (e.g., craftsmanship, leadership, prophecy) or manifests as a divine wind or breath that brings about supernatural effects. Here, the Spirit's descent upon the messengers is a clear manifestation of divine power, directly intervening in human affairs to protect David and thwart Saul's wicked designs. It signifies God's direct and personal involvement in the unfolding drama.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul sent messengers to take David:"** This opening clause establishes Saul's malicious intent and his active pursuit of David. It highlights the king's determination to eliminate his perceived rival, setting the stage for the divine counter-action. Saul's action is a deliberate, calculated move to capture David, reflecting his spiraling jealousy and paranoia.
* **"and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing [as] appointed over them,"** This describes the scene encountered by Saul's messengers. The "company of the prophets" indicates an established community engaged in spiritual activity, likely worship and ecstatic praise. Samuel's presence as their leader signifies the legitimacy and divine authority of this prophetic group, making it a sacred space where God's Spirit was actively at work. The sight of this spiritual fervor is the catalyst for the subsequent divine intervention.
* **"the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied."** This is the climactic moment of divine intervention. Instead of seizing David, the messengers are overwhelmed by the same Spirit that animated the prophets. The phrase "was upon" denotes a powerful, external, and compelling anointing. As a result, they are compelled to "prophesy," meaning they join in the ecstatic worship or inspired utterance, rendering them unable to complete their mission. This demonstrates God's sovereign ability to disarm adversaries and protect His chosen one by spiritual means.

#### Literary Devices
The passage masterfully employs several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Saul's agents, sent with the express purpose of capturing David, are instead "captured" by the Spirit of God, rendering them ineffective. Their mission of violence is subverted by an unexpected spiritual outpouring. This divine **Divine Intervention** serves as a recurring narrative device throughout the story of David's rise, emphasizing God's active hand in shaping history and protecting His chosen. The repetition of Saul sending messengers (three times, followed by Saul himself) creates a pattern of escalating divine frustration, building narrative tension and highlighting the futility of human opposition against God's will. This also functions as **Foreshadowing**, preparing the reader for Saul's own similar, yet more profound, encounter with the Spirit in the subsequent verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 19:20 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign protection over His anointed and the irresistible nature of His Spirit. It reveals that no human scheme, however well-planned or forcefully executed, can thwart God's divine purpose. The Spirit of God is shown as an active agent, capable of intervening directly in human affairs, even to the point of overriding the will of those hostile to God's chosen. This event serves as a profound reminder that God is not a passive observer but an active participant in the lives of His people, capable of turning the intentions of adversaries into instruments for His glory or rendering them powerless. This divine intervention underscores the futility of fighting against God's will and provides immense encouragement for those who trust in His unfailing providence.

* [Psalm 34:7](/psalms/34-7 "Psalm 34:7 - The Angel of the Lord Encamps")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God Is For Us")
* [Acts 2:17-18](/acts/2-17 "Acts 2:17-18 - The Spirit Poured Out")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage offers profound encouragement for believers facing opposition, persecution, or seemingly insurmountable challenges. It reminds us that God's protection is not limited to conventional means but can manifest in unexpected, even miraculous, ways. When human adversaries seem to hold all the power, 1 Samuel 19:20 points us to the ultimate sovereignty of God, whose Spirit can disarm, redirect, or even transform those who seek to do harm. It calls us to trust implicitly in God's active involvement in our lives, knowing that He is able to turn the tables on our enemies and ensure His purposes prevail. Our role is to remain faithful, like David, seeking refuge in God's presence, even when the path ahead seems fraught with peril, confident that His divine hand is at work, orchestrating deliverance and demonstrating His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this account of divine intervention challenge your understanding of God's protection in your own life?**
* **In what situations have you witnessed God's Spirit unexpectedly redirecting or disarming hostile intentions?**
* **What does the Spirit's power to compel even adversaries to "prophesy" teach us about the nature of God's sovereignty?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's unconventional methods of deliverance when facing difficult circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that the messengers "prophesied" and why was it significant?**

Answer: In this context, "prophesying" (Hebrew: *nābā'*) does not necessarily mean foretelling the future. Instead, it refers to an ecstatic state of inspired praise, worship, or utterance under the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit. It could involve singing, dancing, or speaking forth praises to God in a communal setting, as was common among prophetic companies. The significance lies in the fact that these messengers, sent by King Saul with the hostile intent to capture David, were instead overwhelmed by the Spirit of God upon encountering Samuel and the company of prophets. This involuntary spiritual experience rendered them incapable of fulfilling their violent mission, demonstrating the irresistible power of God's Spirit to override human will and thwart wicked designs. It was a clear sign of divine intervention, protecting David and frustrating Saul's plans, highlighting God's sovereignty over human intentions, as also seen when Saul himself would later prophesy in [1 Samuel 19:23-24](/1_samuel/19-23 "1 Samuel 19:23-24 - Saul Prophesies").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine protection of David in 1 Samuel 19:20, orchestrated by the irresistible power of the Spirit of God, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate protection and triumph of God's greater Anointed One, Jesus Christ. David, though a king, was merely a type of the true King who would come. Just as God thwarted Saul's attempts to destroy His chosen servant David, so too did God ultimately secure the victory of His Son, Jesus, against all human and demonic opposition. The Spirit's power to disarm hostile intentions in the Old Testament points to the Spirit's transformative work in the New Covenant, empowering believers and convicting the world ([John 16:8](/john/16-8 "John 16:8 - The Spirit Convicts the World")). The Spirit who came upon the messengers and caused them to prophesy is the same Spirit who descended upon Jesus at His baptism ([Luke 3:22](/luke/3-22 "Luke 3:22 - Jesus' Baptism")), empowered His ministry ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus Anointed by the Spirit")), and was poured out on the church at Pentecost ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")). Ultimately, the futility of Saul's efforts against David prefigures the utter futility of all human and spiritual forces attempting to thwart God's redemptive plan through Christ's death and resurrection. The victory secured by the Spirit in David's life finds its ultimate and eternal fulfillment in the triumph of the Lamb of God, who forever reigns over all opposition ([Revelation 17:14](/revelation/17-14 "Revelation 17:14 - The Lamb Will Conquer")).

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

Joel 2:28

¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

John 7:32

The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

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 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.

1 Samuel 19:14

And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He [is] sick.

1 Samuel 19:11

¶ Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.