1 Samuel 19:20

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Context of 1 Samuel 19:20

This verse is part of a dramatic narrative detailing King Saul's relentless pursuit of David, driven by intense jealousy and a desire to kill him. David, having escaped Saul's earlier attempts, fled to the prophet Samuel at Naioth in Ramah. Saul, determined to capture David, sends multiple groups of messengers to take him. This particular verse describes the first instance of divine intervention, where Saul's agents are unexpectedly overcome by the Spirit of God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Protection: The primary message is God's sovereign protection over David. Despite Saul's determined efforts and the threat posed by his messengers, God intervenes supernaturally to safeguard His anointed servant. This highlights the futility of human plans when they oppose God's will, demonstrating that the Lord protects those who trust in Him.
  • The Power of the Spirit of God: The Spirit of God is shown to be a powerful force that can compel even those with hostile intentions to act in ways they did not intend. The messengers, sent to seize David, instead begin to "prophesy," indicating a powerful, overwhelming spiritual experience that diverted them from their mission. This foreshadows later instances where Saul himself will be affected.
  • God's Frustration of Evil Intentions: Saul's attempts to harm David are repeatedly thwarted by God's direct intervention. The Spirit's descent upon the messengers is a clear sign that God Himself is standing between Saul and David, making it impossible for Saul to carry out his wicked designs.

Linguistic Insights

The term "prophesying" (Hebrew: naba) in this context does not necessarily mean foretelling the future. Instead, it often refers to an ecstatic state of inspired praise, worship, or utterance under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It could involve singing, dancing, or speaking forth praises to God. 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.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 19:20 offers profound encouragement for believers facing opposition or danger. It reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people and can use unexpected means to provide deliverance. When human schemes seem overwhelming, this verse points to God's ultimate sovereignty and His ability to turn even hostile situations into opportunities for His glory. It encourages us to trust in divine protection, even when the path ahead seems fraught with peril, knowing that God can disarm our adversaries.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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