1 Samuel 19:21

And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.

And when it was told {H5046} Saul {H7586}, he sent {H7971} other {H312} messengers {H4397}, and they prophesied {H5012} likewise. And Saul {H7586} sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} again {H3254} the third {H7992} time, and they prophesied {H5012} also.

When Sha'ul was told, he sent other messengers; but they too began prophesying. Sha'ul sent messengers a third time, and they also prophesied.

When this was reported to Saul, he sent more messengers, but they began to prophesy as well. So Saul tried again and sent messengers a third time, and even they began to prophesy.

And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied.

Commentary

1 Samuel 19:21 KJV continues the dramatic narrative of King Saul's relentless pursuit of David, whom God had chosen to replace him. This verse describes Saul's repeated, yet thwarted, attempts to capture David, as divine intervention repeatedly protects David through the power of the Spirit of God.

Context

Following David's heroic victory over Goliath and his rising popularity, King Saul's deep-seated jealousy and fear of David intensified. David had fled to Samuel in Naioth in Ramah to escape Saul's murderous intentions. In the preceding verses (1 Samuel 19:18-20), Saul had sent messengers to seize David, but upon arriving at the company of prophets led by Samuel, the Spirit of God came upon them, causing them to prophesy. Verse 21 shows Saul's stubborn refusal to give up, sending two more sets of messengers, only for the same miraculous event to occur, frustrating his plans.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection: This incident highlights God's sovereign protection over His anointed. Despite Saul's power as king, he is rendered powerless against God's will.
  • The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Spirit of God is depicted as an overwhelming force that can compel even Saul's messengers to act contrary to their king's orders, demonstrating divine authority over human will.
  • Futility of Opposing God's Will: Saul's repeated failures underscore the impossibility of thwarting God's plans. His efforts to harm David are met with a spiritual barrier that he cannot overcome.
  • Saul's Spiritual Decline: In stark contrast to his own earlier experience of prophesying (see 1 Samuel 10:10), Saul is now on the wrong side of divine intervention, indicating his increasing spiritual estrangement from God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb translated "prophesied" is nava (נָבָא). In this context, it refers to being overwhelmed by the Spirit of God, often accompanied by ecstatic behavior, chanting, or speaking under divine inspiration. It doesn't necessarily imply foretelling the future, but rather being seized by a spiritual power that directs one's actions or words.

Related Scriptures

  • The immediate preceding context is 1 Samuel 19:20, where the first group of messengers also prophesied.
  • This event culminates in 1 Samuel 19:23-24, where Saul himself goes to Naioth and is also overcome by the Spirit, even lying naked on the ground, further emphasizing God's complete control.
  • The broader theme of God's protection for His servants is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Psalm 121:7 or Romans 8:31, "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Samuel 19:21 offers several profound insights:

  • God's Sovereignty: It reminds us that God is ultimately in control, and no human scheme or power can thwart His divine purposes. When we face opposition, we can trust in His overarching plan.
  • Divine Intervention: Just as God intervened for David, He continues to work in our lives, often in unseen ways, to protect and guide us according to His will.
  • The Power of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit is a real and active force, capable of transforming situations and influencing hearts, even those hostile to God's agenda.
  • Trust in Adversity: When facing challenges or threats, this passage encourages us to place our trust in God's protective hand, knowing He can turn the intentions of adversaries into opportunities for His glory.
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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 27:22

    ΒΆ Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, [yet] will not his foolishness depart from him.

  • Joel 2:28

    ΒΆ 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:

  • 2 Kings 1:9

    ΒΆ Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.

  • 2 Kings 1:13

    And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

  • Jeremiah 13:23

    Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? [then] may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
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