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:
Original Language Analysis
אַ֣חַר
After
H310
אַ֣חַר
After
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
1 of 25
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כֵּ֗ן
H3651
כֵּ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כְבֹֽאֲךָ֙
and it shall come to pass when thou art come thither
H935
כְבֹֽאֲךָ֙
and it shall come to pass when thou art come thither
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 25
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
נְצִבֵ֣י
where is the garrison
H5333
נְצִבֵ֣י
where is the garrison
Strong's:
H5333
Word #:
8 of 25
something stationary, i.e., a prefect, a military post, a statue
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
9 of 25
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וִיהִי֩
H1961
וִיהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְבֹֽאֲךָ֙
and it shall come to pass when thou art come thither
H935
כְבֹֽאֲךָ֙
and it shall come to pass when thou art come thither
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁ֜ם
H8033
הָעִ֗יר
to the city
H5892
הָעִ֗יר
to the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
13 of 25
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וּפָֽגַעְתָּ֞
that thou shalt meet
H6293
וּפָֽגַעְתָּ֞
that thou shalt meet
Strong's:
H6293
Word #:
14 of 25
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
יֹֽרְדִ֣ים
coming down
H3381
יֹֽרְדִ֣ים
coming down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
17 of 25
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
וְלִפְנֵיהֶ֞ם
before
H6440
וְלִפְנֵיהֶ֞ם
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
19 of 25
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
נֵ֤בֶל
with a psaltery
H5035
נֵ֤בֶל
with a psaltery
Strong's:
H5035
Word #:
20 of 25
a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)
Cross References
2 Kings 3:15But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.1 Samuel 13:3And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.1 Samuel 19:20And 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.2 Kings 2:5And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.2 Kings 2:15And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.2 Kings 2:3And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.1 Samuel 10:10And 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.
Historical Context
Prophetic schools or guilds appear to have been organized communities dedicated to preserving and proclaiming God's word. Samuel likely established these groups to counter the corruption at Shiloh. The Philistine garrison at Gibeah demonstrates their dominance over Israel during this period, which Saul's son Jonathan would later attack (1 Samuel 13:3).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the presence of faithful prophets during Israel's spiritual decline encourage believers living in secular cultures?
- What role does music and corporate worship play in your spiritual sensitivity to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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:
The third sign occurs at Gibeah (gib'at ha'elohim, 'hill of God'), significantly also Saul's hometown. The juxtaposition of a Philistine garrison at 'God's hill' emphasizes Israel's subjugation and the urgent need for deliverance. The 'company of prophets' (chevel nevi'im) refers to a prophetic band or school, an institution Samuel apparently established to preserve and teach God's word during spiritually dark times. The musical instruments - psaltery (nebel, a harp-like instrument), tabret (toph, a hand drum), pipe (chalil, a flute), and harp (kinnor, David's instrument) - accompanied prophetic worship. Music in Israel facilitated spiritual receptivity to God's Spirit, a pattern seen throughout Scripture. These prophets 'coming down' from worship would meet Saul ascending, symbolizing the intersection of divine initiative and human response.