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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ
And when they came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ
And when they came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 13
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁם֙
H8033
לִקְרָאת֑וֹ
met
H7125
לִקְרָאת֑וֹ
met
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
7 of 13
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
וַתִּצְלַ֤ח
came
H6743
וַתִּצְלַ֤ח
came
Strong's:
H6743
Word #:
8 of 13
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
ר֣וּחַ
him and the Spirit
H7307
ר֣וּחַ
him and the Spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
10 of 13
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 13
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
Historical Context
Prophetic bands in Israel engaged in corporate worship that included musical accompaniment and proclamation. This differed from the solitary prophetic experience of later writing prophets like Isaiah or Jeremiah. The phenomenon authenticated God's presence and activity but was not unique to those with saving faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between genuine Spirit empowerment and emotional religious experience?
- Why might someone have powerful spiritual experiences yet lack true saving faith?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
The third sign's fulfillment marks Saul's public spiritual authentication. The Hebrew 'ruach elohim' (Spirit of God) explicitly identifies the source of his prophetic experience. The term 'prophesied' (yitnabbei') in the hithpael form suggests reflexive or habitual action - he was prophesying among them, participating fully in their ecstatic worship. This corporate prophetic experience integrated Saul into Israel's spiritual leadership before his political elevation. The Spirit's coming demonstrated that kingship in Israel was fundamentally spiritual, not merely political. Yet the text's emphasis on external manifestation (prophesying) rather than internal fruit (righteousness, justice) foreshadows a pattern in Saul's life: dramatic spiritual experiences without corresponding character transformation. The Spirit who enabled prophesying would later depart when Saul persisted in disobedience (16:14), demonstrating that charismatic gifts depend on continued obedience.