1 Samuel 10:9
And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֗ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּהַפְנֹת֤וֹ
And it was so that when he had turned
H6437
כְּהַפְנֹת֤וֹ
And it was so that when he had turned
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
2 of 17
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
שִׁכְמוֹ֙
his back
H7926
שִׁכְמוֹ֙
his back
Strong's:
H7926
Word #:
3 of 17
the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of a hill
לָלֶ֙כֶת֙
H1980
לָלֶ֙כֶת֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
4 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מֵעִ֣ם
H5973
מֵעִ֣ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
5 of 17
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וַיַּֽהֲפָךְ
gave
H2015
וַיַּֽהֲפָךְ
gave
Strong's:
H2015
Word #:
7 of 17
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 17
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
לֵ֣ב
heart
H3820
לֵ֣ב
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
10 of 17
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽאֹת֥וֹת
and all those signs
H226
הָֽאֹת֥וֹת
and all those signs
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
14 of 17
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
Historical Context
The concept of God changing hearts appears throughout the Old Testament, both for enabling obedience (as here and with David) and for hardening in judgment (as with Pharaoh). Israel's king was to be fundamentally different from pagan monarchs, transformed by God rather than claiming inherent divine nature.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that God can change hearts inform your prayers for others?
- What is the difference between God's transforming work for service and the new birth unto salvation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
The Hebrew 'haphak lev acher' (gave him another heart) indicates a genuine divine work of transformation. The verb 'haphak' means to turn, overturn, or transform completely. This is not merely outward change but internal renewal enabling Saul for his calling. Yet this transformation, however real, differs from the regeneration described in Ezekiel 36:26 and the New Testament. Saul received capacity for royal service, not necessarily a new nature in the soteriological sense. The immediate fulfillment of all three signs 'that day' (bayom hahu) validated Samuel's prophetic authority and confirmed God's choice of Saul. This condensed timeline of divine orchestration demonstrates God's complete sovereignty over circumstances and people. The signs were not magic but divine appointments - God arranging His world to communicate His purposes to His chosen servant.