1 Samuel 19:20
New International Version
so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied.

New Living Translation
he sent troops to capture him. But when they arrived and saw Samuel leading a group of prophets who were prophesying, the Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men, and they also began to prophesy.

English Standard Version
Then 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.

Berean Standard Bible
he sent messengers to seize 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

New American Standard Bible
Then Saul sent messengers to take David, but when they saw the company of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing and presiding over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul; and they also prophesied.

NASB 1995
Then Saul sent messengers to take David, but when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing and presiding over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul; and they also prophesied.

NASB 1977
Then Saul sent messengers to take David, but when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing and presiding over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul; and they also prophesied.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Saul sent messengers to take David, but they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing and presiding over them. And the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul; and they also prophesied.

Amplified Bible
Then Saul sent messengers to take David; but when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing and presiding over them, the Spirit of God came on the messengers of Saul; and they also prophesied.

Christian Standard Bible
he sent agents to seize David. However, when they saw the group of prophets prophesying with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s agents, and they also started prophesying.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
he sent agents to seize David. However, when they saw the group of prophets prophesying with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s agents, and they also started prophesying.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Saul sent a few soldiers to bring David back. They went to Ramah and found Samuel in charge of a group of prophets who were all prophesying. Then the Spirit of God took control of the soldiers and they started prophesying too.

English Revised Version
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;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul sent messengers to get David. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying with Samuel serving as their leader, God's Spirit came over Saul's messengers so that they also prophesied.

Good News Translation
so he sent some men to arrest him. They saw the group of prophets dancing and shouting, with Samuel as their leader. Then the spirit of God took control of Saul's men, and they also began to dance and shout.

International Standard Version
Saul sent messengers to take David, and they saw a group of prophets caught up in prophetic ecstasy, with Samuel standing beside them leading them. Then the Spirit of God came on Saul's messengers, and they also were caught up in prophetic ecstasy.

Majority Standard Bible
he sent messengers to seize 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.

NET Bible
So Saul sent messengers to capture David. When they saw a company of prophets prophesying with Samuel standing there as their leader, the spirit of God came upon Saul's messengers, and they also prophesied.

New Heart English Bible
And Saul sent messengers to capture David. But when they saw a company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they prophesied.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Saul sent messengers to seize David; and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, God’s Spirit came on Saul’s messengers, and they also prophesied.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Saul sends messengers to take David, and they see the assembly of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing, set over them, and the Spirit of God is on Saul’s messengers, and they prophesy—they also.

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul sendeth messengers to take David, and they see the assembly of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing, set over them, and the Spirit of God is on Saul's messengers, and they prophesy -- they also.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will send messengers to take David: and seeing the assembly of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing, being set up over them, and the spirit of God will be upon Saul's messengers, and they will prophesy, also they.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So Saul sent officers to take David: and when they saw a company of prophets prophesying, and Samuel presiding over them, the spirit of the Lord came also upon them, and they likewise began to prophesy.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, Saul sent officers to seize David. And when they had seen a company of prophets prophesying, with Samuel presiding over them, the Spirit of the Lord also came to them, and they also began to prophesy.

New American Bible
he sent officers to arrest David. But when they saw the band of prophets presided over by Samuel in a prophetic state, the spirit of God came upon them and they too fell into the prophetic ecstasy.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Saul sent messengers to take David. When they saw the company of the prophets in a frenzy, with Samuel standing in charge of them, the spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also fell into a prophetic frenzy.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul sent messengers to take David; and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying and Samuel standing as a leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul sent Messengers to take David, and they saw a company of Prophets who were prophesying, and Shemueil preceded them, and the Spirit of God was on the Messengers of Shaul, and they prophesied also
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul sent messengers to take David, and they saw the assembly of the prophets, and Samuel stood as appointed over them; and the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they prophesy.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Michal Saves David
19When Saul was told that David was at Naioth in Ramah, 20he 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. 21When 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.…

Cross References
Acts 9:10-12
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord,” he answered. / “Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. / In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

Numbers 11:25-29
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again. / Two men, however, had remained in the camp—one named Eldad and the other Medad—and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those listed, but they had not gone out to the tent, and they prophesied in the camp. / A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” ...

2 Kings 2:3-5
Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.” / And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. / Then the sons of the prophets at Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”

1 Corinthians 14:24-25
But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, / and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

2 Kings 6:12
But one of his servants replied, “No one, my lord the king. For Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

John 11:47-48
Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

2 Chronicles 18:18-22
Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right and on His left. / And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that. / Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD. ...

Matthew 21:15-16
But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” / “Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

1 Kings 22:19-23
Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. / And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that. / Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD. ...

Luke 2:25-27
Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. / The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. / Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law,

Acts 2:17-18
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. / Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

2 Kings 3:15-16
But now, bring me a harpist.” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha / and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’

John 7:45-46
Then the officers returned to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring Him in?” / “Never has anyone spoken like this man!” the officers answered.

Acts 4:13-14
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus. / And seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in response.

2 Kings 9:1-3
Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead. / When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his companions, and take him to an inner room. / Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!”


Treasury of Scripture

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 on the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

sent messengers

1 Samuel 19:11,14
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…

John 7:32,45
The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him…

when they

1 Samuel 10:5,6,10
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: …

Numbers 11:25,26
And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease…

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:

Jump to Previous
Appointed Company David Head Messengers Prophesied Prophesying Prophets Samuel Saul Spirit Standing
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Appointed Company David Head Messengers Prophesied Prophesying Prophets Samuel Saul Spirit Standing
1 Samuel 19
1. Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh
4. He cherishes Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah
9. Hannah in grief prays for a child
12. Eli first rebuking her, afterwards blesses her
19. Hannah, having born Samuel, stays at home till he is weaned
24. She presents him, according to her vow, to the Lord














he sent messengers to seize him.
King Saul, driven by jealousy and fear of David's rising popularity and God's favor upon him, sends messengers to capture David. This reflects Saul's increasing desperation and paranoia. The act of sending messengers indicates Saul's authoritative power as king, yet it also highlights his inability to directly confront David, who is under divine protection. This mirrors earlier biblical narratives where God's chosen are pursued by earthly powers, such as Pharaoh's pursuit of Moses.

But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying,
The messengers encounter a group of prophets, which suggests a communal setting where prophetic activity was common. This group is likely part of a prophetic school or guild, a concept seen in other parts of the Old Testament, such as with Elijah and Elisha. The presence of a prophetic community indicates a strong spiritual movement in Israel, emphasizing the role of prophecy in guiding and shaping the nation.

with Samuel leading them,
Samuel, the last judge and a significant prophet, is leading the group. His leadership underscores his continued influence and authority in Israel, even as Saul reigns as king. Samuel's presence signifies divine endorsement and the continuation of God's work through prophecy. Samuel's role as a leader of prophets connects to his earlier anointing of both Saul and David, highlighting his pivotal role in Israel's transition from judges to monarchy.

the Spirit of God came upon them,
The Spirit of God descending upon the messengers is a divine intervention, demonstrating God's sovereignty and ability to override human intentions. This event is reminiscent of other instances where the Spirit empowers individuals for specific purposes, such as in the judges of Israel. It signifies God's active presence and the transformative power of the Spirit, which can change hearts and redirect actions.

and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy.
The messengers, initially sent to capture David, are instead caught up in the prophetic activity. This unexpected turn of events illustrates the overpowering nature of God's Spirit, which can compel even those with hostile intentions to participate in divine acts. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate control over human affairs and foreshadows the New Testament outpouring of the Holy Spirit, where diverse individuals are united in prophetic witness. This incident also subtly critiques Saul's kingship, as his own envoys are unable to fulfill his orders when confronted with God's power.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Saul
The first king of Israel, who is increasingly consumed by jealousy and fear of David, leading him to seek David's capture.

2. David
The anointed future king of Israel, who is fleeing from Saul's attempts to kill him.

3. Messengers
Sent by Saul to capture David, but they are overcome by the Spirit of God and begin to prophesy.

4. Samuel
The prophet and last judge of Israel, who is leading a group of prophets and is a spiritual mentor to David.

5. Prophets
A group of individuals who are prophesying under the influence of the Spirit of God, demonstrating God's power and presence.
Teaching Points
The Sovereignty of God
God's Spirit can intervene in human affairs, overriding human intentions and plans. This reminds us that God's purposes will prevail, regardless of human opposition.

The Power of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit of God can transform situations and people, even those who come with hostile intentions. This encourages believers to trust in the Spirit's power to change hearts and circumstances.

God's Protection
David's protection through the Spirit's intervention shows that God is a refuge for those who are pursued by enemies. Believers can find comfort in God's ability to protect and deliver.

The Role of Prophets
The presence of prophets and their prophesying highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance. It encourages believers to seek and value godly counsel and prophetic insight.

Unexpected Instruments
God can use anyone, even those with ill intentions, to fulfill His purposes. This challenges believers to remain open to how God might work in unexpected ways and through unexpected people.(20) The company of the prophets.--(On the general question of this company of prophets see Excursus H, at the end of this Book.) The Hebrew word rendered "company" occurs only in this place, but the ancient versions agree in rendering it "company," or "assembly." The Chaldee paraphrases here "they saw the company of the scribes praising, and Samuel standing over them teaching."

And they also prophesied.--Like so much that happened among the chosen people during their eventful trial period, the circumstance here related does not belong to ordinary natural experience. The words which immediately precede suggest the only possible explanation of the strange occurrence: "The Spirit of God was upon these messengers of Saul." Ewald thus graphically paraphrases the Biblical record of this scene:--"It is related of those who started with the most hostile intentions against the prophets and their pupils, that as they approached they suddenly stood still, spell-bound by the music and solemn dance of the devotees; then, more and more powerfully drawn by the same Spirit into the charmed circle, they broke forth into similar words and gestures; and then, flinging away their upper garments, they joined in the dance and the music, and sinking down into ecstatic quivering, utterly forgot the hostile spirit in which they had come. . . . The same thing befell fresh messengers a second, nay, a third time. Then Saul himself, enraged, rushed to Ramah, . . . and as he looked down from the hill upon the school, and heard the loud pealing songs rising from it, he was seized by the Divine Spirit; and when he at last reached the spot he sank into the same condition of enthusiasm still more deeply than all the messengers whom he had previously despatched."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
he
שָׁא֣וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

messengers
מַלְאָכִים֮ (mal·’ā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

to capture
לָקַ֣חַת (lā·qa·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3947: To take

him.
דָּוִד֒ (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

But when they saw
וַיַּ֗רְא (way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the group
לַהֲקַ֤ת (la·hă·qaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3862: Band, company

of prophets
הַנְּבִיאִים֙ (han·nə·ḇî·’îm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

prophesying,
נִבְּאִ֔ים (nib·bə·’îm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5012: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration

with Samuel
וּשְׁמוּאֵ֕ל (ū·šə·mū·’êl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

leading them,
נִצָּ֖ב (niṣ·ṣāḇ)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5324: To take one's stand, stand

the Spirit
ר֣וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

of God
אֱלֹהִ֔ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

came
וַתְּהִ֞י (wat·tə·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

upon
עַֽל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

them,
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and Saul’s
שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

messengers
מַלְאֲכֵ֤י (mal·’ă·ḵê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

also
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

began to prophesy.
וַיִּֽתְנַבְּא֖וּ (way·yiṯ·nab·bə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5012: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration


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OT History: 1 Samuel 19:20 Saul sent messengers to take David: (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 19:19
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