When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them. When Saul and his servant arrived at GibeahGibeah, often referred to as "Gibeah of Saul," was Saul's hometown and a significant location in the tribe of Benjamin. It is situated a few miles north of Jerusalem. This location is historically significant as it was the site of a previous atrocity involving the Levite's concubine (Judges 19-20), which led to a civil war within Israel. Saul's arrival here marks the beginning of his transformation from a private individual to a public leader. The mention of his servant highlights the social structure of the time, where servants often accompanied their masters on journeys, indicating Saul's status and wealth. a group of prophets met him
Prophets in ancient Israel were individuals chosen by God to deliver His messages to the people. This group of prophets signifies a community of individuals dedicated to worship and prophecy, possibly linked to the "schools of the prophets" mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament (e.g., 2 Kings 2:3-5). Their meeting with Saul was divinely orchestrated, fulfilling Samuel's earlier prophecy (1 Samuel 10:5-6) and serving as a sign of Saul's anointing as king. This encounter emphasizes the role of prophecy in confirming God's will and the importance of spiritual leadership in Israel. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him
The Spirit of God coming upon Saul signifies divine empowerment for leadership, a common theme in the Old Testament where God's Spirit equips individuals for specific tasks (e.g., Judges 6:34 with Gideon). This rushing of the Spirit indicates a sudden and powerful transformation, enabling Saul to fulfill his role as king. It also foreshadows the New Testament outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2), where believers are similarly empowered for ministry. This moment marks a pivotal change in Saul's life, aligning him with God's purposes. and he prophesied along with them
Saul's prophesying with the prophets serves as a public confirmation of his new role and divine calling. This act of prophesying, often involving speaking or singing under divine inspiration, demonstrates Saul's temporary alignment with God's will. It also fulfills Samuel's earlier prediction, providing a sign to those around him of his anointing. This event prefigures the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives, as seen in the New Testament, where prophecy is a gift of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10). Saul's participation in prophecy highlights the potential for spiritual renewal and the importance of obedience to God's calling. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel. At this point in the account, Saul is beginning to experience the transformative power of God's Spirit. 2. GibeahA town in the territory of Benjamin, significant as Saul's hometown and a place where pivotal events in his life occur. 3. Group of ProphetsA company of prophets who were likely part of a prophetic guild or school. Their presence signifies the active work of God through His chosen messengers. 4. Spirit of GodThe Holy Spirit, who empowers individuals for specific tasks and roles in the Old Testament. Here, the Spirit comes upon Saul, enabling him to prophesy. 5. ProphesyingThe act of speaking forth God's message, often involving inspired speech or actions. Saul's prophesying is a sign of his divine appointment and empowerment. Teaching Points The Empowering Presence of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit empowers individuals for God's purposes. Just as Saul was enabled to prophesy, believers today are empowered by the Spirit to fulfill God's calling in their lives. God's Sovereign ChoiceSaul's anointing and the subsequent prophetic experience underscore God's sovereign choice in appointing leaders. We should trust in God's wisdom and timing in raising up leaders for His people. The Transformative Power of GodThe Spirit's work in Saul's life demonstrates God's ability to transform and equip individuals beyond their natural abilities. We should seek and be open to the Spirit's transformative work in our own lives. Community and Prophetic WitnessThe presence of the prophetic group highlights the importance of community in spiritual growth and witness. Believers are encouraged to engage in communities that foster spiritual gifts and growth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the experience of Saul prophesying with the prophets at Gibeah illustrate the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, and how does this compare to the New Testament understanding of the Spirit's work? 2. In what ways can we discern God's sovereign choice in leadership within our own communities, and how should we respond to His appointments? 3. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish something beyond your natural abilities. How did this experience impact your faith journey? 4. How can we cultivate a community that encourages the use of spiritual gifts, similar to the group of prophets Saul encountered? 5. Considering Saul's initial positive experiences with the Spirit, what lessons can we learn about maintaining a faithful relationship with God throughout our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 19:20-24This passage describes another instance where Saul prophesies, highlighting the recurring influence of the Spirit of God in his life. Acts 2:4The event of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit comes upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in tongues and prophesy, parallels the empowering work of the Spirit seen in Saul's life. Numbers 11:25-29The Spirit of God comes upon the seventy elders, and they prophesy, illustrating that God's Spirit empowers His chosen leaders for their tasks. People Benjamin, Egyptians, Kish, Matri, Matrites, Rachel, Samuel, SaulPlaces Bethel, Egypt, Gibeah, Gibeath-elohim, Gilgal, Mizpah, Tabor, Zelzah, ZuphTopics Band, Behold, Company, Face, Gibeah, Gib'e-ah, Group, Height, Hill, Joined, Meet, Met, Midst, Mightily, Power, Procession, Prophesied, Prophesieth, Prophesying, Prophet, Prophets, Prosper, Spirit, ThitherDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 10:10 3015 Holy Spirit, divinity
3030 Holy Spirit, power
3040 Holy Spirit, promise of
3045 Holy Spirit, sovereignty
3110 Holy Spirit, titles of
3272 Holy Spirit, in OT
3281 Holy Spirit, inspiration
5457 power, human
7967 spiritual gifts, responsibility
8422 equipping, spiritual 1 Samuel 10:5-11 3275 Holy Spirit, in the church 1 Samuel 10:9-12 5481 proverb 1 Samuel 10:10-11 5841 ecstasy 1 Samuel 10:10-13 7778 school of prophets Library The King after Man's Heart
'And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mizpeh; 18. And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you; 19. And ye have this day rejected your God, who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto Him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScripturePlace of Jesus in the History of the World.
The great event of the History of the world is the revolution by which the noblest portions of humanity have passed from the ancient religions, comprised under the vague name of Paganism, to a religion founded on the Divine Unity, the Trinity, and the Incarnation of the Son of God. It has taken nearly a thousand years to accomplish this conversion. The new religion had itself taken at least three hundred years in its formation. But the origin of the revolution in question with which we have to do …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible The Earliest Chapters in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: The nature of inspiration] Since the days of the Greek philosophers the subject of inspiration and revelation has been fertile theme for discussion and dispute among scholars and theologians. Many different theories have been advanced, and ultimately abandoned as untenable. In its simplest meaning and use, inspiration describes the personal influence of one individual upon the mind and spirit of another. Thus we often say, "That man inspired me." What we are or do under the influence …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Trial of Saul.
"And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering."--1 Samuel xiii. 9. We are all on our trial. Every one who lives is on his trial, whether he will serve God or not. And we read in Scripture of many instances of the trials upon which Almighty God puts us His creatures. In the beginning, Adam, when he was first created, was put upon his trial. He was placed in a beautiful garden, he had every thing given him for his pleasure and comfort; …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII The History Books
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Assyrian idol-god] Thus little by little the Book of God grew, and the people He had chosen to be its guardians took their place among the nations. A small place it was from one point of view! A narrow strip of land, but unique in its position as one of the highways of the world, on which a few tribes were banded together. All around great empires watched them with eager eyes; the powerful kings of Assyria, Egypt, and Babylonia, the learned Greeks, and, in later times, …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making Letter xxii (Circa A. D. 1129) to Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas
To Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas Bernard consoles him under the persecution of which he is the object. The most pious endeavours do not always have the desired success. What line of conduct ought to be followed towards his inferiors by a prelate who is desirous of stricter discipline. 1. I have learned with much pain by your letter the persecution that you are enduring for the sake of righteousness, and although the consolation given you by Christ in the promise of His kingdom may suffice amply for …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 10:10 NIV1 Samuel 10:10 NLT1 Samuel 10:10 ESV1 Samuel 10:10 NASB1 Samuel 10:10 KJV
1 Samuel 10:10 Commentaries
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