King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 10:11 Mean?

1 Samuel 10:11 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the peop... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? one: Heb. a man to his neighbour

1 Samuel 10:11 · KJV


Context

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. back: Heb. shoulder gave: Heb. turned

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.

11

And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? one: Heb. a man to his neighbour

12

And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? of: Heb. from thence

13

And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?

The neighbors' astonishment reveals their perception of Saul before his transformation. The question 'What is this that is come unto' (mah-zeh hayah le) expresses bewildered amazement. 'The son of Kish' identifies Saul by his father's name, emphasizing his ordinary family background with no prophetic lineage. The question 'Is Saul also among the prophets?' (hagam Sha'ul banevi'im) became a proverb in Israel (verse 12; 19:24). This phrase could express genuine wonder at God's transforming power or skeptical dismissal - the grammar allows either reading. Such ambiguity mirrors responses to God's work throughout history: some see transformation as evidence of grace, others as incongruent with a person's known character. The question unwittingly prophesies Saul's conflicted identity: he would stand among the prophets yet persecute David whom the prophets protected.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Proverbs arising from notable events were common in ancient Israel, preserving communal memory of significant moments. This saying's later application when Saul prophesied while pursuing David (19:24) gave it an ironic twist: the king among the prophets was actually persecuting God's anointed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do people who knew you before Christ respond to the changes they see in your life?
  2. What does this passage teach about God's ability to transform the most unlikely people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָּל2 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יֽוֹדְעוֹ֙3 of 23

And it came to pass when all that knew

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מֵֽאִתְּמ֣וֹל4 of 23

him beforetime

H865

heretofore; definitely yesterday

שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם5 of 23
H8032

trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday

וַיִּרְא֕וּ6 of 23

saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְהִנֵּ֥ה7 of 23
H2009

lo!

עִם8 of 23
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בַּנְּבִיאִֽים׃9 of 23

also among the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

נִבָּ֑א10 of 23

that behold he prophesied

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר11 of 23

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָעָ֜ם12 of 23

then the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אִ֣ישׁ13 of 23

one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶל14 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רֵעֵ֗הוּ15 of 23

to another

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

מַה16 of 23
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

זֶּה֙17 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הָיָ֣ה18 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְבֶן19 of 23

What is this that is come unto the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

קִ֔ישׁ20 of 23

of Kish

H7027

kish, the name of five israelites

הֲגַ֥ם21 of 23
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

שָׁא֖וּל22 of 23

Is Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

בַּנְּבִיאִֽים׃23 of 23

also among the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 10:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 10:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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