King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 10:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 10:5 in the King James Version says “After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

1 Samuel 10:5 · KJV

Context

3

Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:

4

And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. salute: Heb. ask thee of peace

5

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:

6

And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

7

And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. And: Heb. And it shall come to pass, that when these signs, etc that: Heb. do for thee as thine hand shall find

Read 1 Samuel 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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:

The third sign occurs at Gibeah (gib'at ha'elohim, 'hill of God'), significantly also Saul's hometown. The juxtaposition of a Philistine garrison at 'God's hill' emphasizes Israel's subjugation and the urgent need for deliverance. The 'company of prophets' (chevel nevi'im) refers to a prophetic band or school, an institution Samuel apparently established to preserve and teach God's word during spiritually dark times. The musical instruments - psaltery (nebel, a harp-like instrument), tabret (toph, a hand drum), pipe (chalil, a flute), and harp (kinnor, David's instrument) - accompanied prophetic worship. Music in Israel facilitated spiritual receptivity to God's Spirit, a pattern seen throughout Scripture. These prophets 'coming down' from worship would meet Saul ascending, symbolizing the intersection of divine initiative and human response.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Prophetic schools or guilds appear to have been organized communities dedicated to preserving and proclaiming God's word. Samuel likely established these groups to counter the corruption at Shiloh. The Philistine garrison at Gibeah demonstrates their dominance over Israel during this period, which Saul's son Jonathan would later attack (1 Samuel 13:3).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the presence of faithful prophets during Israel's spiritual decline encourage believers living in secular cultures?
  2. What role does music and corporate worship play in your spiritual sensitivity to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
אַ֣חַר1 of 25

“After”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

כֵּ֗ן2 of 25
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כְבֹֽאֲךָ֙3 of 25

“and it shall come to pass when thou art come thither”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

גִּבְעַ֣ת4 of 25

“to the hill”

H1389

a hillock

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים5 of 25

“of God”

H430

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

אֲשֶׁר6 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׁ֖ם7 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

נְצִבֵ֣י8 of 25

“where is the garrison”

H5333

something stationary, i.e., a prefect, a military post, a statue

פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים9 of 25

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וִיהִי֩10 of 25
H1961

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

כְבֹֽאֲךָ֙11 of 25

“and it shall come to pass when thou art come thither”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שָׁ֜ם12 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

הָעִ֗יר13 of 25

“to the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וּפָֽגַעְתָּ֞14 of 25

“that thou shalt meet”

H6293

to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity

חֶ֤בֶל15 of 25

“a company”

H2256

ruin

נְבִאִים֙16 of 25

“of prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

יֹֽרְדִ֣ים17 of 25

“coming down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מֵֽהַבָּמָ֔ה18 of 25

“from the high place”

H1116

an elevation

וְלִפְנֵיהֶ֞ם19 of 25

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

נֵ֤בֶל20 of 25

“with a psaltery”

H5035

a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)

וְתֹף֙21 of 25

“and a tabret”

H8596

a tambourine

וְחָלִ֣יל22 of 25

“and a pipe”

H2485

a flute (as perforated)

וְכִנּ֔וֹר23 of 25

“and a harp”

H3658

a harp

וְהֵ֖מָּה24 of 25
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

מִֽתְנַבְּאִֽים׃25 of 25

“them and they shall prophesy”

H5012

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

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 10:5 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 10:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 3:151 Samuel 13:31 Samuel 19:202 Kings 2:31 Chronicles 25:1-61 Samuel 10:10

Places in This Verse

Gibeath-elohimSettlement · Modern: Tel el Ful · 31.82°N, 35.23°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in 1 Samuel 10 →

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 10 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Samuel 10 with CommentaryAll 1 Samuel ChaptersComplete 1 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes