King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 10:9 Mean?

1 Samuel 10:9 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 10:9 · KJV


Context

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

8

And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.

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


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding that God can change hearts inform your prayers for others?
  2. What is the difference between God's transforming work for service and the new birth unto salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 17
H1961

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

כְּהַפְנֹת֤וֹ2 of 17

And it was so that when he had turned

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

שִׁכְמוֹ֙3 of 17

his back

H7926

the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of a hill

לָלֶ֙כֶת֙4 of 17
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

מֵעִ֣ם5 of 17
H5973

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

שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל6 of 17

from Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

וַיַּֽהֲפָךְ7 of 17

gave

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

ל֥וֹ8 of 17
H0
אֱלֹהִ֖ים9 of 17

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

לֵ֣ב10 of 17

heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אַחֵ֑ר11 of 17

him another

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וַיָּבֹ֛אוּ12 of 17

came

H935

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

כָּל13 of 17
H3605

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

הָֽאֹת֥וֹת14 of 17

and all those signs

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

הָאֵ֖לֶּה15 of 17
H428

these or those

בַּיּ֥וֹם16 of 17

to pass that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַהֽוּא׃17 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo


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 10:9 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 10:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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