1 Samuel 10 12

1 Samuel 10:12 kjv

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?

1 Samuel 10:12 nkjv

Then a man from there answered and said, "But who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb: "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

1 Samuel 10:12 niv

A man who lived there answered, "And who is their father?" So it became a saying: "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

1 Samuel 10:12 esv

And a man of the place answered, "And who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

1 Samuel 10:12 nlt

And one of those standing there said, "Can anyone become a prophet, no matter who his father is?" So that is the origin of the saying "Is even Saul a prophet?"

1 Samuel 10 verses

1 Samuel 10 12 Meaning

1 Samuel 10:12 records the astonished reaction of bystanders upon witnessing Saul, recently anointed as king, prophesying among a company of prophets. The rhetorical question, "And who is their father?", seeks to identify the source or master of this prophetic group, particularly concerning Saul, who was not known for such activity. This unexpected event leads to the widely adopted proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?", signifying a surprising and unlooked-for association or transformation, pointing to the divine and unexpected origin of spiritual gifting rather than human lineage or training.

1 Samuel 10 12 Context

This verse immediately follows a pivotal moment in Saul's life: his anointing as king by Samuel (1 Sam 10:1) and the giving of three specific signs to confirm this divine appointment. The third sign (1 Sam 10:5-6) was that Saul would encounter a band of prophets descending from the high place with musical instruments and prophesying. As the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon Saul, he would join them in prophesying, and thus "be turned into another man." Verse 10:10 describes the fulfillment of this sign, confirming Saul's empowerment by God's Spirit. The onlookers, having no prior knowledge of Saul's anointing or his prior spiritual disinterest, are utterly astonished by this transformation, leading to the exchange and proverb recorded in verse 12. This event underscores God's ability to equip even the unexpected for His service.

1 Samuel 10 12 Word analysis

• Then a man of that place:
  • man (’iysh אִישׁ): Refers to a male individual. In this context, it's an ordinary, anonymous bystander from Gibeah (Saul's hometown or nearby, as per 1 Sam 10:10), whose surprise reflects the common perception.
  • of that place: Emphasizes a local observer, a neutral party whose observation adds credibility to the surprising event.
• answered and said:
  • Simple declarative statement, indicating a direct response to Saul's actions, likely among those observing.
• "And who is their father?":
  • Hebrew: ūmî ăvîhem (וּמִי אֲבִיהֶם) - "And who their father?"
  • ’av (אָב): "father," "ancestor," "patriarch," but also significantly "master," "teacher," "source," or "founder" (e.g., of a house, profession, or group). In the context of "sons of the prophets" (e.g., 2 Kin 2:3, 5, 7, 15), a "father" refers to a spiritual mentor or leader of a prophetic community, like Samuel.
  • The question implies surprise at the sudden inclusion of Saul. It is rhetorical, hinting at the idea that perhaps the prophetic group's "father" (meaning their origin or inspiration) is beyond human training. It is understood to ultimately point to God as the "father" or ultimate source of the prophetic spirit, especially since Saul had no known prophetic "father" or training.
• Therefore it became a proverb:
  • Hebrew: hāyetâ lᵉmāshāl (הָיְתָה לְמָשָׁל) - "it became a proverb."
  • māshāl (מָשָׁל): A proverb, a wise saying, an adage, a parable, or a taunt. Its use indicates that the unexpected event was significant enough to become a common, recognized saying within Israel.
• "Is Saul also among the prophets?":
  • This is the proverb itself, echoing the popular surprise.
  • also (gam גַּם): This crucial particle emphasizes Saul's unlikeliness and unexpected inclusion. He was known as a farmer's son, not from a priestly or prophetic lineage.
  • prophets (nabî' נָבִיא): One who speaks on behalf of God, inspired by divine revelation. In this period, prophetic bands were common, often associated with ecstatic manifestations and musical accompaniment (1 Sam 10:5). The question highlights the sheer astonishment that someone not part of this known circle, nor previously known for spiritual fervor, could suddenly participate.

Words-Group Analysis

• "And who is their father?": This rhetorical question signifies a shift from a purely human perspective (who trained them?) to a recognition of divine enablement. It suggests that the prophetic ability comes not from human instruction or lineage, but from an external, higher source, namely God Himself. It prepares for the astonishment that follows.
• "Is Saul also among the prophets?": This phrase, becoming a proverb, encapsulates the awe and perplexity of God's surprising action. It represents a common expression of disbelief at someone doing something completely unexpected or stepping into a role entirely foreign to their known background, particularly when empowered by God for His purposes.

1 Samuel 10 12 Bonus section

• The proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?", appears twice in 1 Samuel (here and 19:24), with significantly different implications. Here in 10:12, it signals God's surprising enablement of Saul for kingship. In 19:24, it highlights God's sovereign control even over a disobedient and hostile Saul, reducing him to a state of ecstatic prophesying against his will, thereby demonstrating God's ultimate authority even over kings.
• The term "prophesying" in this context (and many Old Testament instances) may involve ecstatic praise, inspired utterances, and physically affected states, rather than exclusively foretelling future events. This was part of the signs confirming God's presence and power.
• This verse provides a powerful theological statement that God is not limited by human conventions, lineage, or perceived qualifications when choosing whom to empower with His Spirit. His gifts are sovereignly bestowed.

1 Samuel 10 12 Commentary

1 Samuel 10:12 encapsulates a pivotal moment revealing God's sovereignty in choosing and empowering individuals for His service. The transformation of Saul, a relatively unknown figure from Benjamin, from an ordinary person into an ecstatic prophet, deeply shocked those around him. The question "And who is their father?" pointedly dismisses the notion that prophecy is merely a learned skill or an inherited trait. Instead, it powerfully suggests that the ultimate "Father" of prophecy, its source and originator, is God Himself, who pours out His Spirit as He wills. The resultant proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?", memorialized this surprising display of divine grace and empowerment, asserting that God's work transcends human expectation and social norms. This event marked Saul as one upon whom God's Spirit had truly fallen, authenticating his anointing, although his later spiritual trajectory would show the necessity of sustained obedience for God's anointing to remain fully operative.