1 Samuel 19 24

1 Samuel 19:24 kjv

And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?

1 Samuel 19:24 nkjv

And he also stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

1 Samuel 19:24 niv

He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel's presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

1 Samuel 19:24 esv

And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

1 Samuel 19:24 nlt

He tore off his clothes and lay naked on the ground all day and all night, prophesying in the presence of Samuel. The people who were watching exclaimed, "What? Is even Saul a prophet?"

1 Samuel 19 verses

1 Samuel 19 24 Meaning

In 1 Samuel 19:24, the divine power of God's Spirit completely overtakes King Saul. As he relentlessly pursued David, who had sought refuge with Samuel at Naioth in Ramah, Saul himself came under a prophetic trance. This spiritual overpowering was so profound that Saul stripped off his outer garments, likely his kingly robes or military attire, and lay naked, probably indicating a state of extreme vulnerability, humiliation, or divestment of his kingly authority. He remained in this state, prophesying for an extended period, an entire day and night, before Samuel. This dramatic event cemented the popular saying, "Is Saul also among the prophets?", highlighting the unusual and involuntary nature of his prophetic experience, now for the second time (1 Sam 10:11). The ultimate purpose was God's direct intervention to protect David and thwart Saul's murderous intentions.

1 Samuel 19 24 Context

The events of 1 Samuel chapter 19 describe King Saul's increasingly desperate and irrational attempts to kill David, whom he viewed as a rival to his throne, fearing the favor of both the people and God upon him. Chapter 18 established David's military success and rising popularity, inciting Saul's intense jealousy and initial attempts to kill David with a spear. In chapter 19, Saul openly commands Jonathan and his servants to kill David. Jonathan intervenes, and Saul briefly reconciles. However, the evil spirit again torments Saul, leading to another attempt on David's life. David escapes, first with Michal's help, then flees to Samuel in Ramah, specifically to Naioth, a likely prophetic community or school. Saul sends three successive groups of messengers to seize David, but each group, upon encountering the Spirit of God, begins to prophesy. Frustrated, Saul then decides to go himself, demonstrating his personal obsession. Verse 24 is the climax of this series of events, where even Saul, the instigator, is divinely overpowered and humiliated, highlighting God's direct protection of David.

1 Samuel 19 24 Word analysis

• He stripped off his clothes: From Hebrew, vayishtaḥeṭ begadav (וישלח בגדיו). Shalah (שלח) means "to send, stretch out, put forth, cast off, dispatch." In this context, it clearly means to divest oneself of garments. The "clothes" (begadim) would have been outer garments, likely including his kingly robes or armor, which were symbols of his status, power, and authority. This act represents a physical divestment that mirrors a deeper spiritual reality: a loss of control, authority, and kingly dignity before God. It's a symbolic stripping of his royal office and hostile intent.
• and he prophesied: From Hebrew, vayitnabbe' (ויתנבא). This is the Hithpael (reflexive) stem of the verb nava' (נבא), meaning "to prophesy, act as a prophet." This form emphasizes the state of being acted upon by the Spirit, implying an ecstatic or frenzied prophetic state rather than conscious or intentional foresight. Saul's prophecy is not a sign of a repentant heart or true prophetic calling for God's glory, but an overwhelming divine compulsion. It's an involuntary act of the Spirit using him for divine purposes—namely, to prevent him from harming David.
• before Samuel: This phrase indicates that Saul was under the observation and spiritual influence of Samuel, the true prophet of God who had already declared God's rejection of Saul (1 Sam 15:26, 28). Samuel's presence underscores God's sovereignty over Saul's actions. It signifies that this event occurred within a prophetic center, further emphasizing the divine nature of the event and the legitimacy of Samuel's prophetic community.
• and lay down naked: From Hebrew, vayyipol 'arom (ויפול ערום). Naphal (נפל) means "to fall, fall down, lie down." 'Arom (ערום) refers to being naked or unclothed. This does not necessarily mean literal complete nudity in public, but rather being stripped of outer garments, dignity, or defensive coverings, symbolizing utter vulnerability, humiliation, and lack of control. It points to his utter helplessness and perhaps a form of symbolic exposure or judgment from God, showing that his power and authority, symbolized by his clothing, had been stripped away by divine intervention. This state is in stark contrast to his kingly office and dignity.
• all that day and all that night: This temporal phrase emphasizes the prolonged and absolute incapacitation of Saul. It highlights the completeness and thoroughness of God's intervention. For an entire twenty-four-hour cycle, the king of Israel was rendered utterly helpless and unable to carry out his malevolent plans, thereby granting David ample time to escape further.
• Therefore they say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?": This proverb repeats from 1 Sam 10:11-12, but here it takes on a different, more emphatic, and possibly more ironic tone. In 1 Samuel 10, it marked Saul's first anointing and association with the prophetic Spirit, surprising many because he was not from a prophetic family. Here, it signifies the persistent, unpredictable, and powerful working of the Spirit even on someone deeply opposed to God's will (like Saul, who had consistently rejected God's commands). It emphasizes the overwhelming and almost incongruous nature of the event – the King who had an evil spirit now prophesying, by divine compulsion. It underscores the surprising nature of God's actions.

1 Samuel 19 24 Bonus section

The site of Naioth (or "dwellings") in Ramah, where Samuel lived, was likely a place where a community or "school" of prophets resided, trained, and practiced their prophetic gifts. The repetitive nature of Saul's messengers and then Saul himself falling under the Spirit's influence at this location suggests that the Spirit of the Lord was intensely present and active there, serving as a divine shield around Samuel and David. This prophetic ecstasis was not necessarily a sign of personal piety or saving faith for Saul; rather, it was a manifestation of God's irresistible power, which temporarily overwhelmed Saul's evil will. This stands in stark contrast to the evil spirit from the LORD that tormented Saul (1 Sam 16:14), illustrating how God can use different spiritual forces to achieve His purposes—both for judgment and for protection. The phrase "Is Saul also among the prophets?" also reminds the reader that despite Saul's outward religious experience, his heart remained rebellious against God. The prophecy itself likely consisted of unintelligible utterances or uncontrolled expressions rather than clear prophetic messages.

1 Samuel 19 24 Commentary

1 Samuel 19:24 represents a powerful demonstration of God's sovereign protection over David and His absolute control even over those who defy Him. Saul, in his escalating madness, attempts to use brute force and his royal authority to seize David. However, God repeatedly thwarts his efforts by overpowering all who come into contact with His Spirit at Naioth, culminating in Saul himself being brought under its compelling influence. The act of stripping and lying naked symbolizes a profound public humiliation and the complete removal of his kingly power and aggressive intent by divine will. This was not a spiritual renewal for Saul, but a temporary, divinely enforced cessation of his persecution. For the length of an entire day and night, the king, previously tormented by an evil spirit and seeking to kill God's anointed, was held in a prophetic trance, rendered powerless. This unique incident not only provided safe passage for David but also serves as a vivid reminder that no human plan or power can stand against the predetermined will of God. It highlights God's protective hand over His chosen ones and His ability to turn the very tools of the enemy (Saul's own person) into instruments for His purposes, even through involuntary submission. This incident serves as an illustration that God is active in intervening in human affairs to uphold His covenant and protect His people.