Keraia
1 Samuel 10

1 Samuel 10:5

Samuel Anoints Saul · 1 Samuel 10:1–8
Read 1 Samuel 10

Translations

Modern
After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.
Traditional
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:
Literal
After that you shall come to Gibeath-Elohim, where there is the garrison of the Philistines. And it will come to pass when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, and before their face will be a harp, and a tambourine, and a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying.
Latin
Post hæc venies in collem Dei, ubi est statio Philisthinorum: et cum ingressus fueris ibi urbem, obvium habebis gregem prophetarum descendentium de excelso, et ante eos psalterium, et tympanum, et tibiam, et citharam, ipsosque prophetantes.

Original

Hebrew
English
After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.

Notes

1 Samuel 10:5

  • Gibeah of God, Saul’s hometown (1 Samuel 10:26), was once a lawless city (Judges 19–21). It is not described elsewhere as "of God." This might suggest God's claim over the town, even though the Philistines occupied it.

  • group: Prophets often lived in groups (for example, 2 Kings 2:3)

  • harps … lyres: Ancient prophets sometimes used musical instruments to inspire and support their prophesying (for example, 2 Kings 3:15).

1 Samuel 10:2–6

These three "signs" were meant to convince a hesitant Saul (1 Samuel 9:21) that he was truly chosen to be king.

1 Samuel 9:1–11:15

Saul became powerful through three main events:

  1. Samuel secretly anointed him (1 Samuel 9:1–10:16).

  2. He was chosen by casting lots (1 Samuel 10:17–27).

  3. He defeated the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1–15).

See also study note on 1 Samuel 13:1–16:13.

Theme notes and profiles

Samuel Saul The Spirit’s Presence

Events

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Places

Gibeah: A city of Benjamin, associated with Saul and atrocities Gibeath-elohim: A place with a garrison of Philistines, near Gibeah Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

Elisha Geba Gibeah Gibeath-Elohim Jericho Musical Instruments Naioth Ordain, Ordination Philistia, Philistines Prophecy Prophet, Prophetess Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Sons of the Prophets Tabret Tambourine

Topics

Harp used in Worship Harps Mountain used for Idolatrous Worship Music: Effects Produced on the Prophets of Old By Music: Instruments of Tabret Pipe used in Religious Services Prophets: Often Accompanied by Music While Predicting Prophets: Ordinary: Numerous in Israel Prophets: Ordinary: The Sacred Bards of the Jews Symbols and Similitudes: Men Meeting Saul