The Bible mentions several times that Saul was “among the prophets” or “prophesied.” This refers to King Saul, the first king of Israel, who began as a humble man but later turned away from God. The phrase “Saul is also among the prophets” occurs in 1 Samuel 10 and 19.
The Background
Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel by Samuel the prophet (1 Samuel 10:1). When Samuel anointed Saul, he told him that he would meet a group of prophets and would “prophesy” with them as a sign that God was with him (1 Samuel 10:5-6).
Later, after Saul was anointed as king, Samuel gathered the people to present Saul to them. However, Saul hid himself among the equipment. When they went to look for Saul, they found him and brought him out. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and he prophesied among the prophets (1 Samuel 10:9-11).
The people who had known Saul before were surprised to see him prophesying. They asked “Is Saul also among the prophets?” (1 Samuel 10:11). This was an expression of amazement that Saul was prophesying just as Samuel had said. The people were surprised that Saul, a humble farmer, was prophesying like a prophet of God. This showed that God’s Spirit had come upon Saul and equipped him for leadership just as Samuel had promised.
Saul’s Disobedience and Rejection
Later in 1 Samuel 15, Saul disobeyed God’s instructions given through Samuel to completely destroy the Amalekites. Because of this disobedience, Samuel told Saul that God had rejected him as king (1 Samuel 15:22-23).
After God rejected Saul as king, the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit troubled him (1 Samuel 16:14). However, there was a period between God’s rejection of Saul recorded in 1 Samuel 15 and the evil spirit troubling him in chapter 16. During this interim period, Saul was still performing some of the functions of king.
In 1 Samuel 19, Saul was pursuing David to kill him. David had fled and was hiding with Samuel and the prophets. Saul sent men to capture David three times, but each time as they approached the prophets, the Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men and they began to prophesy.
Finally, Saul went himself to capture David. But when Saul approached the prophets, the Spirit of God came upon Saul also, and he stripped off his robes and prophesied (1 Samuel 19:18-24). Again this caused those who knew Saul to ask in amazement “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
The Prophetic Ecstasy
What does it mean when the passages say Saul and his men “prophesied”? This was not prophesying in the sense of receiving direct revelation from God or predicting the future. Rather, it refers to an ecstatic experience of praising God under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
The prophets of the Old Testament were known for singing, dancing, shouting and behaving in unusual ways as they praised God under the power of the Spirit (1 Samuel 10:5-6, 1 Chronicles 25:1-3). Likewise, when the Spirit of God came upon Saul and his men, they were overwhelmed by God’s presence and responded by joining in the prophetic ecstasy and praising God. This ecstatic praise was referred to as prophesying.
God’s Sovereignty Displayed
The fact that Saul could prophesy or experience the Spirit’s presence even after being rejected as king shows God’s sovereignty. God’s Spirit comes upon whom He wills (John 3:8, Romans 9:15-18).
Though Saul had disqualified himself from being king over Israel, God in His sovereignty could still bring His Spirit upon Saul to accomplish His purposes. In this case, it kept Saul from harming God’s prophet David.
The working of God’s Spirit could not be predictable or contained, even to fulfill God’s promises through David. Though Saul was no longer the chosen king, God’s Spirit still rested on him for God’s divine purposes in that moment.
Saul’s Character Unchanged
While Saul was overcome by the Spirit and prophesied, this did not indicate a true change of heart in Saul. After this incident, Saul continued in his pursuit of David (1 Samuel 19:22-24). He had not truly repented or returned to obedience to God. The prophecy he experienced did not reflect his character.
This shows that the gifts of the Spirit and the outward manifestations of God’s power do not necessarily indicate inward righteousness. Saul had been anointed as king and was mightily used by God at times. Yet Saul ultimately rejected God. Jesus warns that prophesying and performing miracles do not guarantee true salvation (Matthew 7:21-23).
Opposing God’s Will
Saul’s attempts to kill David despite experiencing the Spirit show the sinfulness of opposing God’s will. God had rejected Saul and clearly chosen David as king. By persecuting David, Saul directly opposed God’s will.
Outward displays of God’s power on their own cannot make us right with God. Only true faith and alignment with God’s will lead to righteousness. We must surrender our will to God’s purposes.
Though God may graciously work even through disobedient people at times, persistently opposing God’s chosen king would lead only to judgment. We must seek God’s will, not our own status and kingship.
God’s Grace to the Undeserving
Though Saul deserved judgment for his disobedience, God showed him undeserved grace by bringing His Spirit upon Saul. God could have abandoned Saul to his fate after rejecting him as king. Yet He continued to work in Saul’s life.
This shows that God often shows grace and offers opportunities for repentance even to those who repeatedly reject Him. God makes His sun rise on the evil and the good (Matthew 5:45). He calls all to repentance and faith.
We must not presume upon God’s grace or take it as license to sin. But we see in stories like Saul’s that God shows abundant patience and grace, if we will only humble ourselves and turn to Him.
The Allure of Status
Though Saul experienced the Spirit, he was ultimately more concerned with maintaining his status and position as king. He refused to accept God’s rejection of him as king and the choice of David to replace him.
Saul’s example warns us of how power and status can corrupt. Position and title do not make one righteous or guarantee continued blessing from God. A humble heart that depends fully on God is greater than status.
We do well to examine our hearts, to ensure we are not clinging to power, position, title or prestige rather than simply seeking God and doing His will from the heart. Authority is a test of character.
Outward Manifestations and Inward Faith
Saul’s example ultimately highlights the difference between outward spiritual manifestations and true inward faith. Experiencing God’s power and even calling on Christ’s name do not guarantee salvation (Matthew 7:21-23).
Samuel said that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). Surrendered obedience in small things indicates true faith more than external spiritual gifts or experiences.
As believers, we are called to pursue the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:1). But we must also cultivate humility, faith and obedience to God’s Word. These qualities testify to genuine faith and salvation.
Conclusion
The statement “Saul is also among the prophets” occurrences in 1 Samuel show that God’s Spirit works sovereignly, even through those who ultimately reject God. Experiencing God’s power or spiritual gifts does not automatically equate to salvation or righteousness.
Saul’s example serves as a warning against prizing status over obedience to God’s will. Though Saul prophesied, he persisted in disobedience, showing the state of his heart. Outward spirituality can mask inward rebellion.
But Saul’s story also shows God’s patience and grace, as He continues to work even through those opposing His purposes. This highlights the opportunity God gives for repentance and faith.
May we humbly obey God’s Word and rely on the inner working of the Spirit, not only outward manifestations of His power. As we surrender our wills to God’s purposes, we confirm the sincerity of our faith.
