1 Samuel 10:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying.

NIV: "After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, timbrels, pipes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying.

NASB: Afterward you will come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is; and it shall be as soon as you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and a lyre in front of them, and they will be prophesying.

CSB: "After that you will come to Gibeah of God where there are Philistine garrisons. When you arrive at the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place prophesying. They will be preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres.

NLT: When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying.

KJV: 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:

NKJV: After that you shall come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is. And it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying.

First Samuel 10:1–16 starts where the previous chapter left off. Samuel anoints Saul's head with oil and tells him the Lord has anointed him to be Israel's prince. Saul will reign over the people and save them from their enemies. Three signs will confirm this is true. All three signs happen, including God's Spirit rushing on Saul and him prophesying with a group of musical prophets. Saul's uncle asks about Samuel, but Saul doesn't tell him about becoming king.

Samuel anoints Saul as the next prince of Israel and gives him three signs of things that will happen to confirm his prophecy. The Spirit of God rushes on Saul and he joins in prophesying with a group of musical prophets. Saul tells his uncle he met Samuel, but he doesn't reveal what Samuel told him about the kingship. Samuel calls all of Israel to Mizpah. Saul is selected king by casting lots. Though Saul hides at first, the people shout, "long live the king!" A group of valiant men accompany Saul back home while another group opposes him.

Despite being warned, Israel demanded to have a human king (1 Samuel 8:19–20). God allowed this, telling Samuel to anoint Saul (1 Samuel 9:15–17). The old prophet gives the young man three signs that will confirm this appointment is from God; everything happens as Samuel describes. Samuel calls the people to Mizpah where the new king is selected by casting lots. Saul hides, is discovered, and then is warmly accepted as Israel's new king. However, some are dubious that Saul is equipped for the task. Saul will be successful at first (1 Samuel 11:11) but will eventually reject God and be replaced by David (Samuel 16:1).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.