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:

1 SAMUEL 10:5KJV
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1 Samuel 10:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 10:5 mean?

1 Samuel 10:5 describes how Saul, after leaving Samuel, will arrive at a place called the "hill of God," where there is a Philistine garrison, and there he will meet a group of prophets coming down from a worship site, playing musical instruments and prophesying. This verse sets up a sign for Saul, marking a moment when he will encounter people deeply involved in worship and prophecy as part of his journey to becoming king.

Samuel is speaking to Saul, giving him specific instructions and signs to confirm God's choice of Saul as king. The mention of the Philistine garrison highlights the presence of Israel's enemies even in sacred places, and the group of prophets with musical instruments shows that prophecy in ancient Israel was often accompanied by music and communal worship.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 10:5

  • "hill" (גִּבְעַת, giv'at): This word means a hill or high place, often used for worship in ancient Israel. The "hill of God" suggests a location considered especially sacred.
  • "garrison" (נְצִב, netziv): This word refers to a military outpost or station. Its presence at a holy site underlines the tension between Israel and the Philistines at the time.
  • "company" (חֶבֶל, chevel): This word can mean a group or band, here describing the prophets as a collective, not just individuals.
  • "prophesy" (נָבָא, nava): This word means to speak or act under divine inspiration. In this context, it suggests that the prophets were visibly expressing messages or praise from God, likely in song or speech.

Why 1 Samuel 10:5 matters

  • The verse shows that even sacred places in Israel were under threat or occupation by enemies, highlighting the difficult situation Saul would inherit as king.
  • The gathering of prophets with musical instruments paints a picture of prophecy as a lively, communal, and musical event, not just solitary speech.
  • This sign is part of a series of confirmations for Saul, helping him and the reader see that his calling as king is guided and affirmed by God through clear, supernatural events.

Where else these words appear

“pipe” Hebrew H2485 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Kings 1:40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
  • Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
  • Isaiah 30:29 Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.

“garrison” Hebrew H5333 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
  • 2 Samuel 8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:16 And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem.

“tabret” Hebrew H8596 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
  • 1 Chronicles 13:8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
  • Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

“psaltery” Hebrew H5035 · used in 37 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
  • Psalms 108:2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.