And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

1 SAMUEL 10:6KJV
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1 Samuel 10:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 10:6 mean?

1 Samuel 10:6 says that the Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon Saul, causing him to prophesy with a group of prophets and be changed into a different person. This verse describes a dramatic transformation in Saul, marking him out for a special role through a visible sign of God’s power.

The prophet Samuel is speaking to Saul, who has just been privately anointed as Israel’s first king. Samuel tells Saul that he will meet a group of prophets, and when the Spirit of the LORD (God’s empowering presence) comes upon him, Saul will join them in prophesying—an act that shows God’s direct influence. This moment is meant to confirm Saul’s new calling and show others that God is at work in him.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 10:6

  • רוּחַ (ruach, H7307): This word means "spirit," "wind," or "breath." Here, it refers to the Spirit of the LORD, representing God’s active and empowering presence coming upon Saul in a noticeable way.
  • נָבָא (nava, H5012): This word means "to prophesy." In this context, it often means speaking or acting under divine inspiration, not necessarily predicting the future but demonstrating that God is guiding and using the person.
  • הָפַךְ (hafakh, H2015): This word means "to turn" or "to change." The verse uses it to describe Saul being "turned into another man," emphasizing a real inner transformation, not just an outward sign.

Why 1 Samuel 10:6 matters

  • 1 Samuel 10:6 clarifies that Saul’s ability to prophesy and his transformation are not from his own abilities but are direct results of God’s Spirit at work.
  • The verse highlights that God sometimes gives visible, supernatural signs to confirm his choice and empower someone for a new role, especially in key moments of Israel’s history.
  • This transformation connects to the larger story, showing that Saul’s kingship begins with God’s initiative and power, not human ambition or tradition.