And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

1 SAMUEL 19:20KJV
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1 Samuel 19:20 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 19:20 mean?

1 Samuel 19:20 describes how Saul sent messengers to capture David, but when these messengers arrived and saw a group of prophets prophesying with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came upon Saul’s messengers and they also began to prophesy. This unexpected event stopped them from carrying out Saul’s orders.

In this scene, Saul is trying to have David arrested because he sees David as a threat. The messengers, instead of seizing David, are overcome by the same spiritual influence that was on the prophets and Samuel. The verse highlights how God’s Spirit can override human intentions, even turning Saul’s own men into participants in the prophetic activity they witnessed.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 19:20

  • "Messengers" (מַלְאָךְ, mal’akh): This word can mean angels or human messengers, but here it refers to Saul’s officials sent on a mission. The term emphasizes their role as agents carrying out Saul’s will, which is then interrupted by God.
  • "Prophesying" (נָבָא, nava’): This word means to speak or act under divine inspiration. In this context, it suggests that the messengers were overtaken by a powerful spiritual experience, making them unable to fulfill their original task.
  • "Spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach): This word means wind, breath, or spirit. Here, it refers to the Spirit of God, indicating a direct and powerful intervention that changes the course of events.

Why 1 Samuel 19:20 matters

  • This verse shows that God’s influence can disrupt even the most determined human plans, especially when those plans oppose God’s chosen people.
  • The event connects to the wider story of Saul’s pursuit of David, underlining the repeated failure of Saul’s attempts due to divine intervention.
  • It also highlights the authority and spiritual leadership of Samuel, as even Saul’s messengers are drawn into the prophetic activity under his guidance.

Where else these words appear

“appointed” Hebrew H5324 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • Numbers 23:6 And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
  • 1 Kings 9:23 These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.

“prophesying” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
  • Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
  • 1 Samuel 15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.