And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?

1 SAMUEL 19:24KJV
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1 Samuel 19:24 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 19:24 mean?

1 Samuel 19:24 describes how Saul, the king of Israel, removed his clothes and lay down naked, prophesying before Samuel all day and night, which led people to ask if Saul was also among the prophets. The verse shows a dramatic moment where Saul loses control and behaves in a way that surprises those who see him.

In this scene, Saul is pursuing David but is overcome by a spiritual experience when he encounters Samuel and a group of prophets. Instead of capturing David, Saul is overtaken by prophetic behavior, stripping off his royal garments and lying exposed for an extended period. This unusual event becomes so well-known that people use it as a saying, questioning Saul’s association with the prophets.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 19:24

  • "Stripped off" (פָּשַׁט, pashat): This word means to remove or take off clothing. In this context, it emphasizes Saul’s loss of dignity and royal status as he removes his outer garments.
  • "Naked" (עָרוֹם, arom): This word often means "bare" or "without outer clothing," not necessarily fully unclothed. Saul likely removed his royal robes, making his state shocking but not completely nude.
  • "Prophesied" (נָבָא, nava): This word means to speak or act under divine influence. Here, it describes Saul being overtaken by a spiritual force, behaving in ways typical of the prophets, even though he was not known for this.

Why 1 Samuel 19:24 matters

  • This verse shows that God’s power can override even a king’s intentions, stopping Saul’s pursuit of David in a surprising way.
  • The public nature of Saul’s behavior—removing his clothes and lying exposed—highlights his loss of authority and control, which is significant in the story of Saul’s decline as king.
  • The saying, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" becomes a way for people to express surprise when someone acts out of character, and it connects back to an earlier event in Saul’s life, reinforcing the theme of unexpected transformation.

Where else these words appear

“naked” Hebrew H6174 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
  • Job 24:10 They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry;
  • Isaiah 20:4 So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

“also” Hebrew H1571 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
  • Job 12:3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

“off” Hebrew H6584 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
  • 1 Samuel 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
  • Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

“prophesied” 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.