Bible Strands
1 Samuel 10:11
When all those who had formerly known Saul saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Former acquaintances of Saul encounter him at Gibeah immediately after the Spirit of God has come upon him. They witness him prophesying alongside a group of prophets and question his sudden behavioral shift.
The words — The phrase כָּל־יֽוֹדְעוֹ (kol-yod'o) literally means "all those who knew him," stressing the full recognition of his prior identity. The particle וְ/הִנֵּה (ve-hinneh) translates to "and behold," functioning as a demonstrative marker of the observers' sudden realization.
The thread — This scene coins the proverb "Is Saul also among the prophets?" which reappears in 1 Samuel 19:24 during Saul's second prophetic episode. Comparable astonishment at unprepared spiritual manifestation occurs in John 7:15 and Matthew 13:54.
Why it lands — The text documents a direct challenge to established social roles when divine action interrupts ordinary expectations. It requires the reader to confront how external calling can abruptly redefine a known identity without prior training or announcement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 19:24 Then Saul stripped off his robes and also prophesied before Samuel. And he collapsed and lay naked all that day and night. That is why it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
- John 7:15 The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?”
- Matthew 13:54 Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked.
- John 9:8 At this, his neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging began to ask, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?”
- Acts 2:7 Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
- Acts 3:10 they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
- Acts 4:13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.
- Acts 9:21 All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”