Bible Strands
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?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative describes Saul’s actions after the Spirit of God compels him to prophesy in Ramah while pursuing David. He strips his royal garments, prophesies before Samuel, and remains naked and prostrate for a full day and night.
The words — וַ/יִּפְשַׁ֨ט (va/i.yif.Shat) translates literally as "and he stripped off," while וַ/יִּתְנַבֵּ֤א (va/i.yit.na.Be') means "and he prophesied." Both verbs are prefixed with the conjunction וַ/יּ, syntactically binding Saul’s undressing directly to his prophetic state.
The thread — This event mirrors the initial Spirit-induced prophesying recorded in 1 Samuel 10:10 and parallels Isaiah’s sign-act of walking barefoot and naked in Isaiah 20:2. It also establishes a structural contrast with Michal’s later contempt for David’s exposed dancing in 2 Samuel 6:20.
Why it lands — The text records a complete suspension of Saul’s royal authority, showing that divine compulsion overrides human status. It requires the reader to acknowledge that God’s Spirit operates independently of earthly office or dignity.
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 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?
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 10:10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them.
- 2 Samuel 6:20 When David returned home to bless his own household, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today!” she said. “He has uncovered himself today in the sight of the maidservants of his subjects, like a vulgar person would do.”
- Isaiah 20:2 the LORD had already spoken through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and the sandals from your feet.” And Isaiah did so, walking around naked and barefoot.
- Micah 1:8 Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich.
- Numbers 24:4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
- 2 Samuel 6:14 And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD,
- 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?”