1 Samuel 19:20 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Saul's men come to seize David but are overtaken by the Spirit of God and begin to prophesy instead.
What Does 1 Samuel 19:20 Mean?
Saul sends messengers to seize David, but when they reach Naioth they find the company of prophets prophesying with Samuel presiding over them. The Spirit of God comes upon the messengers, and instead of arresting David they themselves begin to prophesy. The agents of murder are caught up in the praise of God.
God defends His servant by a power no weapon can resist. The very men sent to kill are overwhelmed by the Spirit and turned to worship. Here is deliverance not by sword but by the sovereign working of God, who can melt the hardest mission into praise. The Lord shows that His purposes for David rest on Himself, and that the Spirit who fills His prophets can disarm any enemy at His pleasure.
1 Samuel 19:20 in the Original Language
ruach (רוּחַ), 'Spirit' -- breath, wind, the moving power of God.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 19:20
What does 1 Samuel 19:20 mean?
Saul's men come to seize David but are overtaken by the Spirit of God and begin to prophesy instead.