I Samuel 10:6 · Bible study
1 Samuel 10:6 Commentary: Another Man
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine the Spirit coming mightily on Saul and being turned into another man. What does this mean for leadership and God's empowering presence?
Research Summary
- Meaning: The Spirit rushes on Saul, enabling him to prophesy and transforming him into a capable leader.
- Key words: “Come mightily” (צָלַח, “rush upon”); “prophesy” (נָבָא, in Hithpael: to speak or sing under divine influence); “turned” (הָפַךְ, Niphal: to be changed or transformed).
- Main debate: Is the transformation a permanent moral change or a temporary empowerment for a specific role? Saul’s later fall suggests the latter.
- Theological theme: God sovereignly equips chosen leaders through the Spirit, often surprising human expectations.
- Best use: This verse encourages those who feel inadequate for a calling, showing that God supplies what He commands.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Then Yahweh’s Spirit will come mightily on you, then you will prophesy with them and will be turned into another man.
KJV King James Version 1769
And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
and the Spirit of Jehovah will come mightily upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and prospered over thee hath the Spirit of Jehovah, and thou hast prophesied with them, and hast been turned to another man;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And the Spirit of Jehovah will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And the Spirit of the Lord shall come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be changed into another man.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y el espíritu de Jehová te arrebatará, y profetizarás con ellos, y serás mudado en otro hombre.
E o espírito do SENHOR te arrebatará, e profetizarás com eles, e serás transformado em outro homem.
L’ esprit de l’ Éternel te saisira, tu prophétiseras avec eux, et tu seras changé en un autre homme.
Und der Geist des HERRN wird über dich geraten, daß du mit ihnen weissagst; da wirst du ein anderer Mann werden.
En de Geest des HEEREN zal vaardig worden over u, en gij zult met hen profeteren; en gij zult in een anderen man veranderd worden.
E lo spirito dell’Eterno t’investirà e tu profeterai con loro, e sarai mutato in un altr’uomo.
I zstąpi na cię Duch Pański, i będziesz z nimi prorokował, a odmienisz się w inszego męża.
и найдет на тебя Дух Господень, и ты будешь пророчествовать с ними и сделаешься иным человеком.
耶和華 的靈 必大大感動 你，你就與他們 一同受感說話；你要變為 新 人。
And the spirit of the Lord will come on you with power, and you will be acting like a prophet with them, and will be changed into another man.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Samuel 10:6
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this verse describes a supernatural equipping for leadership. The Hebrew verb for "come mightily" (צָלַח, tzalach) suggests a sudden rushing or bursting forth, the Spirit does not gently arrive but "leaps" upon Saul (Wesley, Barnes). Samuel's promise confirms Saul's anointing: the Spirit will empower him to prophesy with the prophetic band and, more profoundly, will turn him into another man. Barnes' Notes observes that this phrase "occurs nowhere else" and points to a change in "mental power and energy." Gill's Exposition elaborates: the Spirit would not only enable Saul to lead in worship but would give him "wisdom, prudence, greatness of mind" befitting a king. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown parallels this, saying Saul will display "an energy, wisdom, and magnanimity worthy of a prince." This is a transformation for a purpose, Saul's role as captain over God's people, not necessarily a permanent reordering of his character, as his later disobedience shows.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Permanent moral transformation: The language 'turned into another man' and 'God gave him another heart' (v.9) suggests a deep, lasting change.
- Temporary empowerment for office: Saul's later disobedience and the departure of the Spirit (1 Sam 16:14) show the transformation was not permanent character change.
- Transformative enablement for leadership: The transformation is real but specific to Saul's role as king; it gives him new abilities and perspective without guaranteeing lifelong faithfulness.
What is clear: The Spirit's coming on Saul equips him for his new role as king, enabling him to lead, prophesy, and act with supernatural capacity.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of the transformation ('another man') | All major traditions agree God gives Saul new capacities for leadership and worship. | Some (e.g., Pentecostal traditions) see this as a model of the Spirit's ongoing transforming work; others (e.g., Reformed) emphasize it as a temporary equipping for an office, not a permanent heart change, given Saul's later disobedience. |
| Meaning of 'prophesying' | It involves inspired worship (singing, music) under divine influence. | Catholic and Orthodox traditions often link it to the gift of prophecy in the Church; Evangelical traditions may debate whether this is ecstatic utterance or rational praise. |
| Role of the Spirit in the Old Testament | The Spirit empowered individuals for specific tasks (judges, kings, prophets). | Some see a contrast with the New Testament indwelling (permanent, for all believers); others see continuity, the same Spirit who empowered Saul now empowers all Christians for service. |
| Saul's ultimate failure and this promise | God's gift was real; Saul later sinned and was rejected. | Arminian traditions emphasize that God's empowerment can be resisted or lost; Calvinist traditions underline God's sovereign choice of another king, without denying the genuineness of the gift. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The historical backdrop of this verse is a transitional moment in Israel's story. The people have demanded a king, and God has chosen Saul, a young man from the small tribe of Benjamin. Samuel's three signs (including this one) are designed to confirm to Saul that God is with him. The setting for this sign is the "hill of God" (Gibeah), where a Philistine garrison stands as a reminder of ongoing oppression.
A band of prophets is coming down from the high place, playing instruments: lute, tambourine, pipe, and harp (1 Sam 10:5). These "sons of the prophets" were groups of disciples who studied and practiced worship and prophecy under older prophets like Samuel. Their prophesying likely involved singing, playing music, and declaring God's word, perhaps in a state of inspired worship. The mention of instruments indicates a joyful, communal expression of the Spirit's presence.
For Saul, a man more accustomed to herding donkeys than leading worship, this sign would be powerful. When the Spirit "rushes" upon him, he joins their worship naturally, as if trained. The phrase "turned into another man" would be understood by ancient readers as a divine transformation for a divine calling. In the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon judges for military deliverance (Judg 3:10; 14:6). Here, the Spirit comes upon a king for leadership and governance. The literary context shows that God gives Saul "another heart" (v.9) to match his new role. This is not about moral conversion but about enabling, equipping a reluctant farmer to rule a nation.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew text is stable across ancient manuscripts, with minor spelling differences (e.g., the name “Yahweh” vs. “Jehovah” in English) but no changes affecting interpretation.
Reception History
Early church fathers, such as Origen and Augustine, read this verse as a type of the Spirit's work in anointing Christ and, by extension, his people. Medieval monastic writers used Saul's transformation to teach that God can change even a reluctant heart. The Reformation saw this verse as a proof that the Spirit works through means (the anointing and the prophetic community) and that God's gifts are not always permanent, Luther and Calvin pointed to Saul's fall as a warning. In modern Pentecostal and charismatic movements, 1 Sam 10:6 is a favorite passage for the sudden, empowering nature of the Spirit, often linked to Acts 2. Throughout history, this verse has comforted Christians who feel inadequate for their calling, reminding them that God supplies what human ability lacks.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God Empowers Unexpected People. Saul was a shy farmer from a small tribe. The Spirit came "mightily" upon him, this is grace, not human merit.
- Prophesying Shows a Changed Identity. Saul joins the prophets in worship. His public act declares that God has made him new for a purpose.
- Transformation Is Tied to Calling, Not Perfection. Saul later disobeys and the Spirit departs (1 Sam 16:14). The gift was real, but it served God's mission, not Saul's character long-term.
Five-point outline
- God confirms His choice through signs (1 Sam 10:1-7).
- The Spirit's coming is sudden and overwhelming ("rushes upon").
- Prophesying means joining God's people in worship, not private ecstasy.
- Being turned into "another man" means receiving capacity for the task.
- This empowerment is for service, not privilege, Saul is called to lead God's people.
Illustration hooks
- A shy person is asked to lead a large project and finds unexpected confidence, the role draws out a new side of them.
- A musician who has never played in public suddenly performs fluently at a concert, feeling carried by the moment.
- A new parent finds a capacity for patience and sacrifice they did not know they had.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does this mean God 'makes' someone a leader even if they are not ready?
- If Saul could fall after being transformed, what does that say about my own walk with God?
- How do I know if God is giving me a temporary ability for a season or a lasting change?
Leading a Discussion
This verse sits at a turning point in Israel's history: the shift from judges to kings. Saul is anointed, then given three signs. The second sign, the Spirit's rush and his transformation, raises questions about how God equips people for service. In a world that values self-made leaders, this passage shows God making a leader from scratch.
Discussion questions
- What strikes you about the way the Spirit comes on Saul ("mightily," "rush") compared to how you think of the Spirit today?
- Read 1 Samuel 10:5-6 together. Why do you think God included prophesying as part of this transformation?
- Saul was turned into "another man." Does this mean his personality changed, or did he receive new abilities for a role? Support your answer from the verse and its wider story.
- How does Saul's later failure (1 Sam 15) affect how you read this promise? Is God's empowerment ever permanent? What does that mean for us?
- In your own life, when have you felt God equip you for something you could not do on your own?
- This passage suggests that leadership is a gift from God, not a natural talent. How does that challenge or comfort you?
- If the Spirit can turn a farmer into a king, what does that say about how God might use unexpected people in your church or community?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Numbers 11:25 | Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more. |
| Judges 3:10 | Yahweh’s Spirit came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Yahweh delivered Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. His hand prevailed against Cushan Rishathaim. |
| Judges 14:6 | Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on him, and he tore him as he would have torn a young goat with his bare hands, but he didn’t tell his father or his mother what he had done. |
| I Samuel 10:10 | When they came there to the hill, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came mightily on him, and he prophesied among them. |
| I Samuel 16:13 | Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. |
| I Samuel 19:23 | He went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then God’s Spirit came on him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. |
| I Samuel 19:24 | He also stripped off his clothes. He also prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” |
| Matthew 7:22 | Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights that the phrase "come upon" pictures the Spirit spreading like fire. For him, "turned into another man" means a change in mental capacity and leadership ability, distinct from the supernatural physical strength the Spirit gave Samson.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This note points the reader to several other passages where the Spirit of the Lord comes upon individuals for specific tasks. The commentator is drawing a clear connection, showing that this experience is part of a larger biblical pattern rather than an isolated event.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes observe that the Spirit's arrival brings both the gift of prophecy and a complete personal transformation, making the person into someone new. This change is immediate
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights two specific effects of the Spirit coming on Saul: it instantly equips him to compose and sing psalms of praise, despite no formal training, and it transforms his entire character and bearing from a simple farmer’s son into a man fit for kingship.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB stresses that the Spirit's coming is sudden and forceful, "rushing upon" a person and instantly equipping them with abilities far beyond their natural character. A simple, uneducated peasant is transformed into someone with the energy, wisdom, and nobility of a prince.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch treats the three signs Samuel gives Saul not as mere predictions but as practical pledges tied directly to his anointing. The first confirms Samuel's word about the lost donkeys while steering Saul toward his higher calling. The second involves receiving sacrificial loaves as homage to the Lord's anointed. The third places him at a Philistine post where the Spirit will endow him with power for kingship.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that Samuel anoints Saul with the holy oil normally reserved for priests and sacred objects, not ordinary oil. This links the king's consecration directly to priestly sanctification, making clear that Saul is set apart as a sacred figure under God's authority.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights that Samuel's anointing and kiss are prophetic acts meant to give Saul undeniable assurance of God's choice. The specific signs that follow are not mere coincidences but divine confirmations, proving that God has truly set Saul apart as king over His inheritance.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes the Hebrew verb suggests a sudden leap or rush upon someone, not a gradual process. He interprets “another man” as being instantly endowed with a new spirit—skill in divine things, courage, wisdom, and magnanimity—and other qualities suited to the person’s new dignity.