1 Samuel 10:12

12 A man who lived there asked, "How about these other prophets - who do you think their fathers are?" This is how the saying originated, "Has even Saul become a prophet?" ¹

1 Samuel 10:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 10:12

And one of the same place answered, and said
One of the same city, and in the same company, that expressed their admiration at what was come to Saul, and at what he did, and wondering how he came into such company, and to have such a gift, who was of so mean an education:

but who is their father? the father of the prophets;
their fathers were not prophets, no more than Saul's was; their Father that taught them is the Lord, and he was able to teach Saul, and bestow on him the gift of prophecy, as well as on them; and so the Targum, who is their master or teacher; for though they might have an undermaster or teacher, as Samuel, or another prophet, yet their chief teacher was God; who could and did give men the gift of prophecy, and even in the highest sense, who had neither prophets for their fathers, nor were indeed trained up in any of the schools of the prophets, which was the case of Amos:

therefore it became a proverb, is Saul also among the prophets?
that when a person of a mean parentage, and of a low life and education, was raised up to any degree of dignity in sacred and civil things, they used to apply this proverbial expression to him, or speak of him in this manner, is Saul among the prophets?

1 Samuel 10:12 In-Context

10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Suddenly the spirit of God took control of him, and he joined in their ecstatic dancing and shouting.

11 People who had known him before saw him doing this and asked one another, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Has Saul become a prophet?"

12 A man who lived there asked, "How about these other prophets - who do you think their fathers are?" This is how the saying originated, "Has even Saul become a prophet?"

13 When Saul finished his ecstatic dancing and shouting, he went to the altar on the hill.

14 Saul's uncle saw him and the servant, and he asked them, "Where have you been?" "Looking for the donkeys," Saul answered. "When we couldn't find them, we went to see Samuel."

Cross References

• 1. 10.12 1 Samuel 19.23, 24.