This is a pivotal transition moment for Saul, highlighting his early steps as God’s anointed leader.
In this verse, we see “When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.” (v.13). The individual referenced here is Saul, who would become Israel’s first king around the late 11th century BC. Saul had just experienced a remarkable spiritual event in which God’s Spirit came upon him, causing him to prophesy among the prophets (1 Samuel 10:9-11). The completion of this prophesying signifies a transformative moment in Saul’s life as he moves away from this supernatural experience and continues his journey to a place of worship.
The phrase “he came to the high place” (v.13) indicates a return to a significant site commonly used for worship during this period. High places, often located on elevated terrain, served as sanctuaries or altars in ancient Israel, and at times also featured in the worship of foreign gods (1 Kings 3:2 describes that they were used because a temple had not yet been built). By Saul arriving at this holy space, Scripture points to an intentional and reverent act—he transitions from divine prophesying directly to a setting devoted to the Lord. This foreshadows his responsibility to lead the people in obedience to God, although his later reign will be marked by both moments of faithfulness and devastating lapses.
Saul’s experience of prophesying can also be seen as a foreshadowing of believers’ empowerment by the Holy Spirit under the New Covenant, exemplified in the New Testament by the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). While Saul’s future choices will often conflict with God’s commandments, this verse captures a brief period of his closeness to divine involvement and direction.
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1 Samuel 10:13 meaning
In this verse, we see “When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.” (v.13). The individual referenced here is Saul, who would become Israel’s first king around the late 11th century BC. Saul had just experienced a remarkable spiritual event in which God’s Spirit came upon him, causing him to prophesy among the prophets (1 Samuel 10:9-11). The completion of this prophesying signifies a transformative moment in Saul’s life as he moves away from this supernatural experience and continues his journey to a place of worship.
The phrase “he came to the high place” (v.13) indicates a return to a significant site commonly used for worship during this period. High places, often located on elevated terrain, served as sanctuaries or altars in ancient Israel, and at times also featured in the worship of foreign gods (1 Kings 3:2 describes that they were used because a temple had not yet been built). By Saul arriving at this holy space, Scripture points to an intentional and reverent act—he transitions from divine prophesying directly to a setting devoted to the Lord. This foreshadows his responsibility to lead the people in obedience to God, although his later reign will be marked by both moments of faithfulness and devastating lapses.
Saul’s experience of prophesying can also be seen as a foreshadowing of believers’ empowerment by the Holy Spirit under the New Covenant, exemplified in the New Testament by the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). While Saul’s future choices will often conflict with God’s commandments, this verse captures a brief period of his closeness to divine involvement and direction.