1 Samuel 10:8-13: a reflection

8“Go down ahead of me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings. Wait seven days, until I come to you and show you what you are to do.” 9It was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart; and all those signs happened that day. 10When 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. 11When all who knew him before saw that, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, then the people said to one another, “What is this that has come to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 12One from the same place answered, “Who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.

When Samuel anoints Saul and sends him on his way, something remarkable happens: when Saul turned to go, God gave him another heart. And soon the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among a band of prophets, so that those who knew him before were astonished, asking, Is Saul also among the prophets? God had changed Saul, giving him another heart, so that even those who had known him could hardly recognize the change. God's transforming work made a new man of him, to the astonishment of those who knew him.

Notice what God did: he gave Saul another heart, transforming him so that others were astonished. Saul was the same man in one sense, but God had given him another heart, changed him within, equipped him for the calling ahead. And the change was real enough that those who had known him before were astonished, hardly recognizing the man they knew. God's transforming work was not slight or invisible; it made a new man of Saul, a change others could see and marvel at. God can give a person another heart, transforming them to the astonishment of those who knew them.

That is worth taking to heart, for God is able to transform a person, giving them another heart, whatever they were before. We can feel that we, or others, are fixed in what we are, unable to change; or we can think a person too set in their ways to be transformed. But God gave Saul another heart, transforming him so that others were astonished. God is able to give a new heart, to transform a person, whatever they were before, to the astonishment even of those who knew them. Do not think yourself, or anyone, beyond God's power to transform; he gave Saul another heart, and can give a new heart still. Trust God's power to transform, to give another heart, whatever a person has been, as he transformed Saul so that those who knew him marveled, is Saul also among the prophets? For God can make a person new, giving them another heart, to the astonishment of those who knew what they were before.

Lord, when Samuel anoints Saul and sends him on his way, something remarkable happens: when Saul turned to go, God gave him another heart. And soon the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among a band of prophets, so that those who knew him before were astonished, asking, is Saul also among the prophets? You had changed Saul, giving him another heart, so that even those who had known him could hardly recognize the change. Your transforming work made a new man of him. Show me what you did: you gave Saul another heart, transforming him so that others were astonished. Saul was the same man in one sense, but you had given him another heart, changed him within, equipped him for the calling ahead. And the change was real enough that those who had known him before were astonished. Your transforming work was not slight or invisible; it made a new man of Saul, a change others could see and marvel at. Take that to my heart, for you are able to transform a person, giving them another heart, whatever they were before. I can feel that I, or others, are fixed in what we are, unable to change; or I can think a person too set in their ways to be transformed. But you gave Saul another heart. You are able to give a new heart, to transform a person, whatever they were before. Keep me from thinking myself, or anyone, beyond your power to transform; you gave Saul another heart, and can give a new heart still. Help me trust your power to transform, Lord, to give another heart, whatever a person has been.