Jewish religion in religious studies — Saul’s transformation
October 27, 2010
Jewish religion in religious studies — Then Samuel said to Saul: ‘Go now to Gibeah, where there is
a Philistine camp. At the entrance of the town you will meet
a group of prophets, who will be dancing and singing. The
Spirit of the Lord will suddenly take control of you, and you
will join their singing and dancing; you will be transformed.’
Saul did as Samuel instructed. When he began dancing and
singing, he was seen by people who already knew him. They
said to one another: `What has happened to Saul? Has he
become a prophet?’
Samuel called together the people of Israel. He picked out
Saul, who was a head taller than anyone else, and declared:
`This is the man that the Lord has chosen as your king. There
is no one to match him.’ The people shouted: `Long live the
king!’ Then Samuel said: ‘If you and your king follow the
Lord, all will go well for you. But if you and your king rebel
against the Lord, flouting his laws, he will raise his hand
against you.’
Saul picked three thousand men to fight the Philistines.
The Philistines responded by assembling a vast army, with
thirty thousand war chariots. The Philistines had allowed no
blacksmiths to work in Israel, to prevent the Israelites from
making swords and spears. So, as the two armies faced one
another, none of the Israelites possessed a sword, except Saul
himself and his son Jonathan.
i Samuel 10.5-6, 1 1, 17a, 23b-24;
12.14-15; 1 3.2a, 5a, 19, 22
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
