The power of prophesying

1 Samuel 19:19-24 - Word came to Saul: "David is in Naioth at Ramah"; so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came upon Saul's men and they also prophesied. Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Secu. And he asked, "Where are Samuel and David?"

"Over in Naioth at Ramah," they said.

So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel's presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

To prophesy means to explain God's word. Sometimes that involves what is going to happen in the future, but that is more like the exception than the rule.

I wonder if there is more involved in some of the prophesying mentioned in Old Testament times. Often, but not always, music seems to be involved. Sometimes, as in the case(s) described here, it is an activity that is almost forced upon the prophets; that is, it's something they can't stop themselves from doing, and they can't seem to do anything (for a time) but prophesy. If they (Saul, in particular) could have done something else, then David would have been captured (and perhaps killed) as Saul had intended.

I wonder if Saul prophesied continuously all that day and night. Did he take or need time for other routine activities such as eating and sleeping?

I wonder if all who were prophesying stopped doing so at the same time. I wonder what type of things they prophesied about. I wonder if there was a congregation of listeners there to hear them. I think it must have been quite a sight to see and discussion to hear.