King Saul, the son of Kish, was the first king of Israel. As I was reading about Saul’s anointing today, something occurred to me when I read these verses:
9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying.
1 Samuel 10:9-10 (NIV)
Was Saul saved? Is that what these verses are telling us?
I think it’s a logical question since 2 Corinthians 5:17 informs us that “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (NIV) It certainly might seem like that’s what happened in verse 9. We might also remember what Jesus told his disciples in Acts “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (1:8 NIV). However, I don’t think we can apply these verses or New Testament thinking and think Saul was converted. At least, not as we who have been saved have been converted.
There are many times in the Old Testament when the Spirit of the Lord comes upon a person. Othniel, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson, David, Amasai, Jahaziel, and Ezekiel are all people that come to mind. We also know that Moses and Joshua were given the Spirit by the Lord. When Elijah died, Elisha received a double portion of his spirit. Which I believe was the Spirit of the Lord. There may be other examples in the Old Testament that I have missed, but I think the point we can get is that the Spirit of the Lord could enter someone to empower them to do something and then leave. We see evidence of this with Samson.
The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done.
Judges 14:6 (NIV)
Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.
Judges 16:20 (NIV)
Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.
Judges 16:28-30 (NIV)
The text doesn’t tell us that the Spirit returned when Samson prayed to the Lord, but I believe Samson couldn’t have done what he did if God hadn’t given him the strength.
We also know that the Spirit eventually left Saul.
Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
1 Samuel 16:14 (NIV)
Therefore, it’s safe to presume the Spirit came upon people and then left them. We know it left Saul because of all the evil he had done, and it left Samson because of his unbelief and actions. It returned to Samson because of his belief.
If Saul wasn’t saved, then what can we glean from 1 Samuel 10:9-10?
Verse 9 tells us God changed Saul’s heart. I believe God gave Saul a heart to govern. I think God took the good that he had already deposited in Saul and added to it. We know Saul was humble and cared about his family (cf. 1 Samuel 9:5,21). We also know God chose him to be Israel’s king (cf. 1 Samuel 9:17). Verse 10 tells us the Spirit of God came powerfully on Saul. When God changed Saul’s heart, he enabled Saul to receive the Spirit so it could work within him to do everything that needed to be done. I’m reminded of Solomon who asked for wisdom and was granted it.
When we are saved, we literally become a new creation. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, and we have access to the mind of Christ. Our minds are transformed and renewed; this changes the way we think (cf. Romans 12:2). None of this was possible before Jesus was glorified.
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:7 (NIV)
Thus, Saul couldn’t have been converted as we might think. Concerning Saul’s salvation and whether or not he went home to be with the Lord. Only God knows the truth of that.
Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be free from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.
Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.
Four-Calendar Café 
Interesting and thought-provoking post, Jason. I don’t have any further insight into Saul’s case, but your discussion does raise an interesting question. Do you believe that Old Testament saints were converted men and women (i.e. spiritually born again), and if so, on what basis and by what means?
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Thanks Craig, to God be the glory!
Let me see if I can answer your question: Do I believe that Old Testament saints were converted men and women (i.e. spiritually born again), and if so, on what basis and by what means?
No, they were not converted men and women (not spiritually reborn). They couldn’t be since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
We might ask another question. Were there people in the OT who were saved? If so, how? Yes, there were people who were saved in the OT. Abraham and David are two such people that Paul talks about in Romans 4:3 and Romans 4:6-8.
The people in the OT who were saved were saved in the same way we are. Through faith. Some people might think that someone who followed the law perfectly could be saved but Paul points out in Galatians 3:11 that no one was justified before the law and the righteous live by faith. One of many places where we see that people can’t be saved by the law. The law existed that people would be aware of sin.
I appreciate you Craig and I thank your comment and for stopping by! I hope this Resurrection Sunday finds you and your family well. God bless you!
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Thanks Jason! May the Lord’s blessing rest on you and your family as well! I also understood that that OT saints were saved in the same way that we are – by faith that looked forward to the Lord’s deliverance from sin that was first hinted at in Genesis 3:15 and then progressively revealed throughout redemptive history.
I also understand that no one is saved by the observing the law, neither were they saved by the blood of bulls and goats, as Hebrews points out. These sacrifices were types that anticipated the sacrifice of Christ.
My understanding differs from yours on the point of their being converted and born again. I understand them to have been so, and to have been participants in the new covenant, albeit by looking forward in faith to God’s promised deliverer (thus Jesus’ statement of surprise that Nicodemus, as Israel’s teacher, did not understand these things). I understand the prophecy of Joel, initially fulfilled at Pentecost, that the Lord’s Spirit would be poured out upon all flesh, to have been the promise of the baptism / filling of the Spirit as distinct from the indwelling of believers at conversion.
Of course, to some extent these things are somewhat academic and of secondary importance. My mind still likes to try to sort things out and make sense of them, so I’m always interested in other people’s viewpoints. I had never really considered the possibility of someone being saved without being born again, mainly because Jesus was quite emphatic with Nicodemus that no one can even see the kingdom of God unless they are born again (let alone enter it), and of course we would understand that Abraham and David (for example) certainly saw the kindom of God by faith, prophetically. I will have to give that some further thought.
Anyway, thanks for the discussion, Feel free to share any further thoughts that come to mind.
God bless,
Craig
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It’s an interesting issue, Craig. When I consider “born again,” I’m thinking of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In that way, I cannot see how OT Saints were born again since the Spirit had not yet been given.
By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:39 (NIV)
However, the Holy Spirit could regenerate and renew Moses, Joshua, David, etc. but dwelt in the Temple. But then there’s something like Psalm 51:11
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. (NIV)
The Spirit dwelt in David. It also was in Saul and was taken. As NT Believers the Holy Spirit lives in us and cannot be taken out.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. John 14:16 (NIV)
When I consider what it means to be circumcised in the heart: “No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God” (Romans 2:29 NIV) then this tells me that OT Saints were “born again.” Just not in the way my tiny human brain was thinking. By being indwelt with the Holy Spirit with all that it entails.
So, I don’t see where we actually have a different point of view. I was probably remiss in my answer since I was thinking of a “reborn” New Spirit as being indwelt, but a healed and regenerated Spirit would also be new and be considered “reborn.”
Hopefully, this makes sense! I too, enjoy the discussion.
God bless you!
-Jason
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Yes, I suppose a lot of it just comes down to language and terminology. Much to the chagrin of many a theologian, scripture reveals what God chooses to reveal and it’s fully sufficient for our needs, but it’s not a manual of “how it all works,” LOL. Thanks for your reply and the helpful references!
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