King Saul Was A Poser

So here's what we read recently in our religion class (1 Samuel 10:9-12):


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. ¹¹ When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

¹² A man who lived there answered, “And who is their father?” So it became a saying: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

This verse made me crack up for several reasons. For one, even though it said that the spirit of God came upon Saul, the phrase "prophesying with the prophets" is just silly, especially when Saul is definitely not a prophet. The writing doesn't even mention what he's saying, which makes it sound even more ridiculous. He's just prophesying with the prophets, no big deal. Hanging out with the kool kids. Since Samuel (the traditionally credited author of this book) was actually a prophet, it would make sense that he got annoyed at the thought of Saul getting credited as being a prophet, especially if Saul later failed so badly at being a king that he actually got his kingship and unconditional love taken away by God because, as God specifically says, he regrets putting Saul on the throne (1 Sam 16:1, 2 Sam 7:15). I'd get annoyed, too, if I were Samuel. Saul has no right to be prophesying among my peeps.

Also, the phrase "Is Saul also among the prophets?" sounds like something that the Israelites would say to someone who's trying to be someone that they're not (aka, a poser). I may have to start using that phrase. If you're hanging out with your friend and being nerdy and silly, but then someone else comes along and your friend immediately starts trying to look good in front of them, simply say to her, "Is [insert friend's name here] also among the prophets?" This will burn like...um...toast. Your friend will immediately understand how she erred, apologize, and you two will continue in your nerdy conversation.  Better yet, if someone is trying to impress you and failing because of your superiority in whatever they're trying to impress you with, just ask them if they are also among the prophets.