Today we are hearing and seeing many prophets who are constantly releasing a barrage of personal attacks, statements that are strategically directed at others, declarations from a root of bitterness and motives that are impure. The Bible clearly warns us of these things, but it seems as though many have been able to gain ground in our modern culture, leaving few individuals with the ability to discern what is actually coming from a place of righteousness and holiness. While I prayed, the Lord said something to me that immediately shook the depths of my spirit. He said, “I will reveal the Saul prophets, and they will be stripped.”
Saul, Among Prophets
When the Lord first spoke this, it immediately sent a shock wave throughout my spirit. Though I wasn’t exactly clear with an understanding, I began to quickly realize that this was a warning coming in the prophetic. I want to encourage everyone who is a prophet to take the time to consider what you are about to read with the intention of knowing that this is not a word of condemnation; rather, it is a word with warning for the opportunity of repentance.
And it happened, that when he turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart. And all those signs came to pass that day. When they came to the hill, a group of prophets met him. And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. So when all who previously knew him saw that he prophesied among the prophets, the people said one to another, “What is this that has come upon the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
And a man from there answered and said, “But who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place (1 Sam. 10:9-13).
The prophet Samuel has just anointed Saul to be the king of Israel and also declares to Saul that he will prophesy among prophets as the Spirit of The Lord will come upon Saul. It’s the first time that we have a reference to what would become a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” The purpose of this question is ultimately detailing how Saul would have been the last person expected to be prophesying with prophets. Saul did not fit the concept or idea of who a prophet would be. However, when the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, Saul was transitioned to someone completely different for the glory of the Lord.
Saul, Before the Prophet
Now David fled, and he escaped and came to Samuel at Ramah. And he reported to him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth. It was told Saul, saying, “David is at Naioth in Ramah.” When Saul sent messengers to take David, but when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying and Samuel taking his stand over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul and they also prophesied. When it was reported to Saul, he sent other messengers. And they also prophesied. So Saul sent messengers again a third time, and they too prophesied. Then he also went to Ramah and came to the great well that is in Seku. And he asked and said, “Where are Samuel and David?”
And one said, “They are at Naioth in Ramah.
He went there to Naioth in Ramah, and the Spirit of God came upon him also. And he went on and he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. He stripped off his clothes and he also prophesied before Samuel. And he lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
At this time in the life of Saul, he has become enraged, full of jealousy, envy, bitterness and anger towards David. Though David has brought a lot to Saul and Israel, it would be the admiration and success that David would gain, in which caused Saul to seek out in destroying David. By this moment, Saul has once again tried to take the life of David. Saul could not be comforted in a way that would stop his bitterness against David, so he tried to manipulate others with the destruction of David. Saul sent his messengers to take David, but he never intended on the prophet Samuel and the company of prophets being there to bring about the authenticity of the Father. This attempt came with three different tries in which the messengers would be consumed with the spirit of the Lord, and ultimately, they would end up prophesying as well.
And then it happened. Saul had enough and determined to go down there himself, and the Scripture tells us that the Spirit of God came upon Saul, and he stripped off his clothes as he prophesied before Samuel, lying naked day and night. Wait, what just happened here? Saul is prophesying naked?
Saul, Stripped Naked
Can you imagine the kng of Israel laying before the prophet Samuel, naked? Why was he stripped of his clothing in the midst of the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him with prophetic utterances? It’s here where the Lord began to quicken my spirit with this prophetic warning to the prophets of the Lord.
It’s important to realize that by this time Saul has demonstrated his unwillingness to be obedient to the Lord and a strong willingness to kill David. Remember it was Saul who did not obey the word of the Lord when dealing with the Amalekites, and although Samuel rebuked him for this, Saul was not repentitive in his actions and called for Samuel to bless him before the people in Jerusalem. The king, who openly admitted he tried to blame others for his own disobedience, was more concerned with the applause of the crowd rather than the obedience to the Lord. Saul attempted to take David out because of the ever-growing jealousy and bitterness toward the praise David would bring in serving the King. And yet, here the Spirit of the Lord came upon him with prophecy.
We have to understand that Saul comes to this place where he finds himself with the intention of manipulation and death. At this point in time, Saul would have been dressed in battle armor, ready to defend himself and kill David as well. Even if Saul had not been in armor, he would have been dressed as the king. At the moment of removing his clothes, his identity would be removed, and the bareness of Saul would be revealed. Whether he was dressed for battle or as a king, once removed from that attire, he would just be another man before Samuel, and though a man, one who would be prophesying.
Saul Prophets Will Be Stripped
The Lord began speaking to me in my prayer as He began to tell me that there are prophets today who have taken on the heart of Saul. They do what is best for themselves, and they have become consumed with jealousy, envy, anger, bitterness and more at the success of those who are helping to advance the kingdom. When they are called out for their disobedience, these prophets have one excuse after the other, always blaming others and ultimately seeking the praise of man rather than the obedience of the Father.
These prophets have become consumed with the destruction of others and have sent others (messengers) with the purpose of manipulation. However, the Lord is revealing these prophets whohave the heart of Sau,l and He is stripping them of their strategies. The Lord is removing them from positions of authority and their ability to wage in warfare. The Lord is stripping them with the purpose to bring about their identity as mankind. The Lord is not removing them (God did not remove Saul; Saul fell on his own sword), hence the importance of the stripping.
The stripping isn’t a final judgment. It’s actually an opportunity for hope and repentance. Had Saul truly repented, he could have seen a turnaround. Likewise, prophets who have embraced the heart of Saul instead of the Father, have an opportunity to repent and be fully restored. Prophets of God, please take heed to this warning, as your day of stripping is coming to those who have embraced the heart of Saul. There is hope! Don’t reject what God is doing, only to find yourself one day falling on your own sword. {eoa}
Ryan Johnson is mantled in equipping the body of Christ to awaken the nations with a prophetic call of a rising ekklesia. As a revivalist and apostolic minister, Ryan ministers with a prophetic voice of revival and awakening, with the demonstration of God’s purposes in regions, individuals and the church.
This article originally appeared at ryanjohnson.us.
Stephen Strang 
Charisma Media Staff 
Charisma Staff 
