He also stripped off his clothes. He also prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 24. Naked. Divested of his regal ornaments, ( Tirinus.) though not in an indecent posture. People are said to be undressed, when they have not such clothes on as might be expected. Hesiod and Virgil say, Nudus ara, sere nudus; hiems ignava colono. “Plough and sow naked; choose a fine season for work, and rest in winter.” Bible. See Mic. 1:8. 2 Kennicott. 6:20.—Yet some assert ( Calmet.) that Saul was entirely undressed, as some pretended prophets and slaves go in the hot countries. Isaiah 20:1. We are not to judge of the indecency of such behaviour from our own manners. Some copies read cecinit, ( Calmet.) and the Douay Bible has “and sang naked.” Bible.—Saul had not the gift of prophecy, like holy men, but only like Balaam’s ass, for a time. Saint Augustine ad Simp. ii. 1. Worthington.—Prophets. This is something wonderful. Menochius.—The proverb was now confirmed. Calmet. 10:11. Calmet.