Numbers 24:2 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

The SPIRIT of GOD came upon him; that is upon him by an overruling, constraining power, so as to prompt to a service his heart would gladly have been excused from; but not in him, in a way of renewing sanctifying grace. Many have felt the power and sovereignty of the HOLY GHOST who have never known what his sweet and gracious influences in converting the soul from error to salvation mean. Saul is among the prophets, Saul hath another heart given to him, but not a renewed heart. He had indeed another heart suited to the change of station the LORD in his Providence appointed him to; and this for the advantage of the LORD'S people. He was before this seeking his father's asses, and now he is appointed to a kingdom. So that another heart in its bias and pursuits became needful. But here is not a word through all this to lead to the idea, that Saul was a converted and regenerated believer. 1 Samuel 10:9; 1 Samuel 10:9. Reader! learn to make this nice but most proper distinction, and it will help to explain many of the otherwise seeming difficulties you may meet with in life.