Even those who did not believe recognized that there was something of the supernatural in Samuel. For them, however, it was “a devil.” There was something there, they simply could not see the true source. Since they were already attempting to kill him, and failing, they turn to the next possibility, which was capture. The presence of captains suggests that there were some military/police available in the crowd. Perhaps this indicates that a quick call-up of a defensive militia was made from the men in the city.