1 Samuel28
English Standard Version
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1 the their for , to against . And to , you and your are to with me in the .
2 to , Very , you shall your can . And to , Very , I will you my for .
3 Now had , and had for him and him in , his own . And had the and the the .
4 The and and at . And , and they at .
5 When the of the , he was , and his .
6 And when of the Lord, the Lord did him, by , by , by .
7 Then to his , Seek for me a who is a , that I may to her and of her. And his to him, , there is a at .
8 So himself and and , he and him. And they to the by . And he , for me by a and for me I shall to you.
9 The to him, you has , he has the and the the . then are you laying a for my to bring about my ?
10 But to her by the Lord, As the Lord , upon you for .
11 Then the , shall I for you? He , Bring for me.
12 When the , she with a . And the to , have you me? You are .
13 The to her, Do be . do you ? And the to , I a out the .
14 He to her, is his ? And she , An is , and he is in a . And it was , and he with his to the and .
15 Then to , have you me by ? , I am in , for the are against me, and has from me and me , by . Therefore I have you to me what I shall .
16 And , then do you me, since the Lord has from you and become your ?
17 The Lord has to you he by , for the Lord has the out your and it to your , .
18 you did the of the Lord and did his against , the Lord has to you .
19 Moreover, the Lord will with you into the of the , and you and your shall be with me. The Lord will the of into the of the .
20 Then at on the , filled with because of the of . there was in him, he had and .
21 And the to , and when she he was , she to him, , your has . I have my in my and have to you have to me.
22 therefore, you your . Let me a of you; and , that you may have when you on your .
23 He and , I will . But his , with the , him, and he to their . So he the and on the .
24 Now the had a in the , and she it, and she and it and of it,
25 and she it his , and they . Then they and that .
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1 Samuel 28Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 28. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Achish puts confidence in David, Saul's fear. (1–6). Saul consults a witch at Endor. (7–19). Saul's terror. (20–25).
vv1-6
David could not refuse Achish without danger. If he promised assistance, and then stood neuter, or went over to the Israelites, he would behave with ingratitude and treachery. If he fought against Israel, he would sin greatly. It seemed impossible that he should get out of this difficulty with a clear conscience; but his evasive answer, intended to gain time, was not consistent with the character of an Israelite indeed. Troubles are terrors to the children of disobedience. In his distress, Saul inquired of the Lord. He did not seek in faith, but with a double, unstable mind. Saul had put the law in force against those that had familiar spirits, Ex 22:18. Many seem zealous against, sin, when they are any way hurt by it, who have no concern for the glory of God, nor any dislike of sin as sin. Many seem enemies to sin in others, while they indulge it in themselves. Saul will drive the devil out of his kingdom, yet harbours him in his heart by envy and malice. How foolish to consult those whom, according to God's law, he had endeavoured to root out!
vv7-19
When we go from the plain path of duty, every thing draws us further aside, and increases our perplexity and temptation. Saul desires the woman to bring one from the dead, with whom he wished to speak; this was expressly forbidden, De 18:11. All real or pretended witchcraft or conjuration, is a malicious or an ignorant attempt to gain knowledge or help from some creature, when it cannot be had from the Lord in the path of duty. While Samuel was living, we never read of Saul's going to advise with him in any difficulties; it had been well for him if he had. But now he is dead, “Bring me up Samuel.” Many who despise and persecute God's saints and ministers when living, would be glad to have them again, when they are gone. The whole shows that it was no human fraud or trick. Though the woman could not cause Samuel's being sent, yet Saul's inquiry might be the occasion of it. The woman's surprise and terror proved that it was an unusual and unexpected appearance. Saul had despised Samuel's solemn warnings in his lifetime, yet now that he hoped, as in defiance of God, to obtain some counsel and encouragement from him, might not God permit the soul of his departed prophet to appear to Saul, to confirm his former sentence, and denounce his doom? The expression, “Thou and thy sons shall be with me,” means no more than that they shall be in the eternal world. There appears much solemnity in God's permitting the soul of a departed prophet to come as a witness from heaven, to confirm the word he had spoken on earth.
vv20-25
Those that expect any good counsel or comfort, otherwise than from God, and in the way of his institutions, will be as wretchedly disappointed as Saul. Though terrified even to despair, he was not humbled. He confessed not his sins, offered no sacrifices, and presented no supplications. He does not seem to have cared about his sons or his people, or to have attempted any escape; but in sullen despair he rushed upon his doom. God sets up a few such beacons, to warn men not to stifle convictions, or despise his word. But while one repenting thought remains, let no sinner suppose himself in this case. Let him humble himself before God, determined to live and die beseeching his favour, and he will succeed.
Key Words
הֵם: they (only used when emphatic)
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
פְּלִשְׁתִּי: a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
קָבַץ: to grasp, i.e. collect
מַחֲנֶה: an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts)
צָבָא: a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship)
לָחַם: to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction)
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲכִישׁ: Akish, a Philistine king
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
Cross References
1 Samuel 28Scripture's explicit theological verdict that Saul died for his transgression and for asking counsel of a familiar spirit.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Mosaic law explicitly forbidding consulting with familiar spirits, wizards, or necromancers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Pentateuchal prohibition against seeking out familiar spirits and wizards, which Saul previously enforced.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Samuel's original indictment of Saul for sparing Amalek, which led to the loss of his kingdom.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Decrees the death penalty for mediums, highlighting the gravity of Saul's apostasy.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
An earlier instance where God refused to answer Saul, foreshadowing his complete abandonment.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Explains that Saul's insincere, faithless inquiries were spiritually equivalent to not inquiring of the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic condemnation of seeking the dead on behalf of the living instead of seeking God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Samuel's previous prophetic declaration that the Lord had rent the kingdom of Israel from Saul.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The civil command to not permit a witch to live, which Saul once executed.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Establishes the historical fact of Samuel's death and burial, explaining his absence.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The immediate historical fulfillment of Samuel's prophecy regarding the defeat of Israel at Gilboa.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Shunem's location in Issachar, establishing the geography of the Philistine encampment.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Samuel's mantle, torn by Saul, is again featured as his identifying garment in this vision.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, explaining God's silence.
Supported by Matthew Poole
A thematic parallel to the custom of quickly killing and preparing a calf for guests.
Supported by JFB