1 Samuel28
New American Standard
1Now it came about in those days that the Philistines gathered their armed camps for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Know for certain that you will go out with me in the camp, you and your men.”
2David said to Achish, “Very well, you will learn what your servant can do.” So Achish said to David, “Then I will assuredly make you my bodyguard for life!”
3Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.
4So the Philistines assembled and came and camped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they camped in Gilboa.
5When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly.
6So Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him, either in dreams, or by the Urim, or by the prophets.
7Then Saul said to his servants, “Find for me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor.”
8Then Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, “Consult the spirit for me, please, and bring up for me the one whom I shall name for you.”
9But the woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done, that he has eliminated the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you then setting a trap for my life, to bring about my death?”
10So Saul swore an oath to her by the Lord, saying, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.”
11Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”
12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!”
13But the king said to her, “Do not be afraid; but what do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up from the earth.”
14He said to her, “How does he appear?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.
15And Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul replied, “I am very distressed, for the Philistines are waging war against me, and God has abandoned me and no longer answers me, either through prophets or in dreams; therefore I have called you, so that you may let me know what I should do.”
16Samuel said, “But why ask me, since the Lord has abandoned you and has become your enemy?
17And the Lord has done just as He spoke through me; for the Lord has torn the kingdom from your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David.
18Just as you did not obey the Lord and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the Lord has done this thing to you this day.
19Furthermore, the Lord will also hand Israel along with you over to the Philistines; so tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Indeed, the Lord will hand the army of Israel over to the Philistines!”
20Then Saul immediately fell full length to the ground and was very afraid because of Samuel’s words; there was no strength in him either, because he had eaten no food all day and all night.
21The woman came to Saul and saw that he was utterly horrified, and she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you, and I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
22So now you too, please listen to the voice of your servant, and let me serve you a piece of bread, and eat it, so that you will have strength when you go on your way.”
23But he refused and said, “I will not eat.” However, his servants together with the woman urged him, and he listened to them. So he got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
24Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it; then she took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread from it.
25She then served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and left that night.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 28.
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