1 Samuel28
New King James Version
1Now it happened in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies together for war, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, “You assuredly know that you will go out with me to battle, you and your men.”
2So David said to Achish, “Surely you know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Therefore I will make you one of my chief guardians forever.”
3Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land.
4Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa.
5When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
6And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets.
7Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.”
8So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Please conduct a séance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you.”
9Then the woman said to him, “Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?”
10And Saul swore 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!”
13And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What did you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth.”
14So he said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle.” And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down.
15Now Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, “I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do.”
16Then Samuel said: “So why do you ask me, seeing the Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy?
17And the Lord has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.
18Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day.
19Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”
20Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night.
21And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was severely troubled, and said to him, “Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice, and I have put my life in my hands and heeded the words which you spoke to me.
22Now therefore, please, heed also the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a piece of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.”
23But he refused and said, “I will not eat.” So his servants, together with the woman, urged him; and he heeded their voice. Then he arose from the ground and sat on the bed.
24Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she hastened to kill it. And she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it.
25So she brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away 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