1 Samuel 28:17

17 The Lord has done^[a] exactly what He said through me: The Lord has torn the kingship out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.^[b]

1 Samuel 28:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 28:17

And the Lord hath done to him
To David, Saul's enemy, as he insinuated he was:

as he spake by me;
pretending to be the true Samuel, and wearing the guise of him, he speaks his very words, which he was well acquainted with, and could deliver exactly as he did:

for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to
thy neighbour;
which words are expressed by Samuel, ( 1 Samuel 15:28 ) ;

[even] unto David;
which is added by the apparition, by way of explanation, interpreting the words of David; which he might safely venture to do, seeing such a train of circumstances had occurred since the delivery of these words, which plainly made it appear he was intended.

1 Samuel 28:17 In-Context

15 "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" Samuel asked Saul. "I'm in serious trouble," replied Saul. "The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me. He doesn't answer me any more, either through the prophets or in dreams. So I've called on you to tell me what I should do."

16 Samuel answered, "Since the Lord has turned away from you and has become your enemy, why are you asking me?

17 The Lord has done exactly what He said through me: The Lord has torn the kingship out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.

18 You did not obey the Lord and did not carry out His wrath against Amalek; therefore the Lord has done this to you today.

19 The Lord will also hand Israel over to the Philistines along with you. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me, and the Lord will hand Israel's army over to the Philistines."

Footnotes

• [a]. Some Hb, LXX mss, Vg read done to you
• [b]. 1 Sm 15:28