1 Samuel 28:17

17 The LORD has spoken through me and has done what he said he would do. He has torn the kingdom out of your hands. He has given it to one of your neighbors. He has given it to David.

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 Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you troubled me by bringing me up from the dead?" "I'm having big problems," Saul said. "The Philistines are fighting against me. God has turned away from me. He doesn't answer me anymore. He doesn't speak to me through prophets or dreams. So I've called on you to tell me what to do."

16 Samuel said, "The LORD has turned away from you. He has become your enemy. So why are you asking me what you should do?

17 The LORD has spoken through me and has done what he said he would do. He has torn the kingdom out of your hands. He has given it to one of your neighbors. He has given it to David.

18 You didn't obey the Lord. You didn't carry out his burning anger against the Amalekites. So he's punishing you today.

19 "He will hand both Israel and you over to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be down here with me. The LORD will also hand Israel's army over to the Philistines."