1 Samuel 28:23

23 But he refused and said, "I will not eat." But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth and sat upon the bed.

1 Samuel 28:23 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 28:23

But he refused, and said, I will not eat
Choosing rather to die with famine than by the sword of the Philistines; though perhaps his meaning is, he could not eat, his stomach loathed it, being overwhelmed with grief and trouble:

but his servants, together with the woman, compelled him;
not by force, but by arguments; they reasoned with him, and prevailed upon him to try to eat:

and he hearkened unto their voice;
and agreed to eat, if he could;

so he arose from the earth;
on which he lay at his full length:

and sat upon the bed;
or couch, it being now the custom to recline on couches at caring; though some deny that this custom obtained so early.

1 Samuel 28:23 In-Context

21 And the woman came unto Saul and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, "Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hands and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spoke unto me.

22 Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength when thou goest on thy way."

23 But he refused and said, "I will not eat." But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth and sat upon the bed.

24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hastened and killed it, and took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread thereof.

25 And she brought it before Saul and before his servants, and they ate. Then they rose up and went away that night.