1 Samuel 28:18

18 Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.

1 Samuel 28:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 28:18

Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the Lord
At Gilgal, as Abarbinel thinks; which is the first thing for which the kingdom was threatened to be taken from him, ( 1 Samuel 13:13 1 Samuel 13:14 ) ;

nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek:
in sparing Agag, and the best of the cattle, ( 1 Samuel 15:9 1 Samuel 15:28 ) ;

therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee this day;
forsaken him, rent his kingdom from him, and would deliver him into the hands of the Philistines, as follows: had he been the true Samuel, he would have told him of some other sins of his, provoking to the Lord; as his slaughter of the priests at Nob, his cruel persecution of David, and especially of his asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit at this time, of which not a word is said, and yet was the very transgression for which Saul died, ( 1 Chronicles 10:13 1 Chronicles 10:14 ) .

1 Samuel 28:18 In-Context

16 “Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy?

17 He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.

18 Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.

19 Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”

20 Immediately Saul fell flat on the ground, terrified by the words of Samuel. And his strength was gone, because he had not eaten anything all that day and night.