1 Samuel 28:23

23 Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on 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 When the woman came to Saul and saw how distraught he was, she said to him, “Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice. I took my life in my hands and did as you told me.

22 Now please listen to your servant and let me set a morsel of bread before you so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.”

23 Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed.

24 The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

25 She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. And that night they got up and left.