1 Samuel 28:16-25

16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy?

17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for ¹the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.

18 ²Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day.

19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you ³and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines. ”

20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.

21 And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. ⁴I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me.

22 Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way. ”

23 He refused and said, “I will not eat. ” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed.

24 Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it,

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

1 Samuel 28:16-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 28

The Philistines gathering together, to fight with Israel, Saul trembled at it, not being able to get any answer from the Lord about it in any way whatever, 1Sa 28:1-6; upon which he applies to a woman that had a familiar spirit to bring him up Samuel, which she did, 1Sa 28:7-14; and what passed between Saul and Samuel, or at least the apparition in his form, is recorded, 1Sa 28:15-19; which so struck him, as to make him strengthless, and so melancholy, that he refused to eat until persuaded, or rather compelled, by the woman and his servants, 1Sa 28:20-25.

Cross References

• 1. 28:17 ch. 15:28
• 2. 28:18 ch. 15:9
• 3. 28:19 ch. 31:2
• 4. 28:21 See Judg. 12:3