1 Samuel 28:8-11

8 Then Saul ¹disguised himself by putting on other clothes, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, "²Conjure up for me, please, and ³bring up for me whom I shall name to you."

9 But the woman said to him, "Behold, you know ⁴what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who are mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you then laying a snare for my life to bring about my death?"

10 Saul vowed to her by the LORD, saying, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing."

11 Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me."

1 Samuel 28:8-11 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. 2 Chronicles 18:29; 2 Chronicles 35:22
• 2. 1 Chronicles 10:13; Isaiah 8:19
• 3. Deuteronomy 18:10, 11
• 4. 1 Samuel 28:3

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "say"