1 Samuel 28:1-7

1 Forsooth it was done in those days, the Philistines gathered together their companies, that they should be made ready against Israel to battle. And Achish said to David, Thou witting know now, for thou shalt go out with me in tents, thou and thy men. (And it was done in those days, the Philistines gathered together the companies of their troops, to prepare for battle against Israel. And Achish said to David, Thou must know, that thou shalt go out with me to the battle, thou and thy men.)
2 And David said to Achish, (And) Now thou shalt know what things thy servant shall do. And Achish said to David, And I shall set thee (the) keeper of mine head in all days.
3 Forsooth Samuel was dead, and all Israel bewailed him, and they buried him in Ramah, his city. And Saul did away from the land witches and false diviners.
4 And (the) Philistines were gathered, and came, and setted tents in Shunem; soothly and Saul gathered all Israel, and came into Gilboa.
5 And Saul saw the castles of Philistines [And Saul saw the tents of (the) Philistines], and he dreaded, and his heart dreaded greatly. (And Saul saw the army of the Philistines, and he was afraid, and his heart greatly dreaded/and his heart greatly feared.)
6 And he counselled (with) the Lord; and the Lord answered not to him (but the Lord did not answer him), neither by priests, nor by dreams, nor by prophets.
7 And Saul said to his servants, Seek ye to me a woman having a fiend speaking in the womb; and I shall go to her, and I shall inquire by her. And his servants said to him, A woman having a fiend speaking in the womb is in Endor. (And Saul said to his servants, Seek ye out for me a woman who hath a familiar spirit; and I shall go to her, and I shall inquire through her. And his servants said to him, There is a woman who hath a familiar spirit in Endor.)

1 Samuel 28:1-7 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.

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.