1 Samuel 28:3-9

Saul and the Medium at Endor

3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.

4 The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa.

5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart.

6 He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

7 Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor,” they said.

8 So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.”

9 But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?”

1 Samuel 28:3-9 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. 1 Samuel 25:1
• 2. S 1 Samuel 7:17
• 3. ver 9
• 4. S Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-11; 1 Samuel 15:23
• 5. S Joshua 19:18; 2 Kings 4:8
• 6. 1 Samuel 31:1,3; 2 Samuel 1:6,21; 2 Samuel 21:12
• 7. S Exodus 19:16
• 8. S 1 Samuel 8:18; 1 Samuel 14:37; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14; Proverbs 1:28
• 9. S Deuteronomy 13:3; Numbers 12:6
• 10. S Exodus 28:30; S Leviticus 8:8; Numbers 27:21
• 11. Ezekiel 20:3; Amos 8:11; Micah 3:7
• 12. 1 Chronicles 10:13; Acts 16:16
• 13. Joshua 17:11; Psalms 83:10
• 14. 1 Kings 22:30; 2 Chronicles 18:29; 2 Chronicles 35:22
• 15. Deuteronomy 18:10-11; 2 Kings 1:3; 1 Chronicles 10:13; Isaiah 8:19
• 16. ver 3
• 17. Job 18:10; Psalms 31:4; Psalms 69:22; Isaiah 8:14