1 Samuel 28:3

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.

1 Samuel 28:3 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 28:3

Now Samuel was dead
Had been so for some time; which is mentioned before, ( 1 Samuel 25:1 ) ; and here repeated, partly to observe the reason of the Philistines renewing the war, and partly to account for the conduct of Saul, in seeking to a witch to raise Samuel, and for the sake of that story:

and all Israel lamented him;
as they had great reason to do; (See Gill on 1 Samuel 25:1); and buried him in Ramah, even his own city; there being two Ramahs, as Kimchi observes, it is added, "in his own city", to show that he was buried in that Ramah which was his native place, and where his constant residence was; though, as he says, it may mean that he was buried within the city, and not without it; but the Targum gives a different sense,

``and they buried him in Ramah, and mourned for him every man in his city:''

and Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards,
out of the land:
out of the land of Israel; had by an edict banished them, or had given orders that neither witches nor wizards should abide in the land; but should be taken up, and prosecuted according to the law of God; which he had done either at the instigation of Samuel; or, as some think, from a conceit that the evil spirit he had been troubled with was owing to them; or to make some appearance of a zeal for religion, and the honour and glory of God: this is observed to show the inconstancy of Saul, and his folly in applying after this to a person of such a character, and to account for the fears of the woman when applied to, and afterwards when she was engaged, when she found it was by Saul; see ( 1 Samuel 28:7-12 ) .

1 Samuel 28:3 In-Context

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.)