Saul's desperate consultation with a medium directly violates his own earlier decree expelling all mediums and spiritists from Israel, creating tragic irony as the king breaks his own law.
1 Samuel 28
Saul and the Medium at Endor
1In those days, the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, “Know assuredly that you will go out with me in the army, you and your men.”
2David said to Achish, “Therefore you will know what your servant can do.” Achish said to David, “Therefore I will make you my bodyguard forever.”
3Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had sent away those who had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land.
4The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.
5When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
6When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD didn’t answer him by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets.
7Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” His servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at Endor.”
8Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. Then he said, “Please consult for me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomever I shall name to you.”
9The woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?”
10Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, “As the LORD lives, no punishment will happen to you for this thing.”
11Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up to you?” He said, “Bring Samuel up for me.”
12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!”
13The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid! What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.”
14He said to her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man comes up. He is covered with a robe.” Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and showed respect.
15Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?” Saul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, by prophets, or by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.”
16Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has departed from you and has become your adversary?
17The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, even to David.
18Because you didn’t obey the LORD’s voice, and didn’t execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you today.
19Moreover the LORD will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will deliver the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”
20Then Saul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was terrified, because of Samuel’s words. There was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all day long or all night long.
21The woman came to Saul and saw that he was very troubled, and said to him, “Behold, your servant has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
22Now therefore, please listen also to the voice of your servant, and let me set a morsel of bread before you. Eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.”
23But he refused, and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed.
24The woman had a fattened calf in the house. She hurried and killed it; and she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread of it.
25She brought it before Saul and before his servants, and they ate. Then they rose up and went away that night.
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Theme
Facing an imminent Philistine attack and receiving no response from God through legitimate means, King Saul desperately seeks guidance by consulting a medium at Endor, despite having previously banned such practices. The medium conjures the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel, who delivers a devastating prophecy confirming that God has rejected Saul and that both he and his sons will die in the coming battle. This chapter represents the tragic climax of Saul's spiritual decline, showing how his disobedience has led him to seek forbidden supernatural counsel in his final hours.
Context
This chapter occurs near the end of Saul's reign, following his repeated disobedience and God's rejection of his kingship, setting up the final battle where Saul will die in chapter 31.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3 David's Dilemma and Samuel's Death David agrees to fight with the Philistines while the narrator notes Samuel's death and Saul's previous ban on mediums.
- 4-6 Saul's Fear and God's Silence The opposing armies gather for battle, but Saul receives no divine guidance through dreams, Urim, or prophets.
- 7-11 Seeking the Medium at Endor Saul disguises himself and secretly visits a medium, requesting that she summon Samuel's spirit.
- 12-19 Samuel's Prophetic Judgment Samuel's spirit appears and pronounces God's final judgment on Saul, predicting his death and Israel's defeat.
- 20-25 Saul's Collapse and Recovery Overwhelmed by the prophecy, Saul collapses but is persuaded by the medium to eat before departing.
Saul and the Medium at Endor
28:1–28:25 narrative narration fearful
Saul, desperate for guidance before battle, consults a medium at Endor who conjures Samuel's spirit. Samuel prophesies Saul's defeat and death, confirming God's judgment upon the disobedient king.
person_contrast
Saul's desperate consultation with a medium directly violates his own earlier decree expelling all mediums and spiritists from Israel, creating tragic irony as the king breaks his own law.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
1 Samuel 28:1 1 reference
1 Samuel 28:3 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Samuel 25:1 Lexical
Samuel died; and all Israel gathered themselves together and mourned for him, and buried him at his house at Ramah. Then…
1 Samuel 15:34 Lexical
Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.
1 Samuel 19:18 Lexical
Now David fled and escaped, and came to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. He and Samuel went…
2 Kings 21:6 Lexical
He made his son to pass through the fire, practiced sorcery, used enchantments, and dealt with those who had familiar sp…
Isaiah 8:19 Lexical
When they tell you, “Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter,” shoul…
1 Samuel 28:4 4 references
Lexicals 4
1 Samuel 31:8 Lexical
On the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa…
2 Samuel 21:12 Lexical
So David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh Gilead, who had stolen…
1 Chronicles 10:8 Lexical
On the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
1 Samuel 29:1 Lexical
Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek; and the Israelites encamped by the spring which is in J…
1 Samuel 28:5 2 references
1 Samuel 28:7 1 reference
1 Samuel 28:8 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 18:29 Lexical
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but you put on your robes.” So…
1 Kings 22:30 Lexical
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your robes.” The…
Ezekiel 44:19 Lexical
When they go out into the outer court, even into the outer court to the people, they shall put off their garments in whi…
2 Samuel 14:2 Lexical
Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning…
1 Samuel 28:9 5 references
Lexicals 5
Leviticus 20:6 Lexical
“‘The person that turns to those who are mediums and wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face…
2 Kings 23:24 Lexical
Moreover, Josiah removed those who had familiar spirits, the wizards, and the teraphim, and the idols, and all the abomi…
Isaiah 19:3 Lexical
The spirit of the Egyptians will fail within them. I will destroy their counsel. They will seek the idols, the charmers,…
Leviticus 20:27 Lexical
“‘A man or a woman that is a medium or is a wizard shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones. Their…
2 Kings 21:6 Lexical
He made his son to pass through the fire, practiced sorcery, used enchantments, and dealt with those who had familiar sp…
1 Samuel 28:12 1 reference
1 Samuel 28:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 20:18 Lexical
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before…
1 Kings 1:31 Lexical
Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live f…
Numbers 22:31 Lexical
Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the LORD’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his ha…
Nehemiah 8:6 Lexical
Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. All the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the lifting up of their hands. Th…
1 Samuel 15:31 Lexical
So Samuel went back with Saul; and Saul worshiped the LORD.
1 Samuel 28:15 1 reference
1 Samuel 28:20 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Samuel 19:24 Lexical
He also stripped off his clothes. He also prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. T…
1 Samuel 31:4 Lexical
Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and t…
1 Chronicles 10:4 Lexical
Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and a…
1 Samuel 15:16 Lexical
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stay, and I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” He said to him, “Say on.”
1 Samuel 15:11 Lexical
“It grieves me that I have set up Saul to be king, for he has turned back from following me, and has not performed my co…
1 Samuel 28:22 2 references
1 Samuel 28:24 4 references
Lexicals 4
Genesis 18:6 Lexical
Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three seahs of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.”
Hosea 7:4 Lexical
They are all adulterers. They are burning like an oven that the baker stops stirring, from the kneading of the dough, un…
Amos 6:4 Lexical
who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves ou…
Jeremiah 46:21 Lexical
Also her hired men in the middle of her are like calves of the stall, for they also are turned back. They have fled away…
1 Samuel 28:25 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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