1 Samuel 28:10

KJV

And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, [As] the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Saul {H7586} sware {H7650} to her by the LORD {H3068}, saying {H559}, As the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, there shall {H518} no punishment {H5771} happen {H7136} to thee for this thing {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Sha'ul swore to her by ADONAI, "As ADONAI lives, you will not be punished for doing this."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.”

American Standard Version

And Saul sware to her by Jehovah, saying, As Jehovah liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 28:10 captures a pivotal and tragic moment in King Saul's life, revealing the profound depths of his spiritual desperation and moral compromise. Having been abandoned by God and facing imminent battle, Saul, in a desperate attempt to gain divine counsel, swears a solemn oath by the LORD to protect the medium of Endor. This oath, given to facilitate a forbidden act of necromancy, stands in stark and hypocritical contrast to Saul's earlier enforcement of God's law against such practices, underscoring the tragic consequences of his persistent rebellion against divine authority and his complete spiritual decline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at a critical juncture, immediately following God's silence to Saul's legitimate inquiries through dreams, Urim, and prophets [1 Samuel 28:6](/1_samuel/28-6 "1 Samuel 28:6 - God's Silence to Saul"). The narrative emphasizes Saul's utter isolation and fear as he faces the formidable Philistine army. Having previously purged the land of all mediums and spiritists in supposed obedience to the Mosaic Law [1 Samuel 28:3](/1_samuel/28-3 "1 Samuel 28:3 - Saul's Purge of Mediums"), Saul's secret visit to the medium of Endor, disguised to avoid recognition, highlights the tragic culmination of his spiritual apostasy. The oath in verse 10 is a crucial element in establishing trust with the fearful medium, enabling the subsequent, highly controversial, and divinely permitted appearance of Samuel's spirit. This act serves as the final, desperate attempt by Saul to secure guidance outside of God's prescribed ways, ultimately confirming his doom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite society was governed by the Mosaic Law, which unequivocally condemned and prohibited all forms of divination, necromancy, and communication with the dead as "detestable abominations" [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10-12 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Prohibition of Divination and Sorcery"). The penalty for engaging in such practices was death, as explicitly stated in [Leviticus 20:27](/leviticus/20-27 "Leviticus 20:27 - Penalty for Mediums"). Saul's earlier actions to enforce this law underscore its gravity and his initial, albeit inconsistent, commitment to God's commands. His clandestine journey to Endor, a place likely known for such illicit activities, vividly illustrates the desperation of a king who, having forfeited divine favor, resorts to forbidden means, even at the cost of violating his own edicts and God's clear word. The solemnity of an oath sworn "by the LORD" (Yahweh) was paramount in ancient Israel, serving as a binding covenant that invoked divine judgment upon falsehood, making Saul's misuse of it particularly egregious.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully illustrates the themes of **desperation and hypocrisy**, as Saul, abandoned by God due to his persistent disobedience, resorts to the very practices he once condemned, invoking God's holy name to sanction his sin. This episode further highlights the destructive nature of **disobedience and rebellion**, showcasing Saul's consistent rejection of God's revealed will, a pattern that began with his failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites and ultimately led to his [rejection as king](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Rejection for Disobedience"). The sanctity and profound misuse of **oaths** are also central, as Saul's vow, though made in a context of profound sin, underscores the gravity with which such promises, especially those invoking the divine name, were regarded in the ancient world. This entire episode serves as a stark and sobering warning about the perils of seeking counsel outside of God's revealed truth when confronted with overwhelming fear or uncertainty, demonstrating the spiritual consequences of abandoning divine authority.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sware (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** This verb (H7650) means "to swear an oath," implying the act of binding oneself by a solemn vow, typically invoking a divine witness or guarantor. When used in conjunction with "by the LORD" (בַּיהוָה), it signifies the most serious and binding form of oath, placing the speaker under divine judgment if the oath is broken. The profound irony here is that Saul, who has been rejected by the LORD (H3068) and is actively disobeying His command, presumes to use the very name of the LORD to guarantee a promise that facilitates further disobedience.
* **liveth (Hebrew, _chay'_):** The Hebrew word (H2416) for "liveth" signifies "alive" or "living." In the oath formula "As the LORD liveth," it affirms the active, vibrant, and ever-present reality of God. It functions as a powerful self-imprecation, essentially stating, "May the living God strike me dead if I do not keep this promise." For Saul to utter such a phrase in this context highlights his profound spiritual blindness; he invokes the living God to sanction an act that is an abomination to that very God, demonstrating a desperate attempt to legitimize his forbidden actions.
* **punishment (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** The Hebrew word (H5771) translated as "punishment" is rich in meaning, encompassing "perversity," "iniquity," "guilt," and the "punishment (of iniquity)." Thus, Saul is not merely promising freedom from a legal penalty, but assuring the medium that no "iniquity" or "guilt" will be attributed to her for this act. He effectively promises immunity from both human and divine retribution for engaging in a practice explicitly forbidden by God's law, revealing the extent of his desperate attempt to circumvent the moral and legal consequences of a grave sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul sware to her by the LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes the extreme solemnity and gravity of Saul's oath. By swearing "by the LORD" (Yahweh, H3068), Saul invokes the personal covenant name of God, making God Himself the guarantor of his promise. This is an act of profound hypocrisy, as Saul, who has been abandoned by God for his disobedience, now presumes to use God's holy name to facilitate a forbidden act of necromancy. It underscores the depth of his spiritual depravity and desperation.
* **"saying, [As] the LORD liveth":** This is a common and powerful oath formula in ancient Israel, affirming the living reality and active presence of God as the ultimate witness and enforcer of the oath. It functions as a self-imprecation, essentially saying, "May the LORD strike me dead if I do not keep this promise." For Saul to utter such a phrase in this context highlights his profound spiritual blindness; he invokes the living God to sanction an act that is an abomination to that very God.
* **"there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing":** This is the substance of Saul's promise to the medium. He guarantees her immunity from the legal and societal consequences of her forbidden practice, which, according to Mosaic Law, was punishable by death [Leviticus 20:27](/leviticus/20-27 "Leviticus 20:27 - Penalty for Mediums"). This promise is a desperate measure to gain her cooperation, revealing Saul's willingness to violate God's law and his own prior decrees in his frantic search for answers outside of God's revealed will. The word "thing" (H1697, _dâbâr_) here broadly refers to the entire illicit affair of divination.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to highlight Saul's tragic state. **Irony** is paramount, as King Saul, who once purged mediums from the land in obedience to God's law, now desperately seeks one out and swears by the very God he is disobeying to protect her. This highlights the tragic **decline** of Saul's character and reign, moving from a divinely appointed king to a desperate, hypocritical figure. The use of a **solemn oath** ("As the LORD liveth") in such a profane context serves as a powerful form of **contrast**, emphasizing the chasm between God's holiness and Saul's spiritual rebellion. The narrative also builds **suspense**, as the reader anticipates the consequences of this forbidden consultation, knowing God's previous silence and Saul's history of disobedience, creating a sense of impending doom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 28:10 serves as a stark theological commentary on the dangers of spiritual desperation and the profound consequences of persistent disobedience. It underscores the principle that when individuals or nations abandon God's revealed will and seek counsel through forbidden means, they plunge themselves into deeper spiritual darkness and compromise. Saul's actions demonstrate a complete inversion of righteous leadership, where the king, meant to uphold God's law, actively subverts it for personal gain, highlighting the insidious nature of hypocrisy. This passage stands as a powerful warning against seeking answers or comfort outside the boundaries of God's Word and His prescribed ways, reminding believers that even in the most dire circumstances, faithfulness to God's commands remains paramount. It illustrates that God's silence is not an invitation to disobedience, but often a consequence of prior rebellion, and that true guidance is found only in His revealed truth.

* [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10-12 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominable Practices")
* [Leviticus 20:6](/leviticus/20-6 "Leviticus 20:6 - Warning Against Consulting Mediums")
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - Deceitfulness of the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Saul's tragic story in 1 Samuel 28:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, serving as a powerful reminder that desperation, when untethered from faith and obedience, can lead to catastrophic spiritual compromise. When we face overwhelming challenges, perceive God's silence, or are tempted to find quick solutions outside of His revealed will, Saul's example warns us against resorting to forbidden means, whether literal divination or more subtle forms of seeking counsel from ungodly sources or trusting in our own flawed understanding. Our integrity, especially in our promises and vows, should reflect our unwavering commitment to God, not our willingness to manipulate His name or His principles for our own ends. The passage calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereignty and His timing, even when answers are not immediately apparent, and to consistently seek His guidance through prayer, diligent study of His Word, and godly counsel, rather than succumbing to the allure of forbidden paths.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to seek answers or comfort outside of God's revealed will when facing desperation or perceived divine silence?**
* **How does Saul's hypocrisy challenge me to examine the consistency between my public profession of faith and my private actions, especially when under pressure?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the sanctity of oaths and promises, and how can I ensure my words reflect integrity and honor God before others?**
* **How can I cultivate deeper trust in God's faithfulness and wisdom, even when His ways are unclear or His answers are delayed, rather than resorting to ungodly shortcuts?**

### FAQ

**Why did Saul seek a medium when he had previously outlawed them?**

Answer: Saul sought a medium out of extreme desperation and spiritual abandonment. God had ceased to answer him through traditional means like dreams, Urim, or prophets [1 Samuel 28:6](/1_samuel/28-6 "1 Samuel 28:6 - God's Silence to Saul"). Facing a formidable Philistine army and sensing his impending doom, Saul, in a moment of profound fear and spiritual decline, resorted to the very practices he had previously purged from the land, demonstrating the depths of his hypocrisy and his willingness to violate God's clear commands [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10-12 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Prohibition of Divination") in a desperate attempt to gain guidance. His actions reveal the tragic extent to which a heart hardened by disobedience will go to find answers outside of God's will.

**Was the medium truly able to summon Samuel, or was it a deception?**

Answer: The text of 1 Samuel 28 describes the appearance of Samuel in a way that strongly suggests a genuine, albeit divinely permitted and extraordinary, manifestation, rather than a mere deception by the medium. The medium herself is terrified by what she sees, crying out in alarm [1 Samuel 28:12](/1_samuel/28-12 "1 Samuel 28:12 - Medium's Fear"), indicating that something beyond her control or usual practice occurred. Furthermore, Samuel's message to Saul is accurate and profoundly prophetic, foretelling his death and the transfer of the kingdom to David [1 Samuel 28:19](/1_samuel/28-19 "1 Samuel 28:19 - Samuel's Prophecy to Saul"), a truth only God could reveal. While God strictly forbids necromancy, He is sovereign and can choose to intervene even in forbidden contexts to achieve His purposes, as He did in this unique and extraordinary instance to deliver a final, damning word of judgment to Saul.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic account of Saul's desperation and his hypocritical oath to the medium of Endor starkly contrasts with the perfect obedience and ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. Saul, a king chosen by God, ultimately rebels against divine authority, seeking forbidden knowledge and invoking God's name in a context of profound spiritual compromise. His story highlights humanity's propensity to stray from God's revealed will when faced with fear and uncertainty, leading to spiritual darkness and judgment. In contrast, Jesus Christ, the true and eternal King, perfectly submitted to His Father's will, even unto death on the cross [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience unto Death"). He is the ultimate source of divine wisdom and guidance, the one through whom God truly speaks to humanity, having spoken in these last days by His Son [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son"). Unlike Saul, who sought to manipulate spiritual forces for his own desperate ends, Christ offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, breaking the power of sin and death, and providing a way for humanity to commune with God not through forbidden means, but through His atoning work and the New Covenant established in His blood [Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Christ's Triumph Over Sin and Powers"). His life, death, and resurrection demonstrate that true peace, guidance, and reconciliation are found not in desperate attempts to bypass God's commands, but in faithful reliance upon the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and through whom we have access to the Father [Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 14:39

For, [as] the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But [there was] not a man among all the people [that] answered him.

Deuteronomy 18:10

There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

Deuteronomy 18:12

For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Exodus 20:7

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

1 Samuel 19:6

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, [As] the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

Matthew 26:72

And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

2 Samuel 14:11

Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.