1 Samuel 28:11

KJV

Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} the woman {H802}, Whom shall I bring up {H5927} unto thee? And he said {H559}, Bring me up {H5927} Samuel {H8050}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the woman asked, "Whom should I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up for me Sh'mu'el."

Berean Standard Bible

“Whom shall I bring up for you?” the woman asked. “Bring up Samuel,” he replied.

American Standard Version

Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 28:11 captures a moment of profound desperation in King Saul's life, revealing his ultimate spiritual decline. Having been abandoned by divine counsel and facing an overwhelming Philistine threat, Saul, in direct violation of God's law and his own previous decrees, seeks out a medium in Endor. This verse records the medium's pivotal question regarding whom she should summon from the dead, followed by Saul's immediate and specific request for the deceased prophet Samuel, whose guidance he now desperately craved.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the tragic final chapters of King Saul's reign, immediately following a description of God's silence to Saul (1 Samuel 28:6), who could no longer receive divine guidance through dreams, Urim, or prophets. The preceding verses establish the dire military situation, with the Philistines gathered for battle and Israel encamped at Gilboa (1 Samuel 28:4-5), filling Saul with fear. Crucially, the narrative also reminds the reader that Saul himself had previously purged the land of mediums and spiritualists (1 Samuel 28:3, 1 Samuel 28:9), making his current action a stark and hypocritical reversal. The death of Samuel, mentioned earlier in the book (1 Samuel 25:1), sets the stage for the illicit summoning, as Saul seeks counsel from the one prophet who had both anointed and condemned him. The subsequent verses detail Samuel's appearance and his dire prophecy of Saul's impending defeat and death, underscoring the gravity of this forbidden encounter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of necromancy—communicating with the dead—was prevalent throughout the ancient Near East, often employed by kings and commoners alike to gain insight into the future or to seek counsel. However, such practices were strictly forbidden in Israelite law, as explicitly stated in the Mosaic covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Prohibition of Divination"), [Leviticus 19:31](/leviticus/19-31 "Leviticus 19:31 - Do Not Turn to Mediums"), [Leviticus 20:27](/leviticus/20-27 "Leviticus 20:27 - Penalty for Mediums")). Saul's act was not merely a lapse in judgment but a direct and egregious violation of God's commands, which he, as king, was obligated to uphold. This historical backdrop highlights the profound spiritual crisis Saul faced, where his fear of the Philistines and God's silence led him to transgress fundamental divine prohibitions, revealing the depth of his spiritual rebellion and desperation.
* **Key Themes:** The events surrounding [1 Samuel 28:11](/1_samuel/28-11 "1 Samuel 28:11 - Saul Seeks the Medium of Endor") powerfully illustrate several major theological and narrative themes. Foremost among these is **desperation leading to disobedience**, as Saul's overwhelming fear and lack of divine guidance drive him to forbidden means. This episode also vividly portrays the **consequences of rejecting God's word**, showing how a life marked by repeated disobedience ultimately leads to spiritual abandonment and a tragic end. The narrative underscores the **dangers of seeking spiritual insight from ungodly sources**, serving as a cautionary tale against turning away from God's revealed will, especially when faced with fear or uncertainty. Furthermore, it highlights the **finality of divine judgment**, as God's silence to Saul signifies a definitive withdrawal of favor and guidance, leaving the king to his own devices and the inevitable consequences of his choices.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bring up (Hebrew, _‘alah'_):** This verb literally means "to ascend," "to go up," or "to cause to come up." In this context, it carries the specific connotation of summoning a spirit or a deceased person from the realm of the dead (Sheol). It clearly defines the medium's role as a necromancer, one who attempts to bridge the gap between the living and the dead, a practice explicitly forbidden by God. Saul's use of this term confirms his intent to engage in necromancy.
* **Samuel (Hebrew, _Shmu'el'_):** Meaning "Heard of God" or "Name of God," Samuel was the revered prophet who had anointed Saul as king and later delivered God's message of rejection to him. Saul's specific request for Samuel underscores his desperate need for the counsel of this particular prophet, whom he had once scorned but whose authority and connection to God he still recognized, even in death. The name itself carries prophetic weight, emphasizing the irony of Saul seeking wisdom from the very source he had alienated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee?":** This clause establishes the medium's active role in the forbidden act and confirms her understanding of Saul's purpose. Her question is an invitation for Saul to name the specific deceased individual he wishes to consult, highlighting his complicity and direct involvement in the act of necromancy. It also subtly emphasizes the power dynamic, as she controls the "bringing up," but Saul dictates the "whom."
* **"And he said, Bring me up Samuel.":** Saul's immediate and unequivocal response reveals the depth of his desperation and his single-minded focus. His choice of Samuel, the prophet who had been the instrument of his anointing and subsequent rejection, indicates his belief that only Samuel could provide the guidance or insight he so desperately sought, even if it meant violating God's explicit commands and his own past actions. This direct command underscores his profound spiritual bankruptcy and his reliance on a human figure rather than renewed repentance and seeking God through legitimate means.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [1 Samuel 28:11](/1_samuel/28-11 "1 Samuel 28:11 - Saul Seeks the Medium of Endor") is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. **Irony** is prominent, as Saul, who had previously purged mediums and spiritualists from Israel (1 Samuel 28:3), now disguises himself to seek out such a person. This highlights his hypocrisy and the tragic reversal of his own policies. There is also significant **foreshadowing**, as the summoning of Samuel immediately precedes the prophet's grim prophecy of Saul's defeat and death, building suspense for the reader. **Dramatic Irony** is at play, as the audience is aware of Saul's impending doom, making his desperate and forbidden act even more poignant and futile. The scene also employs **pathos**, evoking pity for Saul's profound desperation and the spiritual agony that drives him to such an extreme measure, cut off from divine guidance and facing certain destruction. The narrative's stark portrayal of Saul's spiritual decline serves as a powerful **cautionary tale**.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 28:11 stands as a stark testament to the tragic consequences of spiritual rebellion and the dangers of seeking counsel outside of God's revealed will. Saul's actions represent the culmination of a life marked by disobedience, culminating in God's silence—a severe form of divine judgment. This episode underscores the theological truth that when humanity turns away from God, even in desperation, resorting to forbidden means only deepens the chasm between creator and creature. It highlights God's sovereignty, even over illicit acts, in delivering a final, damning word to a king who had repeatedly spurned His grace. The narrative serves as a powerful warning against the allure of forbidden practices and the importance of steadfast faith and patience in God's timing, rather than succumbing to fear and seeking answers from sources God has prohibited.

* [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Prohibition of Divination")
* [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft")
* [Isaiah 8:19-20](/isaiah/8-19 "Isaiah 8:19-20 - Do Not Consult Mediums")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Saul's desperate plea in 1 Samuel 28:11 offers a profound opportunity for self-reflection for believers today. When faced with overwhelming fear, uncertainty, or a perceived silence from God, where do we turn for guidance and comfort? Saul's tragic example reminds us that true security and wisdom are found not in forbidden shortcuts or human ingenuity, but in steadfast trust in God's sovereignty and faithful adherence to His revealed Word. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we willing to wait on the Lord, even when answers are slow in coming, or do we, like Saul, resort to means outside of God's will? It underscores the importance of cultivating a relationship with God rooted in obedience and faith, ensuring that our source of counsel is always divine and righteous.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we respond when God seems silent or when our prayers feel unanswered?**
* **What are the "forbidden paths" or illicit sources of comfort/guidance that we might be tempted to turn to in moments of desperation?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and timing, even when circumstances are dire and answers are not immediately apparent?**
* **In what ways might we, like Saul, be tempted to compromise our biblical convictions when under extreme pressure or fear?**

### FAQ
**Was it really Samuel who appeared to Saul, or was it a demonic impersonation?**

Answer: The biblical text strongly implies that it was indeed the genuine prophet Samuel who appeared. The woman's immediate and extreme fear (1 Samuel 28:12), Saul's recognition of Samuel, and critically, the accurate and detailed prophecy delivered by Samuel concerning Saul's death and the defeat of Israel (1 Samuel 28:19) all point to the authenticity of the appearance. While some theological interpretations suggest a demonic impersonation to avoid the idea of God allowing such a forbidden act, the narrative itself presents it as Samuel, underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty even over forbidden acts to deliver His judgment. It was not an act of divine approval for necromancy, but a demonstration of God's control, even in an illicit context, to pronounce a final, damning word to a disobedient king.

**Why did God allow Samuel to appear if He had forbidden necromancy and was silent to Saul?**

Answer: God's allowance of Samuel's appearance was not an endorsement of necromancy, nor did it signify a reversal of His silence to Saul. Rather, it served as a powerful and terrifying demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty and control, even over the realm of the dead and over human sin. Having cut off all legitimate channels of communication due to Saul's persistent disobedience, God used this illicit means to deliver a final, unalterable word of judgment. It was a dramatic, divine intervention to confirm Saul's doom, leaving him without hope or excuse. This event highlights that even when humans defy God's commands, God remains sovereign, capable of using any means to accomplish His purposes, particularly in delivering judgment. It underscores that God's silence to Saul was a form of judgment, and this appearance was the final, devastating pronouncement of that judgment, not a new avenue for divine guidance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic account of Saul's desperate search for a word from the dead in [1 Samuel 28:11](/1_samuel/28-11 "1 Samuel 28:11 - Saul Seeks the Medium of Endor") powerfully contrasts with the ultimate reality found in Jesus Christ. Saul, cut off from the living God, sought counsel from a deceased prophet through forbidden means, highlighting humanity's profound need for a mediator and a reliable source of truth. In stark contrast, Christ is the **living Word** (as proclaimed in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") and [Revelation 19:13](/revelation/19-13 "Revelation 19:13 - The Word of God")), who not only speaks for God but *is* God. Saul's inability to hear from God directly underscores the chasm between a sinful humanity and a holy God, a gap that only Christ could bridge. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus became the **one mediator between God and mankind** ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator")), providing direct access to the Father. Furthermore, unlike Samuel, who was summoned from the realm of the dead, Christ **conquered death** through His resurrection ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection"), [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")), liberating humanity from its fear. Believers no longer need to fear death or resort to illicit means for guidance; instead, we have **bold access to the throne of grace** ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")) and all the treasures of **wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ** ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - All Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). He is the ultimate and perfect source of divine counsel, eternally alive and accessible to all who believe.

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.