1 Samuel 28:15

KJV

¶ And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samuel {H8050} said {H559} to Saul {H7586}, Why hast thou disquieted {H7264} me, to bring me up {H5927}? And Saul {H7586} answered {H559}, I am sore {H3966} distressed {H6887}; for the Philistines {H6430} make war {H3898} against me, and God {H430} is departed {H5493} from me, and answereth {H6030} me no more, neither by {H3027} prophets {H5030}, nor by dreams {H2472}: therefore I have called {H7121} thee, that thou mayest make known {H3045} unto me what I shall do {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sh'mu'el asked Sha'ul, "Why have you disturbed me and brought me up?" Sha'ul answered, "I'm very upset; because the P'lishtim are making war against me; and God has left me and doesn't answer me any more, neither by prophets nor by dreams. This is why I've called you, so that you can let me know what to do."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”

American Standard Version

And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 28:15 captures the profound desperation of King Saul as he confronts the prophet Samuel, seemingly summoned from the dead by the medium of Endor. In this climactic and tragic encounter, Saul articulates his utter spiritual abandonment, confessing that God has departed from him and no longer offers guidance through traditional means, leading him to seek forbidden counsel in his dire straits against the Philistines. This moment powerfully underscores the devastating consequences of persistent disobedience and divine rejection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the heart of the dramatic and controversial account in [1 Samuel 28](/1_samuel/28 "1 Samuel 28 - Saul and the Medium of Endor"). Immediately preceding this, Saul is facing an overwhelming Philistine army at Gilboa, and his attempts to seek divine guidance through legitimate means—dreams, Urim, and prophets—have failed, indicating God's silence and withdrawal ([1 Samuel 28:6](/1_samuel/28-6 "1 Samuel 28:6 - God's Silence to Saul")). Driven by fear and desperation, and despite having previously purged mediums from the land ([1 Samuel 28:3](/1_samuel/28-3 "1 Samuel 28:3 - Saul's Earlier Actions Against Mediums")), Saul disguises himself and seeks out a medium at Endor. The appearance of Samuel, whether a true resurrection by divine allowance or a demonic deception, serves as God's final, damning word to Saul, confirming his rejection and foretelling his imminent demise. This entire chapter serves as a tragic culmination of Saul's spiritual decline, set against the backdrop of the rising star of David.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines, a powerful and technologically advanced people (possessing iron weaponry, unlike Israel), were a constant threat to Israelite sovereignty throughout the period of the judges and early monarchy. The battle at Gilboa was a critical confrontation that would determine the fate of Israel's fledgling kingdom. Culturally, the ancient Near East was rife with practices of necromancy, divination, and consulting spirits of the dead, often associated with pagan religions. However, the Mosaic Law explicitly and repeatedly condemned such practices as an abomination to Yahweh, strictly prohibiting any attempt to communicate with the dead or engage in divination ([Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Prohibition Against Divination")). Saul's act is thus a direct and egregious violation of God's covenant, highlighting his complete spiritual bankruptcy and disregard for divine law in his desperation.

* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in the book of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel "The Book of 1 Samuel - The Rise of Monarchy and Fall of Saul"). Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, as God's withdrawal of communication from Saul is a direct consequence of his persistent disobedience, particularly his failure to fully obey God's command concerning the Amalekites ([1 Samuel 15:9](/1_samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul's Disobedience Regarding Amalekites")) and his unauthorized sacrifice ([1 Samuel 13:13](/1_samuel/13-13 "1 Samuel 13:13 - Saul's Presumptuous Sacrifice")). This leads to **Spiritual Abandonment and Desperation**, where Saul, cut off from God, resorts to forbidden means, demonstrating the futility of seeking guidance outside of God's will. The theme of **Consequences of Disobedience** is starkly presented, showing that rebellion against God leads to isolation, fear, and ultimate downfall, as Samuel himself had previously declared that "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft" ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Samuel's Rebuke to Saul")). Finally, the passage highlights the **Danger of Forbidden Practices**, emphasizing that even in extreme distress, turning to illicit spiritual sources only compounds one's problems and alienates one further from God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **disquieted (Hebrew, _hirgaztani'_):** Derived from the root רָגַז (ragaz), meaning "to tremble, be agitated, be disturbed." Samuel's question, "Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?" implies an interruption of his peaceful rest in the realm of the dead. This highlights the unnatural and unwelcome nature of the summoning, emphasizing the gravity of Saul's transgression and the profound disturbance caused by his desperate act.
* **sore distressed (Hebrew, _niqtsar li'_):** Literally "my spirit is short" or "my soul is cut short." This idiom vividly conveys a sense of extreme anguish, impatience, or desperation. It speaks to Saul's profound psychological and spiritual torment, indicating that he is at the end of his rope, overwhelmed by the circumstances and feeling utterly without hope or recourse. This phrase underscores the depth of his internal crisis.
* **departed from me (Hebrew, _sar me'alay Elohim'_):** The verb סוּר (sur) means "to turn aside, depart, remove." This phrase powerfully expresses Saul's perception of God's complete withdrawal and spiritual abandonment. It signifies a severing of the divine presence and favor, a direct consequence of Saul's persistent rebellion, leaving him feeling isolated and without divine guidance or protection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?"**: This opening statement from Samuel immediately establishes the supernatural and disturbing nature of the encounter. Samuel's question is rhetorical, conveying his displeasure and the unnaturalness of being summoned from the dead. It underscores the gravity of Saul's action, which violates divine law and intrudes upon the peace of the deceased.
* **"And Saul answered, I am sore distressed"**: Saul's immediate response reveals the depth of his anguish and desperation. The phrase "sore distressed" (literally "my spirit is short") vividly portrays his immense psychological and spiritual agony, indicating he is at the end of his tether, overwhelmed by his circumstances and feeling utterly without hope.
* **"for the Philistines make war against me"**: This clause provides the immediate external pressure driving Saul's desperation. The Philistine threat is not merely a military challenge but an existential crisis for the kingdom, intensifying Saul's fear and sense of impending doom. It is the practical, immediate cause of his seeking extraordinary counsel.
* **"and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams"**: This is the core of Saul's confession and the spiritual crisis he faces. He explicitly acknowledges God's withdrawal of favor and communication. The mention of "prophets" (like Samuel himself, and later Gad or Nathan) and "dreams" (a common method of divine revelation, as seen in [Numbers 12:6](/numbers/12-6 "Numbers 12:6 - God Speaks Through Dreams")) highlights that all legitimate avenues of divine guidance have been closed to him, signifying God's judgment and abandonment due to his persistent disobedience.
* **"therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do."**: This final clause reveals the desperate and illicit purpose of Saul's summoning of Samuel. Having exhausted all legitimate means and feeling utterly abandoned by God, Saul resorts to the forbidden practice of necromancy, seeking counsel from the dead prophet. This underscores his spiritual bankruptcy and his willingness to transgress divine law in his ultimate moment of crisis, hoping for a solution where none seems available from God.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is rich in literary devices that amplify its dramatic and tragic impact. **Irony** is prominent, as Saul, who once purged mediums from the land ([1 Samuel 28:3](/1_samuel/28-3 "1 Samuel 28:3 - Saul's Earlier Actions Against Mediums")), now desperately seeks one out. This highlights his hypocrisy and the depth of his spiritual decline. The scene also employs **Pathos**, evoking pity for Saul's profound distress and spiritual abandonment, even as his predicament is a direct result of his own choices. The dialogue itself is a form of **Dramatic Monologue** from Saul's perspective, where his confession reveals his inner turmoil and the complete severing of his relationship with God. Furthermore, the encounter serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, as Samuel's subsequent prophecy (not in this verse, but immediately following) explicitly foretells Saul's death and the transfer of the kingdom to David, sealing Saul's tragic fate. The very appearance of Samuel, whether genuine or a divine allowance, functions as a **Supernatural Intervention**, underscoring the gravity of the moment and the finality of God's judgment on Saul.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 28:15 stands as a profound theological statement on the consequences of persistent disobedience and divine rejection. It illustrates that God's silence is not always an absence, but often a form of judgment, a withdrawal of His presence and guidance from those who stubbornly rebel against His will. Saul's desperate plea underscores the terrifying reality of being cut off from the source of all wisdom and life, leading to a spiritual void that illicit practices cannot fill. This passage serves as a stark warning against spiritual presumption and the futility of seeking answers outside of God's prescribed ways, even in the direst circumstances. It emphasizes that true guidance comes from a right relationship with God, characterized by obedience and trust, not from forbidden shortcuts.

* [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Prohibition Against Divination")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - The Way That Seems Right")
* [Isaiah 8:19-20](/isaiah/8-19 "Isaiah 8:19-20 - Do Not Consult Mediums")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 28:15 offers a sobering reflection on the human tendency to seek answers in forbidden places when legitimate avenues seem closed or God appears silent. Saul's desperation, while understandable from a human perspective, led him to a profound act of disobedience that only deepened his crisis. For us, this passage serves as a powerful reminder that God's silence or apparent absence is often an invitation to deeper introspection, repentance, and a re-evaluation of our relationship with Him. When we feel distressed or cut off from divine guidance, the answer is never to resort to ungodly counsel, illicit practices, or shortcuts that violate God's clear commands. Instead, it is a call to humble ourselves, confess our sins, return to the foundational truths of Scripture, and seek God through prayer, His Word, and godly community, trusting in His sovereignty even when His ways are not immediately clear. Saul's tragic end, foreshadowed in this desperate plea, underscores the profound importance of maintaining an obedient and trusting relationship with God, even in the face of immense pressure and fear.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to seek "forbidden" or ungodly counsel when I feel distressed or God seems silent?**
* **How does Saul's spiritual abandonment challenge my understanding of God's justice and His patience with disobedience?**
* **What legitimate means of seeking God's guidance (prayer, Scripture, community) do I neglect when facing personal crises?**
* **How does Saul's story encourage me to cultivate a consistent, obedient relationship with God, rather than only seeking Him in moments of desperation?**

### FAQ
**Was the figure Samuel truly Samuel, or was it a demonic deception, or merely the medium's trickery?**

Answer: The text of [1 Samuel 28](/1_samuel/28 "1 Samuel 28 - Saul and the Medium of Endor") strongly implies that it was indeed Samuel, supernaturally brought forth by God's allowance, rather than a mere trick or a demonic entity. The medium herself is terrified by the appearance, suggesting something beyond her control or expectation. Furthermore, the message delivered is accurate, prophetic, and consistent with Samuel's previous pronouncements to Saul, confirming God's judgment and Saul's impending death ([1 Samuel 28:17-19](/1_samuel/28-17 "1 Samuel 28:17-19 - Samuel's Prophecy to Saul")). While God strictly forbids necromancy, He is sovereign and can override human actions to achieve His purposes, even using a forbidden act to deliver a final, undeniable word of judgment to a rebellious king.

**Why did God not answer Saul through "prophets, nor by dreams" as Saul claimed?**

Answer: God's silence was a direct consequence of Saul's persistent disobedience and rebellion. Throughout his reign, Saul repeatedly defied God's commands, culminating in God's explicit rejection of him as king ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Samuel's Rebuke to Saul")). God's communication is not guaranteed to those who willfully turn away from Him. His silence was a form of judgment, indicating that the covenant relationship had been severely broken from Saul's side. It was not that God *couldn't* answer, but that He *wouldn't* answer a king who had so thoroughly rejected His authority and Word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 28:15, with Saul's desperate cry of divine abandonment and his futile search for guidance, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate human need for a mediator and the perfect fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. Saul’s lament, "God is departed from me, and answereth me no more," echoes the profound spiritual alienation of humanity due to sin. Unlike Saul, who sought forbidden counsel and faced divine judgment, humanity finds its true and legitimate access to God through the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus is the ultimate Prophet, through whom God has spoken His final and complete word ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). He is the one who experienced true divine abandonment on the cross, crying out, "[My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" so that those who believe in Him might never be forsaken ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave You")). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the chasm of sin is bridged, and believers are reconciled to God, receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit as their constant guide and comforter ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Comforter")). Thus, where Saul found only judgment and silence, believers in Christ find grace, forgiveness, and an eternal, open line of communication with their Heavenly Father, never needing to resort to forbidden means for guidance.

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

Luke 16:23

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke 16:26

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence.

1 Samuel 28:6

And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

1 Samuel 18:12

¶ And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

Proverbs 14:14

¶ The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.

Jeremiah 2:17

Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?

Jeremiah 2:18

And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?