1 Samuel 28:16

KJV

Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} Samuel {H8050}, Wherefore then dost thou ask {H7592} of me, seeing the LORD {H3068} is departed {H5493} from thee, and is become thine enemy {H6145}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Sh'mu'el said, "Why ask me, if ADONAI has left you and become your enemy?

Berean Standard Bible

“Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy?

American Standard Version

And Samuel said, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing Jehovah is departed from thee, and is become thine adversary?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 28:16 delivers a chilling and definitive pronouncement from the prophet Samuel to King Saul, articulating the tragic culmination of Saul's persistent disobedience: the LORD has definitively withdrawn His presence and favor from Saul and has now positioned Himself as Saul's adversary. This verse underscores the irreversible consequences of rebellion against divine will, revealing a king stripped of divine support and facing imminent judgment, a direct result of his desperate and forbidden attempt to consult the dead.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic and devastating response from the prophet Samuel, conjured by Saul through the medium of Endor. Prior to this, Saul, facing an overwhelming Philistine army and utterly abandoned by God—who refused 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"))—desperately sought guidance. Despite his earlier efforts to purge the land of mediums and spiritists, a direct violation of God's law, Saul resorted to this forbidden practice. The appearance of Samuel, or a divine manifestation perceived as such, is shocking and dire, serving not to offer comfort or counsel, but to confirm Saul's doom and the transfer of his kingdom to David. This encounter immediately precedes the fatal Battle of Gilboa, setting the stage for Saul's demise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the king was expected to be God's anointed representative, ruling according to divine law and seeking counsel from legitimate prophetic channels. The practice of necromancy, or consulting the dead, was strictly forbidden under the Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Prohibition of Necromancy")), being associated with pagan practices and a direct affront to God's sovereignty as the sole source of true revelation. Saul's desperate act was not merely a lapse in judgment but a profound act of rebellion against the very God who had established him as king. This context highlights the gravity of Saul's sin, demonstrating his utter spiritual bankruptcy and his willingness to transgress even his own past decrees in his desperation, a stark contrast to the expected conduct of God's chosen leader.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is **Divine Abandonment and the Consequences of Disobedience**. Samuel's words confirm that God has irrevocably withdrawn His Spirit and favor from Saul, a process that began earlier in Saul's reign ([1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit of the LORD Departs from Saul")). This withdrawal is a direct, just consequence of Saul's repeated and profound disobedience, particularly his failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Rebellion and Stubbornness")). Another key theme is **God's Unwavering Justice and Sovereignty**. Samuel's declaration underscores that God's character demands justice; persistent rebellion, even from an anointed king, will incur divine opposition. God remains sovereign, even over the consequences of human sin and the unfolding of judgment. Finally, the verse highlights **Saul's Tragic Spiritual Decline**, depicting the culmination of his descent from a humble, chosen king to a desperate, fear-ridden man who ultimately rebels against God's explicit commands, sealing his own fate.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ask (Hebrew, _sha'al'_):** The verb "ask" (שָׁאַל, _sha'al_) is ironically the root of Saul's own name (שָׁאוּל, _Sha'ul_), which means "asked" or "desired." Here, Samuel's rhetorical question, "Wherefore then dost thou ask of me," highlights the futility and hypocrisy of Saul's inquiry. Saul had previously "asked" of the LORD through legitimate means, but God had ceased to answer. Now, in his desperation, Saul asks of a forbidden source, yet the answer he receives is not new revelation but a confirmation of the judgment already pronounced, emphasizing the pointlessness of seeking counsel from the dead when the living God has turned away.
* **Departed (Hebrew, _sur'_):** The word "departed" (סוּר, _sur_) signifies a deliberate turning away, removal, or withdrawal. It is not a passive absence but an active, decisive act of God. This emphasizes the intentionality of God's abandonment of Saul, a direct consequence of Saul's actions. It implies a severing of the divine-human relationship that once characterized Saul's kingship, signifying the removal of God's favor, empowering Spirit, and protective presence.
* **Enemy (Hebrew, _tzar'_):** The term for "enemy" (צַר, _tzar_) denotes an adversary, oppressor, or one in a hostile relationship. This is a profoundly terrifying and shocking declaration: the God who chose, anointed, and empowered Saul has now actively positioned Himself as Saul's antagonist. This is not merely a withdrawal of blessing but an active opposition, signifying that God is now working against Saul's interests, aligning with the Philistines to bring about his downfall. It underscores the ultimate consequence of unrepentant rebellion: turning the very source of life and blessing into an active opponent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said Samuel,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the authority and gravity of the speaker. The appearance of Samuel himself, whether truly his spirit or a divinely permitted manifestation, lends immense weight to the ensuing words, confirming their divine origin and unchangeable nature. It is a direct, personal confrontation from the prophet who first anointed Saul.
* **"Wherefore then dost thou ask of me,"**: This is a powerful rhetorical question, full of irony and condemnation. Samuel's question highlights the absurdity and futility of Saul's desperate act. It implies, "Why are you asking me, as if I have new information or a different message, when the truth has already been made clear by the LORD Himself?" It underscores Saul's spiritual blindness and his refusal to accept the divine verdict.
* **"seeing the LORD is departed from thee,"**: This clause confirms the foundational reason for Saul's predicament. God's departure is the root cause of Saul's desperation and his inability to receive divine guidance. It signifies the removal of God's empowering Spirit, His favor, and His protective hand. This is not a temporary withdrawal but a decisive and final separation, a direct consequence of Saul's persistent disobedience and rebellion against God's commands.
* **"and is become thine enemy?"**: This is the most chilling and devastating part of the pronouncement. It elevates God's withdrawal to active opposition. The LORD is not merely absent; He is now actively working against Saul. This signifies that Saul's fate is sealed; his rebellion has led to a state where the Almighty God, who once blessed and guided him, is now his adversary, ensuring his downfall. This declaration foreshadows Saul's imminent defeat and death.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich with **Irony**, particularly **Dramatic Irony**. Saul, who once purged mediums from the land, now desperately seeks one out, only to receive a message of doom from the very prophet he sought to avoid in his disobedience. The rhetorical question, "Wherefore then dost thou ask of me," serves as a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, not seeking an answer but emphasizing the futility and self-condemnation of Saul's actions. There is also profound **Foreshadowing** in Samuel's words, as the declaration that "the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy" directly precedes and explains Saul's impending defeat and death at the Battle of Gilboa. The description of God as "thine enemy" employs a form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human-like adversarial role to God to convey the intensity and directness of divine judgment against Saul's persistent rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 28:16 stands as a stark testament to the gravity of unrepentant sin and the unchanging nature of God's justice. It reveals that while God is merciful and long-suffering, there is a point where persistent rebellion leads to the withdrawal of divine favor and even active opposition. This is not an arbitrary act but a righteous response to a king who repeatedly defied God's commands and rejected His authority. The verse underscores God's sovereignty over all creation, including the consequences of human choices, demonstrating that He remains in control even when His chosen instruments fail. It serves as a profound warning against spiritual compromise and the dangers of seeking counsel outside of God's revealed will, emphasizing that true wisdom and guidance come only from the LORD.

* [Proverbs 1:28](/proverbs/1-28 "Proverbs 1:28 - When God Does Not Answer")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")
* [Hebrews 10:26-27](/hebrews/10-26-27 "Hebrews 10:26-27 - Consequences of Deliberate Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This chilling encounter between Samuel and Saul forces us to confront the profound consequences of persistent disobedience and spiritual compromise. Saul's desperation, born from a life of self-will and rebellion, led him to forbidden practices, ultimately sealing his doom. For us, this passage serves as a potent reminder that our relationship with God is predicated on obedience and trust. When we repeatedly ignore God's voice, neglect His commands, or seek answers outside of His revealed will, we risk experiencing a withdrawal of His manifest presence and blessing. This doesn't mean God ceases to exist or love us, but that our fellowship with Him can be severely hindered, leading to spiritual barrenness and a sense of abandonment. True guidance and peace come only from seeking God through legitimate means—His Word, prayer, and the community of believers—and cultivating a heart of repentance and submission. It challenges us to examine our own lives: are there areas where we are stubbornly resisting God's will? Are we seeking Him genuinely, or resorting to our own desperate measures when faced with trials, rather than trusting in His sovereign plan and provision?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly resisting God's will, leading to a sense of spiritual distance?**
* **How do I typically respond when God seems silent or when I don't receive the answers I desire? Do I resort to desperate, unbiblical measures?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a heart of deeper obedience and trust in God's revealed Word, even when circumstances are challenging?**
* **How does Saul's tragic end serve as a warning for my own spiritual journey, prompting me to pursue consistent repentance and reliance on God?**

### FAQ

**Was the spirit Samuel, or a demon impersonating him?**

Answer: The text states, "Then said Samuel," and the narrative treats the appearance as genuinely Samuel. While the act of necromancy was forbidden, the Bible often records instances where God directly intervenes in extraordinary ways, even through unconventional means, to accomplish His purposes. In this case, God allowed Samuel to appear, not to endorse necromancy, but to deliver a final, authoritative judgment to Saul. It was a divine intervention, not a successful human manipulation of the spiritual realm. The message delivered is consistent with God's previous pronouncements through Samuel, confirming its divine origin.

**How can God, who is love, become "thine enemy"?**

Answer: The phrase "become thine enemy" should be understood within the context of a covenant relationship and divine justice. God's nature is love ([1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God Is Love")), but He is also holy and just. When an individual, especially one in covenant with Him like Saul, persistently and unrepentantly rebels against His commands and rejects His authority, God's righteous judgment is enacted. His "enmity" here signifies His active opposition to Saul's rebellion and His determination to uphold His righteous standards and promises. It is a consequence of Saul's choices, not a change in God's character. God's opposition to Saul was an expression of His justice, upholding the integrity of His covenant and demonstrating the serious consequences of sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Saul, culminating in God becoming his "enemy" due to persistent disobedience, powerfully foreshadows the need for a perfect King who would never deviate from God's will. Saul's failure highlights the inability of humanity, even an anointed king, to maintain a righteous standing before God through self-effort. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ is the perfectly obedient Son, the true King of Israel, who never sought His own will but always did the will of the Father ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")). Where Saul's rebellion led to divine abandonment and enmity, Christ's perfect obedience, even unto death on the cross, reconciled humanity to God. He bore the divine enmity against sin, becoming sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Through faith in Christ, God is no longer an enemy but a loving Father, and His Spirit, which departed from Saul, is poured out freely upon all believers, empowering them to live in obedience and fellowship ([Romans 8:9-11](/romans/8-9-11 "Romans 8:9-11 - The Spirit of Christ in Believers")). Christ's reign establishes a new covenant where God's presence is guaranteed, and His relationship with His people is one of enduring grace and peace, never again marked by the kind of abandonment experienced by Saul.

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

Lamentations 2:5

The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

Psalms 68:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm [or] Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

Psalms 68:3

But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Revelation 18:20

Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

2 Kings 6:27

And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?

Revelation 18:24

And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Revelation 19:6

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.