1 Samuel 28:22

KJV

Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken {H8085} thou also unto the voice {H6963} of thine handmaid {H8198}, and let me set {H7760} a morsel {H6595} of bread {H3899} before {H6440} thee; and eat {H398}, that thou mayest have strength {H3581}, when thou goest {H3212} on thy way {H1870}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now therefore, please, you listen to what your servant says: let me put a little food in front of you; then eat, so you will have some strength when you go on your way."

Berean Standard Bible

Now please listen to your servant and let me set a morsel of bread before you so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.”

American Standard Version

Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thy handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 28:22 captures a profound moment of unexpected compassion and practical care extended to King Saul in his deepest hour of despair. Having received a devastating prophecy of his impending death and Israel's defeat from the spirit of Samuel, Saul is utterly prostrate, physically and emotionally depleted. In this verse, the medium of Endor, whom Saul had previously sought to eradicate, humbly and insistently offers him essential sustenance, recognizing his dire physical state and the overwhelming burden he carries, aiming to restore his strength for the journey ahead.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within the climactic and tragic narrative of King Saul's final days, immediately following the terrifying encounter with the spirit of Samuel. After Saul's repeated disobedience led to God's rejection of him as king, and with the Philistine army arrayed against Israel, Saul desperately sought divine guidance. When God remained silent through traditional means (dreams, Urim, prophets, as mentioned in [1 Samuel 28:6](/1_samuel/28-6 "1 Samuel 28:6 - God's Silence to Saul")), he resorted to the forbidden practice of necromancy. The medium, initially terrified upon realizing her client was King Saul (who had previously purged the land of such practitioners, as noted in [1 Samuel 28:9](/1_samuel/28-9 "1 Samuel 28:9 - Saul's Purge of Mediums")), witnesses Saul's complete collapse after Samuel's dire prophecy of his impending death and the transfer of his kingdom to David ([1 Samuel 28:19](/1_samuel/28-19 "1 Samuel 28:19 - Samuel's Prophecy to Saul")). Saul "fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night" ([1 Samuel 28:20](/1_samuel/28-20 "1 Samuel 28:20 - Saul's Collapse")). It is in this moment of utter physical and spiritual desolation that the medium, despite the immense personal risk and Saul's past hostility, is moved with pity and offers him sustenance, urging him to eat.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of consulting a medium or engaging in necromancy was strictly forbidden by Mosaic Law, as explicitly stated in [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Prohibition of Divination"). Saul himself had previously enforced this prohibition, attempting to rid the land of such practices. This background highlights the profound desperation that led Saul to transgress such a fundamental command. Furthermore, ancient Near Eastern culture placed a high value on hospitality, especially towards travelers or those in distress. While the medium's profession was illicit, her act of offering food and comfort to a man in profound physical and emotional collapse aligns with this broader cultural expectation of caring for the vulnerable. Saul's physical state—having gone without food for a day and a night—was a common consequence of extreme distress or fasting, and the restoration of strength through basic sustenance was a recognized necessity for continued travel or action.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully illustrates several key themes. **Profound Despair and Exhaustion** is central, as Saul's physical and mental state is depicted as utterly broken, emphasizing the devastating impact of divine judgment and the terror of impending fate. He is described as having "no strength in him" ([1 Samuel 28:20](/1_samuel/28-20 "1 Samuel 28:20 - Saul's Physical State")), a condition exacerbated by his fasting. This highlights the basic human need for sustenance when facing overwhelming spiritual or emotional burdens. Another prominent theme is **Compassion and Hospitality**, exemplified by the medium's unexpected act of kindness. Despite the immense personal risk and Saul's earlier persecution of her kind, she extends genuine care, offering food and comfort to a man in deep distress. This showcases the universal human capacity for empathy, even in morally ambiguous situations, and stands in stark contrast to the divine rejection Saul has experienced. Finally, the **Weight of Prophecy** is evident, as Samuel's dire message completely crushes Saul's spirit, demonstrating the profound and often terrifying impact of divine pronouncements, particularly those of judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Handmaid (Hebrew, _'amāthekhā'_):** This term, "thine handmaid," is a humble and respectful form of address used by an inferior to a superior. In this context, it underscores the medium's submissive posture despite the immense power imbalance and Saul's prior hostility towards her profession. It highlights her compassionate plea, not as an equal, but as one seeking to serve and provide succor to a distressed king, demonstrating a remarkable lack of resentment and a genuine desire to help.
* **Morsel of Bread (Hebrew, _path lekhem'_):** This phrase refers to a simple, essential piece of food, often a small portion of bread. It signifies the basic, life-sustaining nature of her offer. It's not a lavish meal, but the fundamental sustenance necessary to restore physical strength. The simplicity of the offering underscores the medium's practical and immediate concern for Saul's most basic need.
* **Strength (Hebrew, _koakh'_):** While primarily referring to physical strength, the term can also encompass vigor, power, or even inner fortitude. In Saul's context, having collapsed from fear and hunger, the "strength" she offers is both physical restoration to stand and travel, but also implicitly a small measure of resilience to face the inevitable. It is the vital energy needed to continue his journey, both literal and metaphorical, towards his grim destiny.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid":** This opening phrase reveals the medium's persistent and humble entreaty. She has already urged Saul to eat in [1 Samuel 28:21](/1_samuel/28-21 "1 Samuel 28:21 - The Medium's Initial Plea"), and here she reiterates her plea, acknowledging his profound distress but insisting on the necessity of her counsel. Her self-identification as "thine handmaid" emphasizes her subservient role while simultaneously asserting her compassionate authority in this specific moment of care.
* **"and let me set a morsel of bread before thee":** This clause highlights the practical and immediate nature of her compassion. She is not offering empty words but tangible, life-sustaining provision. The "morsel of bread" signifies a basic, humble, yet profoundly necessary act of hospitality and care, directly addressing Saul's physical depletion.
* **"and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way":** This final clause articulates the clear purpose behind her offer: the restoration of Saul's physical strength. She understands that without sustenance, he cannot continue his journey, which is both a literal reference to his return trip and a poignant metaphorical reference to his final, tragic path towards the battle in which he will die. It is an act of practical mercy, enabling him to face his grim fate with at least some physical capacity.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is rich with **Irony**, as King Saul, who had previously purged the land of mediums and diviners, now finds himself in a position of utter vulnerability, dependent on the very kind of person he sought to eradicate. The medium, whom he persecuted, becomes his unexpected benefactor, offering him life-sustaining aid. This creates a stark **Contrast** between Saul's past actions and his present predicament, and between the divine judgment he has just received and the human compassion he is now shown. The **Symbolism** of "bread" is also potent; it represents not just physical nourishment but also life, sustenance, and the basic provision necessary for existence. In this context, the bread offered by the medium becomes a symbol of unexpected grace and the universal human need for basic care, even in the darkest spiritual circumstances. The medium's persistent plea also employs **Pathos**, appealing to Saul's immediate need for physical restoration, despite the overwhelming spiritual terror he has just experienced.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while seemingly a small act of human kindness, is deeply significant within the broader theological narrative of 1 Samuel. It underscores that even in moments of profound divine judgment and human sin, God's providential care can manifest through unexpected channels. The medium's compassion, though she operates outside of God's covenant, serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent human capacity for empathy and the universal call to care for the distressed, regardless of their spiritual standing or past actions. It highlights that basic human needs, like food and rest, are fundamental, and attending to them can be a crucial step in navigating overwhelming spiritual or emotional burdens. This act of mercy, extended to a king who has been explicitly rejected by God, subtly points to the broader concept of common grace, where God's goodness and provision are extended to all humanity, even the unrighteous, sustaining them in their earthly existence.

* [Proverbs 25:21](/proverbs/25-21 "Proverbs 25:21 - Feeding Your Enemy")
* [Romans 12:20](/romans/12-20 "Romans 12:20 - Overcoming Evil with Good")
* [Matthew 25:35](/matthew/25-35 "Matthew 25:35 - Feeding the Hungry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene at Endor is undeniably dark and tragic, centered on a king who has lost God's favor and is facing imminent death. Yet, within this somber narrative, 1 Samuel 28:22 shines a quiet light on the enduring power of human compassion. It challenges us to consider our own responses to those in deep distress, even when their suffering might be self-inflicted or their moral standing questionable. The medium's act serves as a powerful reminder that basic human needs—food, shelter, a moment of rest—are paramount when someone is overwhelmed by fear, grief, or despair. It prompts us to look beyond immediate judgments and extend practical, empathetic aid, recognizing the shared humanity that binds us. This verse encourages us to cultivate a heart of mercy, to be attentive to the physical and emotional exhaustion of others, and to be willing to offer simple, tangible help, even when the circumstances are complex or uncomfortable. It reminds us that compassion can emerge from the most unexpected places and that our call to love our neighbor extends even to those we might deem "unworthy" or "other."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the medium's unexpected compassion challenge my own preconceptions about who is worthy of help or kindness?**
* **In what ways might I be overlooking the basic physical or emotional needs of those around me who are facing overwhelming burdens?**
* **When faced with someone in deep despair, am I more inclined to offer judgment or practical, tangible assistance?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that extends grace and care even to those with whom I disagree or who have acted contrary to my values?**

### FAQ
**Why did the medium, who was persecuted by Saul, show him such kindness?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state the medium's motivations, but her actions suggest profound human empathy and compassion. Upon seeing Saul's utter collapse and terror after Samuel's prophecy, she was moved with pity. Despite Saul's past actions against her kind (as noted in [1 Samuel 28:9](/1_samuel/28-9 "1 Samuel 28:9 - Saul's Purge of Mediums")), her immediate response was to alleviate his suffering by offering food and comfort. This highlights a universal human capacity for empathy that can transcend personal grievances or social boundaries, demonstrating a remarkable act of grace in a dark context.

**What is the significance of "bread" in this context?**

Answer: "Bread" (Hebrew: _lekhem_) is a fundamental staple food in the ancient world, symbolizing basic sustenance and life itself. In this context, the "morsel of bread" offered by the medium is not just any food, but the most essential and readily available means to restore physical strength to Saul, who had gone without food for a day and a night ([1 Samuel 28:20](/1_samuel/28-20 "1 Samuel 28:20 - Saul's Physical State")). Its significance lies in its immediate and practical ability to sustain life and provide the necessary energy for Saul to continue his journey, even towards his inevitable doom. It underscores the vital importance of attending to basic physical needs, especially in moments of extreme distress.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Samuel 28:22 depicts an act of human compassion in a context of spiritual darkness and divine judgment, it subtly foreshadows the ultimate compassion and provision found in Christ. Just as the medium offered a "morsel of bread" to a physically and spiritually depleted Saul, Jesus Christ is the true "Bread of Life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) who offers spiritual sustenance to a humanity utterly depleted by sin and despair. Saul's desperate search for guidance and strength in forbidden places reflects humanity's fallen state, seeking fulfillment apart from God. Yet, Christ, unlike the medium, is not merely a dispenser of temporary physical strength but the very source of eternal life and spiritual renewal. He comes not to condemn but to save, extending grace even to those who have rejected God, much like Saul. Jesus' ministry was characterized by profound empathy for the lost, the sick, and the outcast, offering both physical healing and spiritual restoration, as seen in His feeding of the multitudes ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14 "Matthew 14 - Feeding the Five Thousand")) and His compassionate interactions with sinners ([Luke 7:36-50](/luke/7 "Luke 7 - Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman")). Ultimately, the strength the medium offered was for Saul's final, tragic journey; the strength Christ offers is for a new, eternal journey, enabling us to "go on our way" in faith and hope, sustained by His divine provision and unending mercy ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - Strength in 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.