1 Samuel 28:9

KJV

And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the woman {H802} said {H559} unto him, Behold, thou knowest {H3045} what Saul {H7586} hath done {H6213}, how he hath cut off {H3772} those that have familiar spirits {H178}, and the wizards {H3049}, out of the land {H776}: wherefore then layest thou a snare {H5367} for my life {H5315}, to cause me to die {H4191}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The woman answered, "Here, you know what Sha'ul did, how he expelled from the land those who tell the future by communicating with the dead or with a demonic spirit. Why are you trying to entrap me into causing my own death?"

Berean Standard Bible

But the woman replied, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has killed the mediums and spiritists in the land. Why have you set a trap to get me killed?”

American Standard Version

And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Samuel 28:9, the woman of Endor, a medium, confronts King Saul, who is disguised, with a sharp, fearful question. She reminds him of his own decree to eradicate all practitioners of divination and sorcery from Israel, expressing her profound suspicion that his request to conjure a spirit is a deadly trap designed to expose and execute her. Her words underscore the king's desperate hypocrisy and the immense danger inherent in her forbidden practice, highlighting the tragic depths of Saul's spiritual decline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the dramatic account of King Saul's final days, immediately preceding his encounter with the spirit of Samuel. The narrative of [1 Samuel 28](/1_samuel/28 "1 Samuel 28 - Saul and the Medium of Endor") opens with the Philistines gathering for war against Israel. Saul, abandoned by God due to his persistent disobedience and rebellion ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Rebellion and Rejection")), seeks divine guidance through traditional means—dreams, Urim, and prophets—but receives no answer ([1 Samuel 28:6](/1_samuel/28-6 "1 Samuel 28:6 - God Does Not Answer Saul")). In a desperate and profoundly hypocritical act, Saul, who had previously purged the land of mediums and wizards ([1 Samuel 28:3](/1_samuel/28-3 "1 Samuel 28:3 - Samuel's Death and Saul's Earlier Actions")), now commands his servants to find one for him. The woman's fearful response in verse 9 directly sets the stage for the shocking appearance of Samuel and the dire prophecy of Saul's impending death.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel's neighbors, frequently engaged in various forms of divination, necromancy, and magic to gain insight into the future or communicate with the spiritual realm. These practices were deeply embedded in pagan religious systems. However, the Mosaic Law explicitly and repeatedly condemned such activities as detestable to Yahweh, viewing them as an affront to His sovereignty and a direct violation of the covenant ([Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9-12 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominable Practices")). Israel was commanded to be distinct from the nations around them, relying solely on God for guidance. Saul's earlier purge of mediums and wizards, mentioned by the woman, aligns with this divine mandate and demonstrates an initial, albeit ultimately inconsistent, adherence to God's law. His later desperate act reveals the profound spiritual decay that had gripped him, leading him to violate the very laws he had enforced.
* **Key Themes:** The exchange in [1 Samuel 28:9](/1_samuel/28-9 "1 Samuel 28:9 - The Medium's Fearful Question") powerfully highlights several major themes within the book of Samuel and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Abandonment and Consequences of Disobedience**. Saul's inability to receive guidance from God directly stems from his persistent rebellion, particularly his rejection of God's word ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Rejection by God")). This leads to **Desperation and Hypocrisy**, as Saul, once a champion against idolatry, now resorts to forbidden practices, demonstrating the extent of his spiritual decline. The verse also underscores the **Strictness of God's Prohibition against Occult Practices**, emphasizing that seeking guidance outside of God's revealed will is an abomination. Finally, the woman's fear highlights the **Vulnerability of those who Practice Forbidden Arts** under a regime that, at least publicly, enforces God's law, even if the enforcer is himself compromised.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Familiar spirits (Hebrew, _’ôwb'_):** This term (H178, `’ôwb`) properly refers to a 'mumble' or 'hollow sound,' leading to its association with a necromancer or ventriloquist, as one might speak from a jar. It denotes a person who consults the dead, believed to evoke a spirit to provide information. The Mosaic Law strictly forbade consulting an `’ôwb` ([Leviticus 19:31](/leviticus/19-31 "Leviticus 19:31 - Do Not Turn to Mediums")).
* **Wizards (Hebrew, _yiddᵉʻônîy'_):** Derived from the root 'to know,' this term (H3049, `yiddᵉʻônîy`) properly designates a 'knowing one' or a conjurer. It refers to a wizard or one who claims special knowledge or insight obtained through occult practices, such as divination or sorcery. Like `’ôwb`, the `yiddᵉʻônî` was explicitly condemned by God's law ([Deuteronomy 18:10-11](/deuteronomy/18-10-11 "Deuteronomy 18:10-11 - Abominations to the Lord")).
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** This primitive root (H3772, `kârath'`) means 'to cut (off, down or asunder),' and by implication, 'to destroy or consume.' In this context, it refers to Saul's decisive act of eradicating or removing those who practiced forbidden arts from the land, demonstrating a forceful and complete purge as if by cutting them off from the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done,"**: The medium immediately recognizes the gravity of the situation, even without knowing Saul's identity. Her opening words are a direct, almost accusatory, challenge, indicating her awareness of the king's public policy and the severe risks involved in her profession. The phrase "thou knowest" implies a shared understanding of the king's decree and its lethal implications.
* **"how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land:"**: This clause explicitly states the reason for her fear. Saul, in an earlier period of his reign, had taken decisive action to purge Israel of all practitioners of necromancy and divination, in accordance with God's law. This act, while righteous in itself, now becomes the very source of the medium's terror, as she fears being caught in a trap set by the king himself. The thoroughness of Saul's purge ("cut off... out of the land") highlights the extreme danger she perceives.
* **"wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?"**: This is the culmination of her suspicion and fear. She directly accuses the disguised Saul of attempting to entrap her, believing his request to be a ruse to identify and execute her for violating the very law he had enforced. Her question reveals a profound instinct for self-preservation and a deep distrust, born of the deadly consequences associated with her forbidden craft under Saul's regime.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is rich in **Irony**, as King Saul, the very one who "cut off" mediums and wizards, now desperately seeks one out. This dramatic irony underscores his profound spiritual decline and hypocrisy. There is also significant **Dramatic Tension**, built by the woman's fearful accusation and Saul's desperate need, leading to the climactic appearance of Samuel. The woman's words also serve as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as Saul's illicit act of seeking forbidden counsel ultimately contributes to his downfall, which Samuel's spirit will soon confirm. The dialogue is a concise **Anaphora** of "thou knowest what Saul hath done," emphasizing the king's well-known policy and the woman's immediate apprehension.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The encounter between Saul and the medium of Endor powerfully illustrates the destructive consequences of persistent disobedience and the futility of seeking guidance outside of God's revealed will. Saul's desperation leads him to violate the very laws he once upheld, demonstrating a complete spiritual bankruptcy. This narrative serves as a stark warning against spiritual syncretism and the allure of forbidden knowledge. God's prohibition against divination and necromancy is not arbitrary; it is rooted in His desire for His people to rely solely on Him, the true source of all wisdom and power, and to avoid the deceptive and destructive influence of demonic forces. Saul's actions reveal the dangerous spiral of a heart hardened against God, where even good deeds (like purging mediums) can be overshadowed by a deeper rebellion.

* [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10-12 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominations to the Lord")
* [Leviticus 20:6](/leviticus/20-6 "Leviticus 20:6 - God's Judgment on those who Turn to Mediums")
* [Isaiah 8:19-20](/isaiah/8-19-20 "Isaiah 8:19-20 - Consult God's Law and Testimony")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Saul and the medium of Endor is a profound cautionary tale for all believers. It reveals the perilous path of a heart that has turned away from the Lord, demonstrating how desperation can drive individuals to violate their own principles and God's clear commands. When faced with overwhelming challenges or a perceived silence from God, the temptation to seek "quick fixes" or unconventional, unbiblical solutions can be strong. This passage reminds us that true peace, wisdom, and guidance are found only in unwavering trust and obedience to God, seeking His will through His Word, prayer, and the counsel of godly believers. Saul's tragic end underscores that even when God seems silent, the answer is never to turn to forbidden practices, but to humble ourselves, repent, and wait on the Lord, knowing that His ways are always perfect, even when they are mysterious.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to seek guidance or control outside of God's revealed will?**
* **How does Saul's desperation challenge my understanding of reliance on God during difficult times?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the dangers of spiritual hypocrisy and selective obedience?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper reliance on God's Word and prayer when I feel abandoned or unheard by Him?**

### FAQ

**Why did Saul, who had previously purged mediums, seek one out?**

Answer: Saul's actions in [1 Samuel 28](/1_samuel/28 "1 Samuel 28 - Saul and the Medium of Endor") are a tragic demonstration of his spiritual decline and desperation. Having been rejected by God for his disobedience ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Rebellion")), and facing a formidable Philistine army, Saul sought guidance from God through traditional, legitimate means—dreams, Urim, and prophets—but received no answer ([1 Samuel 28:6](/1_samuel/28-6 "1 Samuel 28:6 - God Does Not Answer Saul")). In his profound distress and spiritual isolation, he resorted to the very practices he had previously outlawed and punished, revealing the depth of his hypocrisy and the extent to which he had abandoned God's ways. His desperation overrode his former, albeit inconsistent, obedience to the Mosaic Law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate and forbidden act of Saul in seeking a medium stands in stark contrast to the perfect and complete revelation of God found in Jesus Christ. Saul's attempt to conjure the dead highlights humanity's inherent longing for connection with the spiritual realm and knowledge of the future, a longing that, when pursued outside of God's will, leads to deception and destruction. In Christ, this longing is fully and righteously satisfied. Jesus is the ultimate Prophet, through whom God speaks directly and clearly to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). He is the one who perfectly fulfills the Law, including its prohibitions against occult practices, by providing direct access to God the Father through His atoning sacrifice ([Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ")). Unlike Saul, who was cut off from divine counsel due to his sin, believers in Christ have the Holy Spirit as their Counselor and Guide ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Counselor")), who leads them into all truth and reveals God's will through His living Word ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")). Saul's tragic reliance on a "familiar spirit" underscores the need for the true Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, offering not a fleeting, illicit glimpse into the future, but eternal life and a secure, open relationship with the living God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 28:3

Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

2 Samuel 18:13

Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against [me].

2 Kings 5:7

And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, [Am] I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.