As the Philistines prepare for war against Israel, King Saul is filled with great fear, for the LORD does not answer him through dreams, Urim, or prophets. In desperation, Saul disguises himself and seeks a woman with a familiar spirit at Endor to inquire of Samuel. The woman brings forth Samuel, who delivers a dire prophecy, confirming that the kingdom has been torn from Saul and that he and his sons will die in battle the next day.
¶ And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.
And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.
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.
¶ Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.
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?
And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
¶ 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.
Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.
Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
¶ Then 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.
And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.
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.
But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.
And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.
Study Notes for 1 Samuel 28
Verse 1
This verse sets the stage for the final conflict and highlights David’s morally complicated position; he is now obligated to Achish, his protector, to fight against his own people, Israel.
Verse 2
David’s response is deliberately ambiguous. He avoids explicitly promising to fight Israel while simultaneously assuring Achish that he will demonstrate his loyalty and usefulness, a calculated political maneuver.
Verse 3
This verse is crucial context. Samuel, the legitimate prophetic voice, is dead. Saul’s earlier righteous act of purging mediums (Deut. 18:10-12) creates the dramatic irony for his subsequent transgression.
Verse 5
Saul's intense fear and trembling demonstrate his complete lack of faith and spiritual isolation. Unlike earlier battles where God gave him confidence, this terror confirms his separation from divine support.
Verse 6
Saul attempts to use the three legitimate methods of divine inquiry: dreams, Urim (via the high priest’s breastplate), and prophets. God’s silence confirms the finality of Saul’s rejection.
Verse 7
Having been rejected by God through legitimate means, Saul resorts to the practice of necromancy, a capital offense under the Mosaic Law. This act marks the final stage of his spiritual apostasy.
Verse 8
Saul disguises himself to evade his own decree against mediums. His request to 'bring him up' refers to the forbidden practice of consulting the dead (necromancy) through the familiar spirit.
Verse 11
Saul calls for Samuel, illustrating his desperate need for the guidance of the prophet he had previously dishonored and ignored. Samuel represents the last vestige of legitimate authority for Saul.
Verse 12
The woman’s loud cry suggests that the appearance of Samuel was genuine and unexpected, exceeding the limits of her usual magical manipulations or deception; she was genuinely terrified by the powerful manifestation.
Verse 13
The term 'gods' (*elohim*) here refers to a majestic or powerful divine being/spirit. This description emphasizes the supernatural, awe-inspiring nature of the figure ascending from the earth.
Verse 14
Samuel is identified by his 'mantle' (*me’il*), the traditional robe signifying his prophetic office. Saul’s act of bowing acknowledges Samuel’s enduring authority, even in death.
Verse 15
Samuel’s question, 'Why hast thou disquieted me?' implies that the dead are in a state of rest and should not be disturbed. Saul confesses his distress and God’s total abandonment of him.
Verse 18
Samuel reiterates that Saul’s rejection stems from his failure to obey the Lord concerning the Amalekites (cf. 1 Sam 15). This specific act of disobedience serves as the ultimate justification for the removal of the kingdom.
Verse 19
This is a devastating, immediate prophecy, predicting not only Israel’s defeat but the death of Saul and his sons ('shalt thou and thy sons be with me') on the very next day.
Verse 20
Saul’s physical collapse reflects the psychological and spiritual finality of the judgment. The prophecy of immediate death leaves him stripped of all strength and hope.
Verse 23
Saul’s refusal to eat and subsequent compulsion by his servants and the woman demonstrates his utter despair and loss of will. He is now passive, waiting for his inevitable fate.
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The Calling of Disciples
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
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