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.
In those days, the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, “Know assuredly that you shall go out with me in the army, you and your men.”
Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had put away those who had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her.” His servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at Endor.”
Saul disguised himself, and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, “Please divine to me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomever I shall name to you.”
The woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?”
He said to her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man comes up. He is covered with a robe.” Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and showed respect.
Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?” Saul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.”
Because you didn’t obey the voice of the LORD, and didn’t execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.
Moreover the LORD will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will deliver the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”
Then Saul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was terrified, because of the words of Samuel. There was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
The woman came to Saul, and saw that he was very troubled, and said to him, “Behold, your handmaid has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
Now therefore, please listen also to the voice of your handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength, when you go on your way.”
But he refused, and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed.
She brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they ate. 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
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