1 Samuel 28:10

And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, [As] the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

And Saul {H7586} sware {H7650} to her by the LORD {H3068}, saying {H559}, As the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, there shall {H518} no punishment {H5771} happen {H7136} to thee for this thing {H1697}.

But Sha'ul swore to her by ADONAI, "As ADONAI lives, you will not be punished for doing this."

Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: โ€œAs surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.โ€

And Saul sware to her by Jehovah, saying, As Jehovah liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

Commentary

1 Samuel 28:10 captures a pivotal moment in King Saul's tragic decline, revealing his desperate state and profound hypocrisy. Having previously purged the land of mediums and spiritists in obedience to God's law, Saul now, in a moment of extreme desperation, seeks out the medium of Endor because the LORD has ceased to answer him (1 Samuel 28:6).

In this verse, Saul, disguised, swears a solemn oath by the very God he is actively disobeying, promising the medium immunity from the legal consequences of her forbidden practice. This oath, "As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing," highlights the depths of his spiritual compromise.

Context

Facing a formidable Philistine army and having been abandoned by divine counsel, King Saul's desperation leads him to violate a fundamental command of God's law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The Mosaic Law strictly forbade divination and communication with the dead, prescribing death as the penalty for such acts. Saul's oath here is a desperate attempt to reassure the medium, who was rightly fearful given the king's prior edicts against her profession, and to secure her cooperation in his forbidden quest to consult the prophet Samuel.

Key Themes

  • Desperation and Hypocrisy: Saul's actions reveal a king consumed by fear and desperation, willing to contradict his own decrees and invoke God's name in the pursuit of forbidden knowledge. This highlights the stark hypocrisy of his spiritual state.
  • Disobedience and Rebellion: The verse is a clear manifestation of Saul's continued rebellion against God's direct commands. His prior rejection by God stemmed from disobedience, and this act further solidifies his spiritual decline.
  • The Sanctity of Oaths: While Saul's oath is made in a context of deep sin, it underscores the seriousness with which oaths, especially those invoking the LORD's name, were taken in ancient Israel. Even in his fallen state, Saul understands the weight of such a vow.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sware to her by the LORD" translates the Hebrew nishba' Yahweh (ื ึดืฉึฐืื‘ึทึผืข ื‘ึทึผื™ื”ื•ึธื”), meaning "he swore by Yahweh." This is a highly significant and solemn oath, invoking the personal name of God as a guarantor of truth. The irony is palpable: the king who has been rejected by Yahweh for disobedience now uses Yahweh's name to sanction an act of gross disobedience.

The word "punishment" comes from the Hebrew avon (ืขึธื•ึนืŸ), which often refers not just to a penalty, but also to iniquity, guilt, or the consequence of sin itself. Saul is promising that the medium will not suffer the legal or societal repercussions (which were severe, including death) for her involvement in what was considered an abomination.

Practical Application

The account of Saul and the medium of Endor, particularly this verse, offers several powerful lessons for believers today:

  • Beware of Desperation: When we face overwhelming challenges or feel God's silence, it is crucial to resist the temptation to seek answers or comfort through forbidden means. Our desperation should drive us closer to God, not away from His commands.
  • The Consequences of Disobedience: Saul's journey illustrates the destructive path of persistent disobedience. Small compromises can lead to greater rebellion, ultimately alienating us from God's presence and guidance.
  • Trust in God's Revealed Will: Instead of resorting to divination or other ungodly practices, believers are called to seek God's will through His revealed Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17), prayer, and godly counsel.
  • Integrity in Promises: While Saul's oath was misused, it reminds us of the importance of integrity in our own words and promises, especially when we invoke God's name or make commitments before Him.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 14:39 (2 votes)

    For, [as] the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But [there was] not a man among all the people [that] answered him.

  • Deuteronomy 18:10 (2 votes)

    There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

  • Deuteronomy 18:12 (2 votes)

    For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

  • Exodus 20:7 (2 votes)

    Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

  • 1 Samuel 19:6 (2 votes)

    And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, [As] the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

  • Matthew 26:72 (2 votes)

    And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

  • 2 Samuel 14:11 (2 votes)

    Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.