1 Samuel 28:13

And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

And the king {H4428} said {H559} unto her, Be not afraid {H3372}: for what sawest {H7200} thou? And the woman {H802} said {H559} unto Saul {H7586}, I saw {H7200} gods {H430} ascending {H5927} out of the earth {H776}.

The king replied, "Don't be afraid. Just tell me what you see."The woman said to Sha'ul, "I see a god-like being coming up out of the earth."

“Do not be afraid,” the king replied. “What do you see?” “I see a god coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered.

And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what seest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth.

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Samuel 28:13 (KJV)

In 1 Samuel 28:13, King Saul is speaking with the medium (often called the Witch of Endor) whom he has secretly sought out. He asks her to describe what she saw after he compelled her to conjure Samuel. Her response, "I saw gods ascending out of the earth," is pivotal, revealing the startling nature of the apparition.

Context

This verse is situated in a desperate moment for King Saul. Facing a formidable Philistine army and having been abandoned by God due to his persistent disobedience, Saul is in a state of spiritual crisis. God had ceased to answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets (1 Samuel 28:6). In a stark act of hypocrisy, Saul, who himself had previously purged the land of mediums and wizards (1 Samuel 28:3), now turns to one in his desperation. The woman’s exclamation in this verse underscores the supernatural, and terrifying, reality of what manifested, surprising even her.

Key Themes

  • Desperation and Disobedience: Saul’s actions here represent the culmination of his rebellion against God’s clear commands. His turning to forbidden practices highlights the destructive path of seeking answers outside of God’s will when divine guidance seems absent.
  • Forbidden Practices: The narrative serves as a stark warning against occult practices, spiritualism, and necromancy, which are explicitly forbidden in Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Even if the appearance was genuinely Samuel, the means of summoning him were illicit.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Despite Saul's sinful method, God remains sovereign. The subsequent prophecy from Samuel in this chapter (1 Samuel 28:19) confirms Saul's impending doom, demonstrating that God's word, even through an unconventional and forbidden channel, will stand.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I saw gods ascending out of the earth" uses the Hebrew word 'elohim (אֱלֹהִים). While commonly translated as "God," 'elohim is a plural noun that can refer to "gods," "divine beings," or even "powerful ones." In this context, the medium's use of the plural likely signifies that she saw a powerful, supernatural entity, possibly awe-inspiring or terrifying in its appearance, that she perceived as divine or otherworldly. Her shock indicates that this was not merely a trick, but a genuine, albeit supernaturally dark, manifestation.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a timeless caution against seeking spiritual guidance from sources outside of God's revealed Word and established means. When faced with difficulties or divine silence, the believer is called to repentance, prayer, and diligent study of Scripture, rather than resorting to practices that are anathema to God. Saul's tragic end, directly tied to his disobedience and pursuit of forbidden knowledge, underscores the severe consequences of rejecting God's authority and seeking desperate measures against His will.

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

Cross-References

  • Exodus 4:16 (2 votes)

    And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, [even] he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

  • Psalms 82:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ I have said, Ye [are] gods; and all of you [are] children of the most High.

  • Psalms 82:7 (2 votes)

    But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

  • John 10:34 (2 votes)

    Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

  • John 10:35 (2 votes)

    If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

  • Exodus 22:28 (2 votes)

    Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.