1 Samuel 28:19

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.

Moreover the LORD {H3068} will also deliver {H5414} Israel {H3478} with thee into the hand {H3027} of the Philistines {H6430}: and to morrow {H4279} shalt thou and thy sons {H1121} be with me: the LORD {H3068} also shall deliver {H5414} the host {H4264} of Israel {H3478} into the hand {H3027} of the Philistines {H6430}.

ADONAI is giving Isra'el as well as yourself over into the power of the P'lishtim, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. ADONAI will hand over Isra'el's army to the power of the P'lishtim."

Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”

Moreover Jehovah will deliver Israel also with thee into the hand of the Philistines; and to-morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: Jehovah will deliver the host of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.

Commentary

1 Samuel 28:19 delivers a chilling prophecy to King Saul, spoken by the spirit of Samuel (or an entity appearing as him) through the medium of Endor. This verse seals Saul's tragic fate and foretells a devastating defeat for Israel at the hands of the Philistines.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is the climax of one of the most dramatic and unsettling episodes in the Old Testament. King Saul, having been rejected by God due to his persistent disobedience (1 Samuel 15:23), and facing an overwhelming Philistine army, is desperate for divine guidance. Since God would not answer him through dreams, Urim, or prophets, Saul resorted to forbidden means: consulting a medium, specifically the medium of Endor. This act was a direct violation of God's law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The "Samuel" who appears delivers this grim news, confirming the impending doom and the end of Saul's reign, leading directly to the tragic Battle of Gilboa.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse unequivocally states that the LORD Himself will deliver Israel and Saul into the hand of the Philistines. This is not merely a military defeat but a divine judgment upon Saul's long history of rebellion and disobedience. It underscores the serious consequences of turning away from God.
  • The Certainty of Prophecy: Despite the questionable means of delivery, the prophecy itself proved entirely accurate. Saul and his sons indeed died the very next day in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:2-6), and Israel suffered a significant defeat.
  • Death and the Afterlife: The phrase "to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me" is a stark declaration of impending death, implying that Saul and his sons would join Samuel in the realm of the dead (often referred to as Sheol in the Old Testament context).
  • The End of an Era: This prophecy marks the end of Saul's kingship and the transition to David's reign, a pivotal moment in Israel's history.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me" (Hebrew: `'immi`) carries profound weight. While literally meaning "with me," in this context, it is a clear euphemism for death and a shared fate in the afterlife or the grave. It emphasizes the immediacy and certainty of their demise, linking their destiny directly to Samuel's current state beyond the grave.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 28:19 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Seriousness of Disobedience: Saul's life story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of persistent disobedience to God's commands and the severe consequences that can follow.
  • Seeking God's Will Rightly: It highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance through legitimate and righteous means, rather than resorting to forbidden practices out of desperation. God's ways are always true, even when they bring difficult news.
  • God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, this verse affirms God's sovereignty over the outcomes of battles and the lives of kings and nations. Even in moments of apparent chaos, God's plan unfolds, as Proverbs 21:31 reminds us that "the horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD."
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Cross-References

  • Matthew 26:24 (2 votes)

    The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

  • Acts 5:9 (2 votes)

    Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and shall carry thee out.

  • Acts 5:10 (2 votes)

    Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying [her] forth, buried [her] by her husband.

  • Acts 5:5 (2 votes)

    And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

  • Jeremiah 28:16 (2 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 28:17 (2 votes)

    So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

  • 1 Samuel 12:25 (2 votes)

    But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.