1 Samuel 28:9

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 the woman {H802} said {H559} unto him, Behold, thou knowest {H3045} what Saul {H7586} hath done {H6213}, how he hath cut off {H3772} those that have familiar spirits {H178}, and the wizards {H3049}, out of the land {H776}: wherefore then layest thou a snare {H5367} for my life {H5315}, to cause me to die {H4191}?

The woman answered, "Here, you know what Sha'ul did, how he expelled from the land those who tell the future by communicating with the dead or with a demonic spirit. Why are you trying to entrap me into causing my own death?"

But the woman replied, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has killed the mediums and spiritists in the land. Why have you set a trap to get me killed?”

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?

Commentary

In 1 Samuel 28:9, the woman of Endor, a medium, expresses her profound fear and suspicion to King Saul, who has disguised himself. She references Saul's own decree that outlawed and executed those who practiced divination, highlighting the extreme danger she would face if she were to comply with his request to conjure a spirit.

Context

This verse is crucial in the narrative of King Saul's tragic decline. Having been abandoned by God due to his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:23), and facing an overwhelming Philistine army, Saul is desperate for divine guidance that is no longer forthcoming through prophets, dreams, or the Urim. In a profound act of hypocrisy and desperation, he seeks out a medium, a practice he himself had previously purged from the land (1 Samuel 28:3). The woman's words here underscore the severity of Saul's earlier policy and her own vulnerability, as she fears a trap that could lead to her death for breaking the king's own law.

Key Themes

  • Hypocrisy and Desperation: Saul's visit to the medium exposes his deep spiritual depravity and the extent of his desperation. He is willing to violate his own publicly enforced laws and God's clear commands in his frantic search for answers.
  • Divine Prohibition: The Old Testament law strictly forbade all forms of divination, necromancy, and consulting with familiar spirits, viewing them as detestable practices in the eyes of the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Leviticus 20:27). This verse highlights the tension between God's will and humanity's fallen tendency to seek forbidden knowledge.
  • Fear and Self-Preservation: The woman's response reveals her understanding of the deadly consequences associated with her forbidden craft, especially under Saul's regime. Her cautious words demonstrate a natural human instinct for self-preservation in the face of grave danger.

Linguistic Insights

The verse mentions "familiar spirits" (Hebrew: ’ôḇ) and "wizards" (Hebrew: yiḏ‘ōnî). The term ’ôḇ refers to a person who claims to be able to conjure the dead or communicate with spirits, often associated with ventriloquism or a 'muttering' sound from the ground. Yiḏ‘ōnî describes a person who claims special knowledge gained through occult means. Both terms signify practices explicitly forbidden by God's Law, emphasizing the severity of Saul's sin in seeking them out.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a potent warning against seeking guidance outside of God's revealed will. Saul's actions demonstrate the dangerous spiral of disobedience and the spiritual consequences of turning away from the Lord. When we face difficult situations, it is tempting to seek quick answers from unconventional or forbidden sources. However, true wisdom and peace come from trusting in God alone and seeking His will through His Word and prayer (Proverbs 3:5-6). This narrative reminds us that hypocrisy and disobedience, even when born of desperation, lead to further entanglement in sin and ultimately, away from God's blessing.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 28:3 (3 votes)

    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.

  • 2 Samuel 18:13 (2 votes)

    Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against [me].

  • 2 Kings 5:7 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, [Am] I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.