1 Samuel 28

King James Version

Full text for 1 Samuel Chapter 28

1¶ And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

2And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

3Now 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.

4And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

5And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

6And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

7¶ Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, [there is] a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

8And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me [him] up, whom I shall name unto thee.

9And 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?

10And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, [As] the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

11Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

12And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou [art] Saul.

13And 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.

14And he said unto her, What form [is] he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he [is] covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it [was] Samuel, and he stooped with [his] face to the ground, and bowed himself.

15¶ And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

16Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

17And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, [even] to David:

18Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

19Moreover 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.

20¶ Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

21And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.

22Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.

23But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.

24And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded [it], and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

25And she brought [it] before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

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.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with the Philistines gathering their armies against Israel, and King Achish expects David and his men to fight alongside them. Meanwhile, Samuel has died, and Saul had previously banished those with familiar spirits from the land. Facing the Philistine host at Shunem, Saul is greatly afraid, and when he seeks the LORD, he receives no answer. Consequently, Saul disguises himself and travels by night to Endor to consult a woman with a familiar spirit, requesting her to bring up Samuel. The woman, initially fearful for her life due to Saul's decree, complies after he swears an oath. Samuel appears, rebukes Saul for disturbing him, and reiterates that the LORD has departed from Saul and given the kingdom to David because of Saul's disobedience. Samuel further prophesies that Israel, along with Saul and his sons, will be delivered into the hands of the Philistines the following day, leading to Saul's complete collapse.

Long Summary

The narrative begins with the Philistines assembling their forces for war against Israel, and King Achish of Gath instructs David to prepare his men to join the Philistine ranks. At this time, Samuel, the prophet, had already died and been mourned by all Israel, and King Saul had previously purged the land of those who practiced familiar spirits and wizardry. The Philistines encamp at Shunem, while Saul gathers Israel's forces at Gilboa. Upon seeing the vast Philistine army, Saul is overwhelmed with fear, his heart trembling greatly. When Saul attempts to inquire of the LORD, he receives no response, neither through dreams, nor the Urim, nor through prophets. In his profound distress, Saul commands his servants to find a woman with a familiar spirit, leading them to one in Endor. Disguising himself, Saul approaches the woman by night and requests her to divine by her familiar spirit and bring up a specific person. The woman expresses fear, knowing Saul's decree against such practices, but Saul swears by the LORD that she will suffer no punishment. Saul then asks her to bring up Samuel. When Samuel appears, the woman cries out, recognizing Saul, but he reassures her. Samuel questions Saul as to why he has been disquieted, and Saul confesses his great distress, stating that God has departed from him and no longer answers. Samuel then sternly reminds Saul that the LORD has torn the kingdom from him and given it to David due to his disobedience, specifically concerning Amalek. Samuel further declares that the LORD will deliver Israel, along with Saul and his sons, into the Philistines' hands, and that Saul and his sons will die the next day. Overwhelmed by Samuel's words, Saul immediately falls to the ground, utterly without strength, having eaten nothing all day. The woman, seeing his distress, urges him to eat, and with the persuasion of his servants, Saul reluctantly agrees. She then prepares and serves him a fat calf and unleavened bread, after which Saul and his servants arise and depart that same night.

Core Concepts

  • Saul's DesperationKing Saul, facing a formidable Philistine army and receiving no divine guidance, resorts to forbidden means by seeking a woman with a familiar spirit. This act highlights his profound fear and spiritual abandonment.
  • Divine SilenceThe LORD's refusal to answer Saul through conventional means (dreams, Urim, prophets) underscores God's departure from the king. This silence drives Saul to seek counsel from a source he had previously outlawed.
  • Necromancy and Familiar SpiritsThe chapter details Saul's hypocritical act of consulting a woman with a familiar spirit, a practice he had previously purged from the land. This highlights the severe spiritual transgression of seeking communication with the dead outside of God's ordained ways.
  • Samuel's ApparitionThe appearance of the deceased prophet Samuel, brought forth by the woman of Endor, serves as a direct, albeit unauthorized, channel for divine judgment. His presence confirms the LORD's irreversible decision regarding Saul's kingship.
  • Prophecy of DoomSamuel delivers a clear and devastating prophecy to Saul, reiterating the loss of his kingdom to David and foretelling his and his sons' deaths in the upcoming battle. This message seals Saul's fate and the immediate future of Israel.
  • Consequences of DisobedienceSamuel explicitly states that Saul's downfall is a direct result of his disobedience to the LORD's command, specifically concerning the Amalekites. This reinforces the biblical principle that rebellion against God's word leads to severe judgment.
  • Saul's Collapse and CompassionUpon hearing Samuel's prophecy, Saul collapses in despair, physically and emotionally drained. The woman and Saul's servants show compassion by compelling him to eat, demonstrating a moment of human kindness amidst the unfolding tragedy.