1 Samuel 28
1 Samuel 28 addresses a situation in which King Saul is thrown into a serious crisis as he faces an impending war with the Philistines. In this chapter, we see the standoff between Israel and the Philistines; Saul’s loneliness after Samuel’s death; and the way God no longer responds to Saul. When Saul cannot get an answer from God, he makes an extreme choice to seek out a medium in defiance of the law and call for Samuel’s spirit to be summoned. As a result, Saul hears prophetic words about his bleak future and Israel’s defeat.
1verseIn those days, the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, “Know assuredly that you will go out with me in the army, you and your men.”
2verseDavid said to Achish, “Therefore you will know what your servant can do.” Achish said to David, “Therefore I will make you my bodyguard forever.”
3verseNow Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had sent away those who had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land.
4verseThe Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.
5verseWhen Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
6verseWhen Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD didn’t answer him by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets.
7verseThen Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” His servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at Endor.”
8verseSaul disguised himself and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. Then he said, “Please consult for me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomever I shall name to you.”
9verseThe woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?”
10verseSaul swore to her by the LORD, saying, “As the LORD lives, no punishment will happen to you for this thing.”
11verseThen the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up to you?” He said, “Bring Samuel up for me.”
12verseWhen the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!”
13verseThe king said to her, “Don’t be afraid! What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.”
14verseHe said to her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man comes up. He is covered with a robe.” Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and showed respect.
15verseSamuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?” Saul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, by prophets, or by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.”
16verseSamuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has departed from you and has become your adversary?
17verseThe LORD has done to you as he spoke by me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, even to David.
18verseBecause you didn’t obey the LORD’s voice, and didn’t execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you today.
19verseMoreover the LORD will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will deliver the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”
20verseThen Saul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was terrified, because of Samuel’s words. There was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all day long or all night long.
21verseThe woman came to Saul and saw that he was very troubled, and said to him, “Behold, your servant has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
22verseNow therefore, please listen also to the voice of your servant, and let me set a morsel of bread before you. Eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.”
23verseBut he refused, and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed.
24verseThe woman had a fattened calf in the house. She hurried and killed it; and she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread of it.
25verseShe brought it before Saul and before his servants, and they ate. Then they rose up and went away that night.
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1–2: preparations for the war between the Philistines and Israel; David’s situation of being with the Philistine camp
- Verses 3–7: Samuel’s death and Saul going to God, but failing to receive an answer
- Verses 8–14: Saul disguises himself and goes to find a medium at En-dor
- Verses 15–19: Samuel, called up by the medium, tells Saul that God has rejected him and that Israel will be defeated
- Verses 20–25: Saul, in extreme fear and despair, is served food by the woman
Overall Meaning and Lessons
The heart of this chapter is that, in a situation where Saul’s relationship with God has been cut off, he loses his trusted spiritual support and resorts to forbidden methods to try to solve the problem. It shows that when God will no longer respond, Saul turns to a human—indeed unlawful—approach. In the end, it reminds us that the true answers, comfort, and salvation come from obedience to God’s will, and that compromising with human means can bring even greater confusion and ruin.
Points for Reflection
- When I face difficulties or fear, what do I rely on, and how do I try to deal with the problem?
- When my relationship with God is cut off, what choices and direction do I have in my heart?
- Even if forbidden methods seem urgent, what spiritual attitude should I keep?
Applying It to My Life
- I remember that I need to listen more closely to God’s will and Word and take an attitude of obedience at decisive moments in my life.
- I also need to check whether, in my rush to solve problems, I am searching for the wrong methods and losing the center of my faith.
- I can keep looking back on my relationship with God, and even when it seems as though there is no response, I can use that as a chance to learn patience and trust.
