1 Samuel 28:3-25

1 Samuel 28:3-25

[3] 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.  [4] And the Philistines  gathered themselves together,  and came  and pitched  in Shunem:  and Saul  all Israel  together,  and they pitched  in Gilboa.  [5] And when Saul  saw  the host  of the Philistines,  he was afraid,  and his heart  greatly  trembled.  [6] And when Saul  enquired  of 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,  to her, and enquire  of her. And his servants  said  to him, Behold, there is a woman  that hath  a familiar spirit  at Endor.  [8] And Saul  disguised  himself, and put on  other  raiment,  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. [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?  [10] And Saul  sware  to her by the LORD,  saying,  As the LORD  liveth,  there shall  no punishment  happen  to thee for this thing.  [11] Then said  the woman,  Whom shall I bring up  unto thee? And he said,  Bring me up  Samuel.  [12] And 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.  [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.  [14] And 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.  [16] Then said  Samuel,  Wherefore then dost thou ask  of me, seeing the LORD  is departed  from thee, and is become thine enemy?  [17] And 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:  [18] Because  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.  [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.  [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.  [21] And 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  [22] Now 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,  on thy way.  [23] But 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.  [24] And 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  [25] And she brought  it before  Saul,  and before  his servants;  and they did eat.  Then they rose up,  that night. 

What does 1 Samuel 28:3-25 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The story involving Saul"s meeting with the "witch" of Endor is one of the best known in1Samuel. It contains some unique events that have troubled Bible students for many years. Again the spotlight of revelation turns back to Saul from David. We see here Saul"s insensibility due to his departure from God.
"This visit to the medium of Endor is cited by the Chronicler as proof positive that Saul deserved the judgment that fell on him at Gilboa ( 1 Chronicles 10:13)." [1]