1 Samuel — Chapter 28

📖 1 Samuel — Chapter 28 (KJV)

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Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.

1 Samuel 28:1 And it came to pass in those days, ^Rthat 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.

1 Sam 7:7; 1 Sam 13:5

1 Samuel 28:2 And David said to Achish, ^RSurely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

1 Sam 27:10; 2 Sam 16:16-19

1 Samuel 28:3 Now ^RSamuel 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.

1 Sam 25:1; Isa 57:1-2

1 Samuel 28:4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in ^RShunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

Josh 19:18; 2 Kgs 4:8

1 Samuel 28:5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, ^Rhe was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

Job 15:21; Job 18:11

1 Samuel 28:6 And when Saul ^Renquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

1 Sam 14:37; 1 Chr 10:14

1 Samuel 28:7 Then said Saul unto his servants, ^RSeek 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.

2 Kgs 1:2-3; 2 Kgs 6:33

1 Samuel 28:8 And Saul ^Rdisguised 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.

1 Kgs 14:2-3; 1 Kgs 22:30,34

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: ^Rwherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

2 Sam 18:13; 2 Kgs 5:7

1 Samuel 28:10 And Saul ^Rsware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

1 Sam 14:39; 1 Sam 19:6

1 Samuel 28:11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

1 Samuel 28:12 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 ^Rthou art Saul.

1 Sam 28:3; 1 Kgs 14:5

1 Samuel 28:13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw ^Rgods ascending out of the earth.

Exod 4:16; Exod 22:28

1 Samuel 28:14 And he said unto her, ^TWhat form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with ^Ra mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

1 Sam 15:27; 2 Kgs 2:8,13-14

What is his form?

1 Samuel 28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, ^RWhy 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 ^Tby prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

1 Sam 28:8,11

by the hand of prophets

1 Samuel 28:16 Then said Samuel, ^RWherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

Judg 5:31; 2 Kgs 6:27

1 Samuel 28:17 And the LORD hath done ^R^Tto him, as he spake by ^Tme: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:

Prov 16:4

for himself

mine hand

1 Samuel 28:18 Because thou ^Robeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

1 Sam 13:9; 1 Sam 15:9,23-26

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.

1 Samuel 28:20 Then Saul ^Tfell straightway all along on the earth, and was ^Rsore 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.

1 Sam 28:5; 1 Sam 25:37

made haste, and fell with the fulness of his stature

1 Samuel 28:21 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 ^RI have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.

1 Sam 19:5; Judg 12:3

1 Samuel 28:22 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, when thou goest on thy way.

1 Samuel 28:23 But he refused, and said, ^RI 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.

1 Kgs 21:4; Prov 25:20

1 Samuel 28:24 And the woman had ^Ra fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

Gen 18:7-8; Luke 15:23

1 Samuel 28:25 And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

📚 Study This Chapter

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Samuel 28:1–10 — War approaches and Saul seeks forbidden counsel

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Achish expects David to join the battle against Israel. Meanwhile Saul, terrified and receiving no answer from the LORD, seeks a woman with a familiar spirit at Endor. He disguises himself and promises immunity, contradicting his own earlier removal of such practitioners.

Key Truth: Saul's fear leads him to seek the counsel he had forbidden.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Samuel 28:11–19 — Samuel's message repeats the judgment

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

The narrator identifies the figure speaking as Samuel, who confronts Saul with the LORD's departure and the prior judgment for disobedience concerning Amalek. The kingdom is given to David, and defeat and death are announced. The encounter provides no endorsement of consulting familiar spirits.

Key Truth: The message does not undo God's earlier word; it confirms the judgment Saul resisted.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Samuel 28:20–25 — Saul collapses and leaves by night

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Saul falls in fear and weakness after hearing the message. The woman and his servants persuade him to eat, and he leaves that night. The meal restores strength for travel but does not reverse the announced outcome.

Key Truth: The final scene offers physical support while the spiritual crisis remains unresolved.

Check What You Remember

Related Scripture (KJV)

Deuteronomy 18:11 — The law prohibits consulting familiar spirits and the dead.

This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.

Reflect and Apply

How does Samuel's message connect with chapter 15? Why should the report of this encounter not become a recommendation to seek forbidden counsel?

Notes

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1 Samuel — Chapter 28