Thou shalt know ... - David dissembled (compare also 1 Samuel 29:8), hoping, no doubt, that something would happen to prevent his fighting against his king and country.Keeper of mine head - Captain of his bodyguard. read more
It does not appear when Saul had suppressed witchcraft; it was probably in the early part of his reign.Familiar spirits ... wizards - i. e. ventriloquists ... wise or cunning men. See Leviticus 19:31 note. read more
1 Samuel 28:1. The Philistines gathered their armies together Sir Isaac Newton judges that they were recruited about this time by vast numbers of men driven out of Egypt by Amasis. This probably was one reason why they resolved on a new war with Israel, to which, however, Samuel’s death and David’s disgrace were doubtless additional motives. Achish said to David, Thou shalt go out with me to battle Achish formed this resolution in consequence of his knowledge of David’s merit, and the... read more
1 Samuel 28:2. David said, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do He answered ambiguously, as he did before. Achish said, Therefore will I make thee keeper of my head That is, he promised to make him captain of his life-guard, which, we find by the sequel, he accordingly did. Achish evidently understood David as promising that he would do his best to serve him. Delaney thinks that David gave Achish a doubtful answer, because he would not resolve upon so extraordinary a step... read more
1 Samuel 28:3. Now Samuel was dead, &c. This was observed before, 1 Samuel 25:1, but is repeated here again to show that Saul was now sensible of his loss, wanting his advice in a time of great distress. Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits According to the divine command, Leviticus 20:27, which perhaps he had executed in the beginning of his reign, when he was directed by Samuel. read more
Another Philistine-Israelite war (28:1-29:11)When the Philistines set out to attack Israel, Achish made David and his troops his personal bodyguard (28:1-2). Back in Israel, Saul was terrified. He asked God what he should do, but God refused to show him (3-6). So he went to a woman who consulted the spirits of the dead, hoping that through her he could get directions from Samuel (7-14).Samuel spoke to Saul from the world of the dead, but he gave him neither comfort nor help. He merely confirmed... read more
men . Hebrew. '. enosh. App-14 . read more
Surely = Therefore; which Achish repeats in his reply. keeper of mine head : i.e. captain of my body-guard. read more
in Ramah , &c. Hebrew "in Ramah and in his own city". Figure of speech Hendiadys ( App-6 ) = in his own city, Ramah. had familiar spirits . Familiar spirits are demons pretending to be dead persons; hence the word "necromancy". See notes on Leviticus 19:31 and Isaiah 8:19 . wizards = wise, cunning, or knowing ones. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:3
Samuel was dead. A repetition of 1 Samuel 25:1 , inserted to explain Saul's conduct, as is the other fact, that Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, etc. We are not told when Saul did this; but at the commencement of his reign, when he brought the ark to Nob, he was probably earnest generally in his observance of the precepts of the Mosaic law. Familiar spirits. Hebrew, oboth, the plural of ob , a leathern bottle. It is generally taken to refer to the distended belly... read more