1 Samuel 28:13

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 28:13-14

1 Samuel 28:13-14. For what sawest thou?— It should be rendered, but what sawest thou? The word translated Gods, is אלהים elohim. The Chaldee renders it, a messenger of the Lord. Houbigant thinks that she speaks after the manner of idolators, who used to address in the plural the gods whom they worshipped; a custom which they transferred to their Genii, and even to the souls of the departed which they evoked. Saul, acquainted with this language, sufficiently understood that the woman saw only... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 28:3-25

Saul’s attempt to secure divine guidance from a medium 28:3-25The story involving Saul’s meeting with the "witch" of Endor is one of the best known in 1 Samuel. 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... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 28:8-14

Saul’s conversation with the medium 28:8-14Evidently Saul knew the woman would not cooperate with him if she knew who he was, so he disguised himself (1 Samuel 28:8). He further hid his hypocrisy by visiting her under cover of darkness. Saul sank so low as to swear to the woman in the Lord’s name that he would not punish her for breaking the Lord’s Law (1 Samuel 28:10). This too was hypocrisy. He wanted to give a public impression of upholding the Mosaic Law, but really he broke it by seeking... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:1-25

Saul and the Witch of Endor1 Samuel 28:3-25 come from another document and interrupt the connexion, as will be seen if the account is read without them. In order of time their proper position is after 1 Samuel 30. In 1 Samuel 29:1 the Philistines are still in Aphek; in 1 Samuel 29:11 they advance to Jezreel, where we find them in 1 Samuel 28:4. In 1 Samuel 28:3-25 we have come to the eve of the battle, the account of which follows in 1 Samuel 31. 2. Keeper of mine head] i.e. captain of my... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 28:13

(13) I saw gods ascending out of the earth.—The king at once calms the witch’s fears for her life, and impatiently, as it would seem, asks what she saw which called forth the cry of fear and terror. “Gods”—this is the rendering of the Hebrew word Elohim. The English Version, however, follows the majority of the Versions here. The Chaldee translates the word by “angels.” Corn, à Lapide and the best modern scholars, however, reasoning from Saul’s words which immediately follow—“What is his... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Samuel 28:1-25

Saul and the Witch of Endor 1 Samuel 28:7 I. How Valued and Beneficent Presences may be Withdrawn. What pathos there is in the fact that on the eve of dreaded battle Saul has not his friend, his teacher, his pastor, to consult. Samuel was dead. Samuel had been everything to Saul. But Saul had not treated him well. He had slighted his old friend. Saul would have given a great deal to have had his rejected and grieved friend now, but 'Samuel was dead'. II. How a Man may Cut Himself Off from... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:3-25

CHAPTER XXXIV.SAUL AT ENDOR.1 Samuel 28:3-25.FOR a considerable time Saul had been drifting along like a crippled vessel at sea, a melancholy example of a man forsaken of God. But as his decisive encounter with the Philistines drew on, the state of helplessness to which he had been reduced became more apparent than ever. He had sagacity enough to perceive that the expedition which the Philistines were now leading against him was the most formidable that had ever taken place in his day. It was... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 28:1-23

7. Saul and the Witch at Endor CHAPTER 28 1. David fully joined to Achish (1 Samuel 28:1-2 ) 2. Forsaken Saul (1 Samuel 28:3-6 ) 3. The command to seek a witch (1 Samuel 28:7 ) 4. Saul’s visit to Endor (1 Samuel 28:8-14 ) 5. Samuel’s solemn message (1 Samuel 28:15-20 ) 6. Saul’s despair and departure (1 Samuel 28:21-23 ) Saul’s final plunge towards his awful end is the main topic of this chapter. Israel had adopted necromancy, asking the dead, and other occult and wicked practices... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:1-25

The inevitable conflict between Israel and the Philistines arises again, and David finds himself in an unpleasant situation Achish tells him that he and his men must accompany Achish to fight against Israel. Could he possibly do this? No! Could he explain this to Achish? Nol Instead he answers him In a way that sounded favorable to Achish, but did not commit himself one way or the other. He told him, "You shall know what your servant can do" (v.2). This sounded so enthusiastic to Achish that... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:1-25

SAUL ’S CAREER ENDED CALAMITY FORETOLD (1 Samuel 28:0 ) This chapter is important and illustrates again the deceptive character of Saul. Having professedly put the necromancers out of Israel in obedience to the divine command (Leviticus 19:31 ; Leviticus 20:27 ; Deuteronomy 18:10-11 ), he no sooner finds himself in straits than he seeks out one of them for his aid. Two questions arise. Did Samuel really come forth from the dead, and was it the woman’s power that brought him forth? To the... read more

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