1 Samuel 28:6

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:4-6

(4) And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered 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, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. It is more than probable, that Saul in his haste to destroy David, had neglected even the common means of safety respecting his... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:6

Dreams. During which God often revealed his will. See Deuteronomy xiii. 3. --- Priests. Hebrew, "nor by Urim." It seems Saul had appointed some priests, and had fabricated a fresh ephod, with the Urim, &c., after the departure of Abiathar. (Calmet) --- But Salien calls this in question, and there might neither be priests nor prophets for Saul to consult. (Haydock) --- God despised a man, who had slain so many of his sacred ministers. (Menochius) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:1-6

1-6 David could not refuse Achish without danger. If he promised assistance, and then stood neuter, or went over to the Israelites, he would behave with ingratitude and treachery. If he fought against Israel, he would sin greatly. It seemed impossible that he should get out of this difficulty with a clear conscience; but his evasive answer, intended to gain time, was not consistent with the character of an Israelite indeed. Troubles are terrors to the children of disobedience. In his distress,... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Samuel 28:1-14

The Consultation with the Witch v. 1. And it came to pass in those days, while David was still living in their country, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare to fight with Israel. It was a mustering of all the soldiers of the Philistine city-states that were fit for military duty; for the purpose was not a mere raid, but a campaign of conquest. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, since the circumstances were such as David saw before his eyes, that... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 1 Samuel 28:1-25

FOURTH SECTIONSaul’s Downfall in War with the Philistines1 Samuel 28-31I. David in the Philistine Expedition against Israel. Saul’s Visit to the Witch of Endor1 Samuel 28:1-251And it came to pass in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies1 together for warfare,2 to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly that thou shalt go out with me to battle [in the army],1 thou and 2thy men. And David said to Achish, Surely [Therefore] thou3 shalt know what thy... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:1-14

Resorting to a Familiar Spirit 1 Samuel 28:1-14 This chapter records the climax to which Saul’s sins led, and which sealed his fate. See 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 . He went back to that which he had put away and sought counsel of a familiar spirit, 2 Peter 2:20-22 . The soul cannot live apart from the unseen world. It is its native element. Divorce it from God, and it will fill the empty space with demons. When the king could get no answer to his questions by the usual means, he sent his... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 28:1-25

It is strange how this story has been made to serve in defense of things occult, which, as a matter of fact, it condemns. Let it be carefully read, and it becomes perfectly patent that this woman had nothing to do with bringing up Samuel. Still practicing her black art, and that in secret, because of the king's edict against all of her class, she commenced, on the occasion of Saul's visit, to practice the deceptions with which she was familiar. When in response to her incantations, as it... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:3-19

Saul Consults A Necromancer And Samuel Appears To Him (1 Samuel 28:3-19 ). Having been unable to obtain any response from God, Saul, in desperation, determined to turn to a necromancer. It would, however, only be in order to receive bad news. For Samuel’s message to him would be that his case was hopeless. Thus instead of receiving help he would learn of coming failure and death. It is a reminder that those who treat God lightly can be sure that one day they will reap what they have sown, and... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:2-25

1 Samuel 28:2 is continued by 1 Samuel 29:1; the connexion is broken by the insertion of— 1 Samuel 28:3-Lamentations : . Saul and the Witch of Endor.— This section interrupts the connexion; moreover, it would come naturally immediately before the battle of Gilboa. Saul is at Gilboa (p. 29) in 284. Opinions are divided; some hold that this section is from another source (E) than the bulk of 1 Samuel 25-31, and some that it is from the same source (J), that originally it stood in that document... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 28:6

Saul inquired of the Lord, in his slight and perfunctory way, as 1 Samuel 14:19, as appears from hence, that when God did not speedily answer him, he goes to the devil for an answer, 1 Samuel 28:7; for which reason he is said, not to have inquired of the Lord, 1 Chronicles 10:14, i.e. not seriously, and after the right order. Possibly he inquired by some prophet then with him, or by the priest before the ark. The Lord answered him not, because he sought him not in due order; not by the Urim and... read more

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