1 Samuel 28:3-7 NVIPT

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 28:6

(6) And when Saul enquired of the Lord.——The question has been asked, How was the enquiry made? for since the massacre at Nob, the high priest, or, at least, the priest in possession of the sacred ephod and the breastplate, with the Urim and Thummim, was, we know, in the camp of David, and we shall soon hear of a solemn use being made of the sacred gems. (See 1 Samuel 30:7-8.) It has been suggested by eminent Biblical scholars that after the murder of Ahimelech and the flight of Abiathar to... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 28:7

(7) Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit.—He was left alone to himself, and now the last spark of life, the religious zeal which he had once shown even to excess, then also vanished; or, rather. as must always be the case when it has thus swerved from the moral principle which alone can guide it, was turned into a wild and desperate superstition. The wizards and familiar spirits, whom in a fit of righteous indignation he had put out of the land, now became his only resource—Flectere si... 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Saul and the Witch of Endor 1 Samuel 28:7 I. How Valued and Beneficent Presences may be Withdrawn.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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Samuel 28:3

28:3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had {b} put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.(b) According to the commandment of God, Exodus 22:18, De 18:10,11. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Samuel 28:6

28:6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by {c} Urim, nor by prophets.(c) Meaning, the high priest, Exodus 28:30. 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

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Samuel 28:1-25

Saul At Endor 1Sa 28:7 SAMUEL was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. The death of such a man so described! How graphic in its simplicity is this book of God! No common author could afford to treat his best materials in this way. The writer who spins himself into fine sentences would have dwelt long and carefully upon the death of Samuel; he would have told how dreary was the hollow sound of the moaning wind on the burial day, how tearfully... read more