1 Samuel 28:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:15-19

We have here the conference between Saul and Satan. Saul came in disguise (1 Sam. 28:8), but Satan soon discovered him, 1 Sam. 28:12. Satan comes in disguise, in the disguise of Samuel's mantle, and Saul cannot discover him. Such is the disadvantage we labour under, in wrestling with the rulers of the darkness of this world, that they know us, while we are ignorant of their wiles and devices. I. The spectre, or apparition, personating Samuel, asks why he is sent for (1 Sam. 28:15): Why hast... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:17

And the Lord hath done to him ,.... To David, Saul's enemy, as he insinuated he was: as he spake by me ; pretending to be the true Samuel, and wearing the guise of him, he speaks his very words, which he was well acquainted with, and could deliver exactly as he did: for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour ; which words are expressed by Samuel, 1 Samuel 15:28 , even unto David ; which is added by the apparition, by way of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:17

The Lord hath done to him - I believe these words are spoken of Saul; and as they are spoken to him, it seems evident that him should be thee. The Vulgate has tibi , the Septuagint σοι , to Thee: and this is the reading of five of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., as well as of both the Bibles printed at Venice in 1518, where we read לך lecha , to Thee, instead of לו lo , to Him. As he spake by me - Here was no illusion; none but Samuel could say this. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:15-25

The last fruitless effort. The facts of this section are— 1 . Saul, in reply to Samuel's question, declares, as the reason of seeking him, his deep distress and desire to know what to do. 2 . Samuel intimates that the inquiry is vain, as he cannot go against God; that the event causing so much distress was simply the perfecting of what had long before been declared; that David was the coming king, and that all this was the consequence of deliberate disobedience. 3 . He also... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:17-19

Jehovah hath done to him. Rather, "hath wrought for himself;" but the LXX ; Vulgate, and some MSS . read "hath done to thee," as in 1 Samuel 28:18 . As he spake by me. See 1 Samuel 15:28 . Saul's rebellion is there said, in 1 Samuel 15:23 , to be a crime as great as the witchcraft which he was at that time so zealously punishing; here, where the sentence is being carried into execution, Saul has himself become guilty of what in his better hours he so abominated. Jehovah will... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 28:17

To him - Better, “for Himself,” as in the margin. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 28:17-18

1 Samuel 28:17-18. The Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thy hand, &c. Here the prophet foretels that Saul should that day be stripped of the kingdom, and that it should be given to David. Then follows what nothing but infinite, unerring prescience could predict; an exact, minute, precise account of all the circumstances of the then depending event! Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the Lord Saul’s sin in killing the Lord’s priests, and in seeking to kill David, is not here... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:1-25

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 28:17

as = according as. by me = by my hand. 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

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