1 Samuel 28:21-25 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:20-25

We are here told how Saul received this terrible message from the ghost he consulted. He desired to be told what he should do (1 Sam. 28:15), but was only told what he had not done and what should be done to him. Those that expect any good counsel or comfort otherwise than from God, and in the way of his institutions, will be as wretchedly disappointed as Saul here was. Observe, I. How he sunk under the load, 1 Sam. 28:20. He was indeed unfit to bear it, having eaten nothing all the day... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:21

And the woman came unto Saul ,.... Having left him and the apparition in a room by themselves to converse together, and perhaps on hearing him fall to the ground came in: and saw that he was sore troubled : by his lying on the ground, and the agonies he seemed to be in, and the uneasiness that sat upon his countenance: and said unto him, behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice ; in divining by her familiar spirit for him, and in bringing up Samuel to him, as he desired: and I... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:22

Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid ,.... She argues, that as she had hearkened unto him to the endangering of her life, it was but reasonable, and might be expected, that he would hearken to her in a case that would be to the preservation of his life: and let me set a morsel of bread before thee, and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way ; which she might urge, not merely out of respect to the king, but for her own... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:23

But he refused, and said, I will not eat ,.... Choosing rather to die with famine than by the sword of the Philistines; though perhaps his meaning is, he could not eat, his stomach loathed it, being overwhelmed with grief and trouble: but his servants, together with the woman, compelled him ; not by force, but by arguments; they reasoned with him, and prevailed upon him to try to eat: and he hearkened unto their voice ; and agreed to eat, if he could: so he arose from the earth ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:24

And the woman had a fat calf in the house ,.... This was reckoned a very dainty dish in those countries, and fit for any guests, see Genesis 18:7 ; Josephus says F12 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 14. sect. 3. 4. , she vouchsafed to feed and take care of it in her house, and it was very familiar with her; and he highly commends the liberality of the woman, and as worthy of imitation: and she hasted and killed it ; and dressed it in some way or another, and which in those times was done... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:25

And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants, and they did eat ,.... Of the fatted calf, and unleavened bread, which she set upon a table before them, in the best manner she could: then they rose up, and went away that night ; that it might not be seen in what house they had been, and that they might get to the camp without being discovered by the Philistines, or known by the Israelites that they had been out. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:23

I will not eat - It is no wonder that not only his strength, but also his appetite, had departed from him. And sat upon the bed - Beds or couches were the common places on which the ancients sat to take their repasts. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:24

The woman had a fat calf - The ancients used great despatch in their cookery. In hot countries they could not keep flesh meat by them any length of time; hence they generally kept young animals, such as calves, lambs, and kids, ready for slaughter; and when there was occasion, one of them was killed, and dressed immediately. Unleavened bread - There was not time to bake leavened bread; that would have taken considerable time, in order that the leaven might leaven the whole... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:25

They rose up , and went away that night - The transactions of this chapter occupy one night only. Saul came by night to En-dor, 1 Samuel 28:8 . He consulted the woman, and had his conference with Samuel the same night; for no time whatever appears to have been lost after his arrival at En-dor. He was overcome by the heavy tidings which he heard; and which for a time appear to have deprived him of all power. The woman kills a calf; dresses a part; makes and bakes... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:20-25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:25

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:25

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:15-25

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