1 Samuel 28:3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:1-6

Here is, I. The design of the Philistines against Israel. They resolved to fight them, 1 Sam. 28:1. If the Israelites had not forsaken God, there would have been no Philistines remaining to molest them; if Saul had not forsaken him, they would by this time have been put out of all danger by them. The Philistines took an opportunity to make this attempt when they had David among them, whom they feared more than Saul and all his forces. II. The expectation Achish had of assistance from David in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:3

Now Samuel was dead ,.... Had been so for some time; which is mentioned before, 1 Samuel 25:1 ; and here repeated, partly to observe the reason of the Philistines renewing the war, and partly to account for the conduct of Saul, in seeking to a witch to raise Samuel, and for the sake of that story: and all Israel lamented him ; as they had great reason to do; See Gill on 1 Samuel 25:1 ; and buried him in Ramah, even his own city; there being two Ramahs, as Kimchi observes, it is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:3

Samuel was dead - And there was no longer a public accredited prophet to consult. Those that had familiar spirits , and the wizards - See the note on Leviticus 19:31 , and Exodus 22:18 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:1-5

The operation of moral causes. The facts are— 1 . On war arising between the Philistines and Israel, Achish reminds David of his obligation to assist him in battle. 2 . David, although answering ambiguously, is trusted by Achish, who promises him promotion. 3 . On the opposing forces being assembled, Saul's heart faints for fear of his enemy. The narrative shows that both David and Saul were at the same time in embarrassed circumstances, and each as the consequence of his sin.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:3

Samuel was dead. A repetition of 1 Samuel 25:1 , inserted to explain Saul's conduct, as is the other fact, that Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, etc. We are not told when Saul did this; but at the commencement of his reign, when he brought the ark to Nob, he was probably earnest generally in his observance of the precepts of the Mosaic law. Familiar spirits. Hebrew, oboth, the plural of ob , a leathern bottle. It is generally taken to refer to the distended belly... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 28:3

It does not appear when Saul had suppressed witchcraft; it was probably in the early part of his reign.Familiar spirits ... wizards - i. e. ventriloquists ... wise or cunning men. See Leviticus 19:31 note. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 28:3

1 Samuel 28:3. Now Samuel was dead, &c. This was observed before, 1 Samuel 25:1, but is repeated here again to show that Saul was now sensible of his loss, wanting his advice in a time of great distress. Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits According to the divine command, Leviticus 20:27, which perhaps he had executed in the beginning of his reign, when he was directed by Samuel. 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 28:3

in Ramah , &c. Hebrew "in Ramah and in his own city". Figure of speech Hendiadys ( App-6 ) = in his own city, Ramah. had familiar spirits . Familiar spirits are demons pretending to be dead persons; hence the word "necromancy". See notes on Leviticus 19:31 and Isaiah 8:19 . wizards = wise, cunning, or knowing ones. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:3

SAUL'S DECISION TO CONSULT THE WITCH OF ENDOR"Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the wizards out of the land. The Philistines assembled, and came and encamped at Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or... read more