1 Samuel 28:1-3 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 28:1

And it came to pass in those days ,.... That David was in the country of the Philistines: that the Philistines gathered their armies together : out of their five principalities or lordships: for warfare to fight with Israel ; with whom they were continually at war, and though sometimes there was a cessation of arms, yet never any settled peace; and the Philistines took every opportunity and advantage against them, as they now did; when David was among them, and so had nothing to fear... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:2

And David said to Achish, surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do ,.... By which he would have Achish understand, and so he did, that he would exert himself in favour of the Philistines, and against Israel, and do great and brave things, of which Achish would be, made sensible, through his heroic courage and valour; though he meant rather what he could and should do for Israel against the Philistines, if he had an opportunity: but it seems best of all to consider David as quite... 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 28:1

The Philistines gathered their armies together - Sir Isaac Newton conjectures that the Philistines had got a great increase to their armies by vast numbers of men which Amasis had driven out of Egypt. This, with Samuel's death, and David's disgrace, were no inconsiderable motives to a new war, front which the Philistines had now every thing to hope. Thou shalt go out with me to battle - This he said, being deceived by what David had told him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:2

Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do - This was another equivocal answer; and could only be understood by his succeeding conduct. It might imply what he could do in favor of the Philistines against Israel; or in favor of Israel against the Philistines. Achish understood it in the former sense; and therefore he said to David, I will make thee keeper of my head for ever; i.e., Thou shalt be captain of my life-guards. 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

DOWNFALL AND DEATH OF SAUL ( CHS . 28-31.) THE PHILISTINES GATHER TOGETHER FOR WAR . DISTRESS OF SAUL , AND VISIT TO THE WITCH OF ENDOR ( 1 Samuel 28:1-25 .). EXPOSITION ACHISH SUMMONS DAVID TO JOIN HIM IN THE WAR AGAINST ISRAEL ( 1 Samuel 28:1-2 ). In those days. I.e. while David was dwelling at Ziklag. The Philistines gathered their armies together. This was, as Josephus has observed, a war upon a much... 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 28:2

Surely thou shalt know. Hebrew, "Therefore thou shalt know," i.e. if the case be so, thou shalt know, etc. The rendering of the A.V. makes David repeat the words of Achish, which literally are, "knowing thou shalt know," the Hebrew way of making a strong affirmation. David's reply is really ambiguous, but is understood by Achish as a boastful assent, and he thereupon promises, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head, i.e. captain of my bodyguard, forever . Therefore is... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:2

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:2

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 28:2

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