1 Samuel 28:20, 1 Samuel 28:5 NASB

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 28:20

Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth ,.... Fell at his full length at once, as if he had been thunderstruck, or pierced through with a dart or sword: and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel ; as he supposed they were, whose words never failed: and there was no strength in him : to rise up again, he was quite dispirited and strengthless: for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night ; which contributed the more to his weakness; not only his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:20

Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth - Literally, he fell with his own length, or with the fullness of his stature. He was so overwhelmed with this most dreadful message, that he swooned away, and thus fell at his own length upon the ground. The woman, being terrified, had probably withdrawn to some distance at the first appearance of the prophet; and Saul was left alone with Samuel. After some short time, the woman came again unto Saul, found him sore troubled,... 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 28:20-25

Saul fell straightway all along, i.e. at full length, on the earth . He fainted, partly from mental distress, partly from bodily exhaustion, as he had gone all the day and all the night without food. It was this long continued violent emotion of feeling which had driven Saul to this rash enterprise; but fasting and agony of mind were the worst possible preparation for a visit to one used to cajole her victims by pretended magical arts, and gifted, as people of her class usually are,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 28:20

1 Samuel 28:20. Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth Struck to the heart, as if the archers of the Philistines had already hit him, at the hearing this dreadful sentence pronounced upon himself, his family, and people; and overcome with astonishment and terror. And was sore afraid because of the words of Samuel Observe, reader, the words of Samuel, says the inspired historian, and not the words of Satan, or any evil spirit personating Samuel. These words, which he now fully... 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 28:20

fell straightway = remained motionless. Compare Acts 9:7 , where "stood. speechless = remained speechless. See Acts 26:14 . The two passages together = fell, and remained so. bread = food. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species). App-6 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:20

SAUL'S VISIT TO THE WITCH OF ENDOR WAS CONCLUDED"Then Saul fell at once full length upon the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel; and there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, "Behold, your handmaid has hearkened to what you have said to me. Now therefore, you also hearken to your handmaid; let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 28:20-21

1 Samuel 28:20-21. Then Saul fell straightway— Immediately after having pronounced the dreadful words in the former verse, Samuel disappeared, leaving the unhappy king in the most dreadful consternation. Saul, most probably, during the time of Samuel's appearance, had been left alone with him, the woman having retired. Continuing some time prostrate upon the earth, without power to move or speak, the woman at length returned to him, and with his servants persuaded him to take some refreshment.... read more

1 Samuel 28:20, 1 Samuel 28:5 Nasb