1 Samuel 28:20-25

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

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 28:20

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

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

Group of Brands