1 Samuel Chapter 28

At a Glance

  • Chapter 28 places Saul in a crisis of spiritual direction just as the Philistine threat converges with Israel.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • This chapter belongs to the tragic arc of Saul’s reign.
  • - Divine absence and human audacity: God’s silence drives Saul to forbidden means.
  • disobedience: Saul’s failure to heed God’s commands culminates in judgment.

Chapter Overview

Chapter 28 places Saul in a crisis of spiritual direction just as the Philistine threat converges with Israel. Saul, having banished mediums and spiritualists from the land, yet feeling abandoned by God who does not answer him by dreams or prophets, turns to a familiar occult route: Endor and the medium there. In this climactic moment of desperation, Saul disguises himself and seeks out a woman of occult arts to summon Samuel’s spirit. The haunting scene unfolds with the uncanny echo of Samuel’s ghostly appearance and a rebuke to Saul’s disobedience: the oracle from the dead confirms that Saul’s kingship has effectively ended, and that his house will be judged because of his disobedience and reliance on forbidden practices. The encounter reaffirms the prophet’s authority—even in death—and underscores the seriousness of royal faithfulness. Saul’s fear and David’s ongoing absence, along with the looming battle against the Philistines, amplify the tragedy: leadership without fidelity to God’s demands leads to ruin.

Historical & Literary Context

This chapter belongs to the tragic arc of Saul’s reign. It blends prophetic critique with royal crisis, illustrating the consequences of disobedience and spiritual audacity. The Endor episode echoes ancient Near Eastern practices while signaling a dramatic break in biblical trust—God’s silence contrasts with Saul’s desperate attempt to manipulate spiritual powers. The genre remains historical narrative with strong prophetic voices and moral instruction. The chapter situates Saul as a king who cannot sustain his vocation without obedience to God, and it intensifies the contrast with David’s faithful path. Thematically, it connects to the broader tension of God’s people seeking guidance and the dangers of seeking power through forbidden gates.

Key Themes

- Divine absence and human audacity: God’s silence drives Saul to forbidden means.

- Obedience vs. disobedience: Saul’s failure to heed God’s commands culminates in judgment.

- The limits of spiritual shortcuts: summoning Samuel highlights the dangers of manipulating spiritual power.

- Authority under judgment: Saul’s reign is effectively over; the true king’s path must still be discerned.

Modern Application

The chapter invites reflection on spiritual discernment today. When God seems silent, how do believers respond? Are we tempted to seek quick, unauthorized shortcuts for guidance or success? The text warns against attempting to manufacture spiritual authority outside God’s ordained channels. It also speaks to the necessity of repentance and faithful obedience as the only route to restoration. For communities in crisis, the chapter underscores the primacy of faithfulness over display, and the importance of turning to God in crisis rather than seeking power through magical means.

- 1 Samuel 15 (Saul’s disobedience and rejection as king)

- 1 Samuel 16-17 (David’s anointing and rise)

- Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (forbidden practices and divination)

- Psalm 27 (trust in the Lord amid fear)

Recommended Personas

- Saul (the king’s decline under disobedience)

- Samuel (the prophetic voice, now elicited through memory)

- David (the faithful alternative path)

- Jesus (fulfillment of true kingship and obedience)

Chapter Text

1

And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

2

And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

3

Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

4

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

5

And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

6

And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

7

Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

8

And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

9

And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

10

And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

11

Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

12

And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

13

And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

14

And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

15

And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

16

Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

17

And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:

18

Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

19

Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

20

Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

21

And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.

22

Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.

23

But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.

24

And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

25

And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore 1 Samuel Chapter 28 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

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