1 Samuel 28
Meaning of 1 Samuel 28
1 Samuel 28 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible that primarily discusses the story of Saul consulting with a medium, often referred to as the “Witch of Endor” story.
At the beginning of the chapter, the Philistines were preparing for war with Israel. Saul, the king of Israel, was extremely afraid for his kingdom when he saw the massive army of Philistine. Saul prayed to God for help, but God had previously rejected Saul due to his disobedience, and He did not answer him.
Desperate for guidance, Saul sought the help of a medium, someone who claimed to communicate with the dead, despite the fact he had previously banished all mediums and spiritualists from the land under Jewish law. Saul found a medium in Endor and convinced her to bring up the spirit of the late prophet Samuel.
When the spirit of Samuel appeared, he prophesied that Saul and his sons would die in the battle the following day, and the Israelites would fall into the hands of the Philistines, which later happened as foretold.
This chapter, thus, showcases Saul’s desperation, his disobedience of God’s laws, and the tragic consequences of his actions. It’s a significant part of the larger narrative, reflecting on king Saul’s rule and his continued distancing from God’s guidance.
1 Samuel 28 kjv
“1 Samuel 28” is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible and the Jewish Tanakh. In the King James Version (KJV), which is an English translation of the Bible, this chapter tells about Saul consulting a medium at Endor.
At the start of the chapter, we see the Philistines gathering to fight against Israel and Saul, the King of Israel, is terrified. He seeks wisdom from God about what to do, but hears nothing from dreams, prophets, or the sacred Urim Thummim.
In his desperation, despite having previously banished all witches and mediums from Israel, Saul seeks a medium to communicate with the spirit of deceased prophet Samuel. He finds a woman in Endor who agrees to conduct a séance, not knowing his identity initially.
In the séance, the spirit of Samuel appears and chastises Saul for disturbing him. He reiterates what he prophesied in life – that Saul’s kingdom will fall into the hands of David due to his disobedience to God. He also foretells Saul and his sons’ deaths on the next day’s battle.
The chapter ends with Saul weak and terrified. The woman and his servants manage to convince him to eat before the upcoming battle.
It’s a chapter that depicts a critical turning point in the history of Israel, where Saul’s leadership becomes inevitably destined to end, and David’s ascension to the throne is imminent.
Please note that interpretations can vary between different religious belief systems and biblical scholars.
1 Samuel 28 nkjv
1 Samuel 28 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 1 Samuel. Here is a summary of that chapter:
The chapter begins with the Philistines assembling their armies for war against Israel. Saul, the King of Israel, is terrified by this. Since the prophet Samuel has died and God is not answering Saul’s prayers, in desperation, he seeks guidance from a medium, which is against God’s law.
Saul disguises himself and, with two of his men, visits the Witch of Endor at night. Unaware of his true identity, the woman reminds her visitor that Saul has outlawed mediums and spiritists. Saul swears to her by the Lord that she will not be punished for her actions, and asks her to bring up the spirit of Samuel.
When the spirit of Samuel rises, the witch is frightened because she realizes that her client is King Saul. Saul calms her and asks her to describe the spirit, to which she says an old man is coming up, wearing a robe. Saul then realizes it’s Samuel, and he bows down in reverence.
Saul tells Samuel how the Philistines are attacking and God has departed from him and stopped answering his prayers. Samuel reiterates what he said while he was alive – that the Lord has torn the kingdom out of Saul’s hands and given it to David because of his disobedience, specifically when Saul failed to carry out the Lord’s fierce wrath against the Amalekites.
Samuel also foretells of Saul and his sons’ imminent death in battle. Saul is horrified and faints from fear and hunger, since he had not eaten anything all day and all night. The medium and his men encourage Saul to eat. Initially, he refuses, but then they finally convince him, and the woman prepares a fatted calf and unleavened bread for him to eat before he leaves.
The chapter serves as a profound criticism of Saul’s leadership and his failure to fully obey God’s commands, by seeking a medium which goes against God’s laws and his failure to fully eliminate the Amalekites as was instructed in God’s command. His desperate attempt to reach Samuel shows his fear and desperation in the face of the Philistine threat. This chapter showcases the consequences of Saul’s rebellion against God.
1 Samuel 28 niv
1 Samuel 28 is an episode from the Old Testament of the Bible. In this chapter, participants include the Israelite King Saul, the prophet Samuel (who is already dead by this point), and a woman from Endor known as a medium or a witch.
Below is a brief explanation of key events that occur during this chapter.
The chapter starts with the Philistines gathering their forces for war. Afraid, Saul inquires of the Lord, but the Lord does not answer him. This lack of answer is through dreams, Urim, or prophets, the conventional sources of divine guidance in Israel’s theocratic system.
Consumed by fear and desperate for guidance, Saul decides to seek the services of a medium, despite having previously expelled all of them from his kingdom due to their inconsistent practices with Jewish laws.
Saul disguises himself and visits the medium of Endor and asks her to bring Samuel’s spirit back from the dead. The woman, recognizing Saul, initially hesitates but eventually complies.
Samuel’s summoned spirit reprimands Saul for disturbing him. Samuel reiterates what he had previously told Saul while he was still alive: Saul’s kingdom would be given to David because Saul did not obey the Lord.
Samuel then predicts Saul’s impending defeat and death: the Israelites will fall into the hands of the Philistines, and Saul and his sons will die in the battle and join him in the afterlife.
The encounter leaves Saul crestfallen and weak. The chapter concludes with the medium and his servants convincing Saul to eat, after which Saul and his servants leave for the upcoming battle with the Philistines.
This chapter of 1 Samuel is significant because it illustrates the downfall of Saul and foreshadows the rise of David as king.
What is 1 Samuel 28 all about?
1 Samuel 28 is a chapter in the First Book of Samuel from the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, and in the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible. This chapter narrates the story of Saul and the Witch of Endor.
In this chapter, during the war with Philistines, King Saul of Israel found himself threatened and greatly feared the forces of the Philistines. As Samuel, the prophet whom Saul would usually turn to for guidance, had passed away, and God did not provide him any answers, Saul became desperate.
In his desperation, Saul turned to a Witch at Endor, which was against God’s laws, to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. The Witch, afraid of the King’s command, reminded him of his own laws against witchcraft. But Saul comforted her and swore that she would not be punished.
Once Samuel was summoned, he was upset to be disturbed and prophesied the doom of Saul and his sons, saying that they would join him the following day. Samuel told Saul that he and his sons would be defeated in the battle and die as a consequence of his disobedience to God’s commandments.
The chapter ends with the Witch persuading Saul, who was deeply distressed by the prophecy, to eat something. After initially refusing, Saul and his servants finally accept her offer and had a meal before leaving.
In general, this chapter highlights Saul’s desperation, the consequences of his disobedience to God’s commandments, and the inevitability of the prophecy dictated by Samuel.
What does 1 Samuel 28 teaches?
1 Samuel 28 is an intriguing chapter in the Bible that centers on a story involving Saul, the king of Israel, and an unnamed medium or witch from Endor, sometimes referred to as the Witch of Endor. Here are several key teachings from this chapter:
1. Consequences of Disobedience to God: In the earlier part of his reign, Saul had expelled practitioners of divination from Israel, obeying God’s law. But out of desperation, he later seeks out a medium when God, through the prophets and dreams, does not give him the answer he desires. This highlights the consequences of doing things in contradiction to God’s will and how desperation can lead to disobedience.
2. The Finality of God’s Judgment: Despite his attempt to get around God’s silence by using a medium to bring up the prophet Samuel, Saul is told the same message: that the kingdom has been torn from him and given to David. This highlights God’s consistency in His judgments and decisions.
3. The Consequences of Seeking Forbidden Knowledge: Saul’s desire to know the outcome of the imminent battle leads him to seek Samuel’s spirit. But instead of assurance, Saul receives a pronouncement of his and his sons’ deaths, causing great fear and despair. This teaches that seeking knowledge through forbidden means often leads to dire consequences.
4. The Importance of Trusting God: Instead of trusting in God, Saul took matters into his own hands. He was driven by fear instead of faith. The chapter teaches the importance of trusting in God during tough times.
In summary, 1 Samuel 28 teaches about the consequences of disobedience to God, the finality of His judgment, the repercussions of seeking forbidden knowledge, and the importance of trusting God, even when His answers are not what we desire.
A Sermon on 1 Samuel 28
1 Samuel 28 is one of the chapters in the Old Testament which gives a detailed account about the episode of King Saul and his encounter with the Witch of Endor who summons the spirit of Prophet Samuel.
Here’s a general outline of a sermon based on 1 Samuel 28:
1. Introduction: Explanation of the historical context of the passage. This chapter falls during the latter days of King Saul’s reign when he was facing significant pressure from the Philistines, and Samuel, the prophet of God, had passed away.
2. Saul’s Despairing Situation: Saul was desperate and scared. Despite his previous decisions to expel wizards and spirit-channelers, he seeks one in his fear. Explore the idea that fear can drive even the most powerful to desperation, and remind the congregation that turning to God, not other forces, is the true answer.
3. The Unlawful Consultation: Discuss the significance of Saul’s decision to consult a medium, the Witch of Endor, which was against God’s commands in various books of the Bible (Leviticus 19:31, Leviticus 20:6, and Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Moreover, Saul had himself banned the practice earlier. This shows a lack of faith Saul had in God’s plans and his desperate attempts to control his own fate.
4. The Resurrection of Samuel’s Spirit: Discuss the unusual event of the Witch of Endor summoning Samuel’s spirit. Evaluate the theological aspects of this encounter – whether it was Samuel’s spirit, a demonic impersonation or God intervening. What’s crucial is the message that it delivered.
5. Samuel’s Prophecy: Reflect on the prophecy of doom that Samuel disclosed. Samuel confirmed God’s decree that Saul’s reign was coming to an end due to a lack of faith, obedience and contrition. Samuel also prophesized that Saul and his sons would die in battle and Israel would fall into the hands of the Philistine army. Use this prophecy to discuss the consequences of disobedience and lack of faith in God.
6. Conclusion: Reinforce the importance of genuine repentance, faith, and obedience in our relationship with God. Use Saul’s life as a cautionary tale to encourage us to fully trust in God, instead of trying to control our own destiny.
Remember, a sermon should not only recount the scriptural text but also deliver a message or lesson to the audience. It doesn’t only explain what happened in the Bible, but how those events are relevant to the audience today.
Key people in 1 Samuel 28
In 1 Samuel Chapter 28, there are three key figures:
1. Saul: Saul is the King of Israel during the time narrated in this chapter. At this point, Saul has lost the favor of God due to his disobedience. The chapter specifically focuses on his fear and desperation due to the approaching Philistine army. Not receiving answers in his prayers, he resorts to seeking help from a medium at Endor, which ironically he had previously banished from his kingdom.
2. The Witch of Endor: Also known as the medium of Endor, she is a woman who practices divination and necromancy. Saul seeks her out, even though he had previously expelled all mediums and diviners from Israel, because he is desperate for guidance. Saul asks her to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel.
3. Samuel: Samuel is the prophet who had anointed both Saul and David as kings of Israel. In 1 Samuel 28, Samuel is already deceased, but Saul commands the Witch of Endor to bring his spirit back. Through Samuel, God delivers a chilling foretelling of Saul’s defeat and death. Samuel reminds Saul that God has departed from him and has become his enemy due to his disobedience, and this sets up a tragic end for Saul.
Real world examples on 1 Samuel 28
1 Samuel 28 recounts the story of King Saul of Israel consulting a medium, the Witch of Endor, to summon the spirit of the dead prophet Samuel, seeking his guidance in an upcoming battle against the Philistines. This action goes against God’s law which forbids communication with the dead.
Real World Examples:
1. Avoiding despair when faced with challenges: In this chapter, King Saul feels isolated and terrified. This may be paralleled in real-life when individuals face numerous challenges or when they feel alone and scared. This story reminds us that resorting to negative or forbidden acts in desperation may lead to dire consequences instead of relief or problem solving.
2. Seeking inappropriate means for guidance and answers: There are modern instances where people, like Saul, seek inappropriate or unconventional means for guidance in their distress. This could includes mediums, we might consider psychics or fortune tellers in the modern context. The Bible however, guides believers to seek answers and guidance through prayer, and trust in God’s plan and timing.
3. The consequences of disobedience: Saul was told by God’s prophet Samuel that he would lose the kingdom due to his disobedience. This did come to pass, illustrating that actions have consequences. In the real world, this can be seen when a person continually disobeys or ignores sound advice or rules and finds themselves in a negative situation as a result.
4. Death is inevitable and is a part of life: When Samuel’s spirit is brought back, he reminds Saul that he and his sons will die in the upcoming battle. This is a stark reminder of our mortality. In life, death is something that everyone will at some point face and must come to terms with.
5. Reliance on exterior validation or guidance: Saul’s desperate consultation with the Witch of Endor reinforces the reliance some people have on exterior validation and guidance, instead of trusting in their instincts, wisdom, or faith. This isn’t limited to Biblical situations or spiritual guidance but could be seen in the way some people constantly seek approval or guidance from others in their life decisions.
These real-world examples are meant to be lessons drawn from the Biblical story and not direct correlations as the underlying belief system and context might be different.
Brief Explanation of 1 Samuel 28
1 Samuel 28 is an intriguing chapter in the books of Samuel in the Old Testament of the Bible. It deals with the story of King Saul consulting a medium, known as the Witch of Endor, to summon the spirit of the Prophet Samuel.
The chapter begins with the Philistines gathering an army to fight Israel. Saul, afraid and distressed about the upcoming battle, seeks guidance from God but receives no response, neither through dreams, Urim, nor prophets.
In his desperation, Saul decides to seek help from a medium, despite having previously banished all such people from the kingdom. He disguises himself and, along with two men, goes to a woman at Endor who has the power to summon spirits. Saul asks her to bring forth the spirit of the deceased Samuel.
When Samuel’s spirit appears, he is upset that Saul has disturbed him. Saul explains his predicament, but Samuel tells him that God has torn the kingdom away from him and given it to David due to Saul’s disobedience. Samuel also foretells that Saul and his sons will join him (Samuel in death) the next day.
The chapter ends with Saul fainting from fear and hunger. The medium and his men persuade him to eat before leaving. The woman prepares a meal, and they eat together before departing in the night. This final encounter leaves a deep impression of impending doom for Saul and his reign. The chapter is remarkable for being a rare biblical account of necromancy and its consequences.
Frequently asked questions for 1 Samuel 28
1. Who was Saul consulting in 1 Samuel 28?
Saul consulted a medium, also known as a witch, at Endor when he was terrified by the numerical superiority of the gathered Philistine army.
2. Why did Saul disguise himself when visiting the witch at Endor?
Saul had previously put mediums and spiritists out of the land as per the law of Moses. So, he disguised himself to avoid recognition and so that the woman would agree to perform the séance.
3. Who does the medium at Endor bring up from the dead?
The medium at Endor brings up Samuel’s spirit, at Saul’s request.
4. What prophecies does Samuel make when he is brought back?
Samuel prophesied that Saul and his sons would die in battle the next day and the Israelites would fall into the hands of the Philistines.
5. What is Saul’s reaction to Samuel’s prophecy?
Saul was deeply distressed and scared by Samuel’s prophecy. He fell full length on the ground due to fear and weakness, as he hadn’t eaten anything all day and night.
6. Why couldn’t Saul inquire of the LORD?
God had departed from Saul and no longer answered him, either by dreams, Urim, or prophets due to Saul’s disobedience and unfaithfulness.
7. Why did the medium at Endor feed Saul after their session?
The medium fed Saul because he was physically weak and emotionally distressed. She wanted to provide strength for his journey back.
Possible References for 1 Samuel 28
1 Samuel 28 refers to a chapter in the first book of Samuel in the Old Testament of the Bible. This chapter tells the story of a significant event of the biblical Israelite history.
The major themes and events included in this chapter are :
1. Saul and the Witch of Endor: In this story, the king of Israel, Saul, seeks counsel from a ‘Witch’ or a ‘Medium’ at Endor because he is fearful of the Philistine armies. God is silent when Saul seeks guidance, and hence, Saul decides to seek help elsewhere. It’s noteworthy that Saul had previously expelled all the mediums from Israel, and yet he consults one in his desperation.
2. Samuel’s Ghost: The Medium conjures up the spirit of the prophet Samuel, who had passed away. Samuel predicts Saul’s defeat and death.
3. Saul’s Despair: Hearing this, Saul is struck with fear and despair. In his weak state, the Witch feeds and takes care of him.
Here are some possible references/interpretations:
1st Samuel 28:3-5: These verses highlight Saul’s fear and desperation when faced with his enemies. It implies the human tendency to resort to forbidden actions out of fear.
1st Samuel 28:6: Saul’s failure to receive answers from God implies the spiritual isolation and punishment one incurs due to disobedience.
1st Samuel 28:15-19: Samuel’s prediction points towards the inevitability of divine justice. Saul was to be punished for his disobedience and for killing the priests of the Lord.
1st Samuel 28:20-25: Show Saul’s grief and despair, it demonstrates the tremendous impact of guilt and fear on human consciousness.
This chapter provides important moral and spiritual lessons about obedience to God, the dangers of seeking forbidden means of knowledge and the inherent despair in relying on such methods.
Conclusion on 1 Samuel 28
1 Samuel 28 tells the story of King Saul consulting a medium (the Witch of Endor) to summon the spirit of the deceased prophet, Samuel, for advice against the upcoming battle with the Philistines. Since God had ceased speaking to Saul through dreams or prophets, Saul was desperate and turned to the forbidden act of necromancy.
The conclusion of this chapter reveals several key points. Samuel’s spirit predictably chastises Saul for disobeying God and confirms that Saul and his sons will die the next day in battle, and the Israelite army will be handed over to the Philistines.
This signifies a few important morals and truths:
1. Saul’s disobedience, lack of trust, and impatience with God led to his downfall.
2. It reiterates the biblical prohibition against seeking guidance from the dead or mediums; true wisdom only comes from God.
3. It confirms that God’s judgement is not reversible, any attempt to escape it is futile.
4. It serves as a narrative emphasis, presenting Saul’s tragic end and contrasting it with David’s righteous path.
In summary, the conclusion of the 1 Samuel 28 is that Saul’s fate is sealed due to his disobedience and that he, his sons, and the Israelites will fall into the hands of the Philistines.