1 Samuel Chapter 28 — Saul and the Medium at En-dor
Fearing an imminent Philistine attack and receiving no response from God, Saul visits a medium to summon the spirit of Samuel, who prophesies his defeat and death.
1In those days, the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, “Know assuredly that you will go out with me in the army, you and your men.”
2David said to Achish, “Therefore you will know what your servant can do.”
3Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had sent away those who had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land.
4The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.
5When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
6When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD didn’t answer him by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets.
7Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her.”
8Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. Then he said, “Please consult for me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomever I shall name to you.”
9The woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?”
10Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, “As the LORD lives, no punishment will happen to you for this thing.”
11Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up to you?”
12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!”
13The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid! What do you see?”
14He said to her, “What does he look like?”
15Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?”
16Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has departed from you and has become your adversary?
17The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, even to David.
18Because you didn’t obey the LORD’s voice, and didn’t execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you today.
19Moreover the LORD will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will deliver the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”
20Then Saul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was terrified, because of Samuel’s words. There was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all day long or all night long.
21The woman came to Saul and saw that he was very troubled, and said to him, “Behold, your servant has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
22Now therefore, please listen also to the voice of your servant, and let me set a morsel of bread before you. Eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.”
23But he refused, and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed.
24The woman had a fattened calf in the house. She hurried and killed it; and she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread of it.
25She brought it before Saul and before his servants, and they ate. Then they rose up and went away that night.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Samuel 28:6
“When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD didn’t answer him by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets.”
This verse underscores Saul's total spiritual abandonment and the silence of God resulting from his repeated failures.
1 Samuel 28:17
“The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, even to David.”
This confirms that the prophecy given years earlier by Samuel is finally reaching its fulfillment.
1 Samuel 28:19
“Moreover the LORD will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.”
This is the definitive announcement of the impending death of Saul and his heirs.
Chapter Summary
In 1 Samuel 28, the Philistines assemble their armies for a major conflict against Israel. King Saul is terrified by the size of the enemy force and seeks guidance from the Lord, but receives no answer through dreams, the Urim, or prophets. In his desperation, Saul ignores his own previous decree against mediums and travels in disguise to En-dor to consult a woman with a familiar spirit. He asks her to summon the deceased prophet Samuel. When Samuel appears, he rebukes Saul for his disobedience regarding the Amalekites and confirms that the Lord has departed from him. Samuel prophesies that the kingdom has been given to David and that Saul and his sons will be killed in battle the following day. Overwhelmed with terror and physical weakness, Saul collapses. The medium and his servants eventually convince him to eat a final meal before he departs to face the Philistines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Saul was terrified of the Philistine army and found that God had stopped answering his inquiries through traditional means like dreams or prophets. Despite having previously banned mediums, he sought one out in a desperate attempt to contact the deceased Samuel for advice.
Samuel appeared and asked Saul why he had disturbed him. He told Saul that the Lord had become his adversary because he did not obey the command to destroy Amalek. Samuel then predicted that Saul, his sons, and the entire Israelite army would fall to the Philistines the next day.
Saul was filled with terror and fell flat on the ground. He had no strength because he was fearful and had not eaten for a full day and night. It was only after being urged by the medium and his servants that he finally ate enough to travel away.
Study Note
The Urim mentioned in verse 6 was one of the sacred lots kept in the High Priest’s breastplate used to determine God's will in times of national crisis.
Related Chapters
1 Samuel 15
Explains the specific act of disobedience regarding the Amalekites mentioned by Samuel in chapter 28.
1 Samuel 31
Documents the fulfillment of Samuel's prophecy as Saul and his sons die on Mount Gilboa.
1 Chronicles 10
Provides the Chronicler's perspective on Saul's death, explicitly citing his consultation with the medium as a reason for his end.
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