1 Samuel 28 - Summary

Historical setting

This event belongs to Saul's later reign, before his death in battle. The Philistines, the major coastal power in Canaan, are gathering their army in the northern Shunem valley to fight Israel. Saul, king of Israel, has retreated to the nearby Gilboa region with his forces. Samuel, the prophet who appointed Saul and long served as Israel's mediator with God, has died and been buried in Ramah. Achish, king of Gath, a Philistine city, has taken David into his service and made him his trusted bodyguard; David has actually been fleeing Saul's court for years and has sought refuge with the Philistines. Saul now faces a military crisis with his most dangerous rival in the enemy camp.

Life and customs

In ancient Israel, the LORD was understood to communicate with the king and people through established channels: dreams sent by God, the Urim (priestly lots used to inquire of God's will), and prophets as God's spokesmen. When the LORD did not answer through these means, it was a sign of divine displeasure. Mediums and wizards, who claimed to consult with the dead or divine spirits, were seen as competitors to this divinely sanctioned system. Saul's earlier decision to expel these practitioners from his kingdom was a reform meant to prevent consultation with spiritual powers outside the LORD's control. Seeking out a medium was therefore not merely a superstitious act but a transgression against the religious order Saul himself had established. The woman at En-dor risked execution for practicing her craft. Hospitality and the provision of food, shown in verses 21-25, was a fundamental social obligation, and the woman's care for the weakened Saul reflects this custom despite the danger she has just faced.

What the text says

Verse 1 opens with the Philistines massing for war and Achish assuring David he will march to battle with him. Verses 2 shows David pledging his loyalty. Samuel is now dead and mourned by Israel, buried in his hometown (verse 3). Saul has expelled mediums and wizards from the land. When Saul sees the Philistine army at Shunem and gathers Israel at Gilboa (verses 4-5), his fear is immediate and severe. He inquires of the LORD, but receives no answer by the three legitimate means (verse 6). Desperate, Saul asks his servants to find a medium (verse 7); they direct him to a woman at En-dor. Disguised and accompanied by two men, Saul goes to her at night (verse 8) and asks her to divine and bring up someone he will name (verse 8). The woman refuses, knowing Saul has outlawed her practice and suspects a trap (verse 9). Saul swears an oath that she will not be punished (verse 10). He then asks her to bring up Samuel (verse 11). When she sees the figure, she cries out, recognizing Saul (verses 12). She describes seeing gods or divine beings rising from the earth and an old man in a robe (verses 13-14), which Saul recognizes as Samuel. Samuel asks why Saul has disturbed him (verse 15). Saul explains his distress and God's silence, and asks what he should do (verse 15). Samuel replies that the LORD has departed from Saul and become his enemy (verse 16). He reminds Saul that the LORD has torn the kingdom from him and given it to David (verse 17) because Saul disobeyed the LORD regarding Amalek (verse 18). Samuel declares the LORD will deliver Israel to the Philistines, and tomorrow Saul and his sons will be dead, joining Samuel (verse 19). Saul collapses in terror and has eaten nothing all day and night (verse 20). The woman then urges Saul to eat, reminding him of her obedience and the risk she took (verses 21-22). After he refuses, his servants and the woman compel him to eat (verse 23). She kills her calf, bakes unleavened bread, and serves it to Saul and his servants (verses 24-25). They eat, then rise and depart into the night (verse 25).

Takeaways

• Saul's disobedience in one command leaves him without legitimate access to God's guidance when he needs it most, forcing him to break his own law in desperation.
• The woman at En-dor shows courage and compassion by helping a man she has identified as her persecutor, at great personal risk.
• Samuel's message confirms what the reader already knows: David's rise and Saul's fall have been determined by God as judgment for Saul's earlier failure.