1
At that time the Philistines gathered their forces for war against Israel. Then Achish said to David, “Know for certain that you and your men must go out with me in the army.”
2
David answered Achish, “Very well; you shall know what your servant can do.” Then Achish said to David, “Therefore I will appoint you as my own bodyguard forever.”
3
Now Samuel was dead. All Israel had mourned for him and had buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had removed from the land those who called up the dead and the spirit-mediums.
4
The Philistines gathered together and moved forward, and camped near Shunem. Saul gathered all Israel, and they camped at Gilboa.
5
When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
6
And Saul inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by the prophets.
7
Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who can call up the dead, so that I may go to her and ask her.” His servants answered him, “There is a woman at En-dor who can call up the dead.”
8
Then Saul disguised himself; he put on other clothes and went with two men. When they came to the woman by night, Saul said, “Please divine for me by a spirit, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you.”
9
But the woman answered him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off from the land those who call up the dead and the spirit-mediums. Why then are you laying a snare for my life, to cause me to die?”
10
Then Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, “As the LORD lives, no guilt shall come upon you for this matter.”
11
Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He answered, “Bring up Samuel for me.”
12
When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”
13
Then the king said to her, “Do not be afraid; but what do you see?” The woman answered Saul, “I see a divine being coming up out of the earth.”
14
Then he asked her, “What is his appearance?” She answered, “An old man is coming up, wrapped in a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.
15
After that Samuel spoke to Saul: “Why have you troubled me by bringing me up?” Saul said, “I am in great distress: the Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I should do.”
16
Then Samuel said: “Why do you ask me, since the LORD has turned away from you and has become your enemy?
17
The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me: the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and has given it to another, to David.
18
Because you did not listen to the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you today.
19
Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The army of Israel also will the LORD give into the hand of the Philistines.”
20
At once Saul fell full length on the ground, for he was greatly afraid because of Samuel’s words. Also there was no strength left in him, because he had eaten nothing all that day and night.
21
The woman came near to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken. Then the woman said to him, “Look, your servant has listened to your request; I have risked my life and listened to the words you spoke to me.
22
Therefore, please listen also to the request of your servant. Let me set before you a piece of bread; eat, so that you may have strength when you go on your way.”
23
But Saul refused and said, “I will not eat.” Yet when his servants and the woman also urged him, he listened to them, rose from the ground, and sat on the couch.
24
The woman had a fattened calf in her house, so she quickly slaughtered it. She took flour, kneaded it, and baked it into unleavened bread.
25
She set it all before Saul and before his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that same night.
🕯️👻⚠️ Summary of 1 Samuel 28 – Saul Seeks a Spirit, Not God
1 Samuel 28 records one of the darkest moments in King Saul’s life: when the LORD no longer answered him, he turned to the medium at En-Dor. In desperation and fear before battle, Saul broke God’s law and sought guidance from the spirit of Samuel who had died. In this chapter we see the tragic consequences of a heart that turns away from God, and a serious warning against occult practices.
📌 1. Saul Was Afraid Because God Was Silent (verses 1–6)
➡️ The Philistines gathered a great army to attack Israel
➡️ Saul was very afraid and tried to seek guidance from the LORD through dreams, Urim, or prophets—but the LORD did not answer
➡️ In desperation, Saul chose a forbidden path
🎯 When the heart is not right, even seeking the LORD will bring no answer—because the relationship has been broken.
📌 2. Saul Asked a Medium to Summon Samuel (verses 7–14)
➡️ Saul disguised himself and came by night to a woman who was a medium at En-dor
➡️ He asked her to summon Samuel’s spirit
➡️ The woman was startled when she saw a “divine being” rise up
➡️ Saul believed that the spirit was Samuel, and fell down
🎯 When a person seeks answers from dark sources, he opens himself to deception and curse.
📌 3. The “Samuel” Message to Saul: God’s Judgment (verses 15–19)
➡️ The spirit confirmed: the LORD has left Saul and given the kingdom to David
➡️ Saul did not listen to the LORD, therefore the LORD did not listen to him
➡️ “Tomorrow you and your sons will die in battle.”
🎯 Whoever rejects the word of the LORD will one day be rejected by Him.
📌 4. Saul Was Weak and Helpless (verses 20–25)
➡️ Saul fell to the ground, afraid and weak because he had not eaten
➡️ The woman and her servant gave him food—bread and a calf
➡️ After that, Saul rose and went away
🎯 Without the LORD, spiritual strength collapses. Even a king means nothing without a relationship with the Source of Life.
📖 Main Teaching
- If the heart is continually hardened, one day the LORD will be silent
- Seeking guidance from dark sources is a grave offense in the LORD’s sight
- There is no shortcut to hearing the voice of the LORD without repentance
- The Lord may leave a stubborn person, even though they were once used
- A tragic end always begins with a wrong choice of the heart
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“…sorcery, enmity, strife… those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
➡️ Saul broke God’s command by relying on a medium—grave sin.
“Ask God for wisdom… but ask in faith.”
➡️ Saul lost faith and turned to worldly and dark ways.
“…the time will come when people will follow deceiving spirits and teachings of demons.”
➡️ Saul is a clear example of one who went astray by rejecting the truth.
“For if we go on sinning deliberately… what remains is only a fearful judgment.”
➡️ Saul knew that consulting a medium was forbidden, yet he still sought one—and received the consequences.
🕊️ “The Lord did not answer me, either by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets.” – 1 Samuel 28:6
🕊️ “Because you did not listen to the voice of the LORD… the LORD has given the kingdom to David.” – 1 Samuel 28:17
🕊️ “Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.” – 1 Samuel 28:19
🕊️ “Saul was very afraid… and had no strength left.” – 1 Samuel 28:20
