Teks -- 1 Samuel 28:1-6 (NET)

The Witch of Endor

28:1 In those days the Philistines gathered their troops for war in order to fight Israel. Achish said to David, “You should fully understand that you and your men must go with me into the battle.” 28:2 David replied to Achish, “That being the case, you will come to know what your servant can do!” Achish said to David, “Then I will make you my bodyguard from now on.” 28:3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented over him and had buried him in Ramah, his hometown. In the meantime Saul had removed the mediums and magicians from the land. 28:4 The Philistines assembled; they came and camped at Shunem. Saul mustered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. 28:5 When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was absolutely terrified. 28:6 So Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him– not by dreams nor by Urim nor by the prophets.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 1Sa 28:2 - Can do

He speaks ambiguously, as he did before.

Wesley: 1Sa 28:5 - He trembled

Had he kept close to God, he needed not fear all the armies of the Philistines.

JFB: 1Sa 28:1 - The Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel

The death of Samuel, the general dissatisfaction with Saul, and the absence of David, instigated the cupidity of those restless enemies of Israel.

JFB: 1Sa 28:1 - Achish said to David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle

This was evidently to try him. Achish, however, seems to have thought he had gained the confidence of David and had a claim on his services.

JFB: 1Sa 28:2 - Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do

This answer, while it seemed to express an apparent cheerfulness in agreeing to the proposal, contained a studied ambiguity--a wary and politic generality.

JFB: 1Sa 28:2 - Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever

Or, "my life"; that is, "captain of my bodyguard," an office of great trust and high honor.

JFB: 1Sa 28:3 - Now Samuel is dead, &c.

This event is here alluded to as affording an explanation of the secret and improper methods by which Saul sought information and direction in the present crisis of his affairs. Overwhelmed in perplexity and fear, he yet found the common and legitimate channels of communication with Heaven shut against him. And so, under the impulse of that dark, distempered, superstitious spirit which had overmastered him, he resolved, in desperation, to seek the aid of one of those fortune telling impostors whom, in accordance with the divine command (Lev 19:31; Lev 20:6, Lev 20:27; Deu 18:11), he had set himself formerly to exterminate from his kingdom.

JFB: 1Sa 28:4 - the Philistines . . . pitched in Shunem

Having collected their forces for a last grand effort, they marched up from the seacoast and encamped in the "valley of Jezreel." The spot on which their encampment was fixed was Shunem (Jos 19:18), now Sulem, a village which still exists on the slope of a range called "Little Hermon." On the opposite side, on the rise of Mount Gilboa, hard by "the spring of Jezreel," was Saul's army--the Israelites, according to their wont, keeping to the heights, while their enemies clung to the plain.

Clarke: 1Sa 28:1 - The Philistines gathered their armies together

The Philistines gathered their armies together - Sir Isaac Newton conjectures that the Philistines had got a great increase to their armies by vast numbers of men which Amasis had driven out of Egypt. This, with Samuel’ s death, and David’ s disgrace, were no inconsiderable motives to a new war, front which the Philistines had now every thing to hope

Clarke: 1Sa 28:1 - Thou shalt go out with me to battle

Thou shalt go out with me to battle - This he said, being deceived by what David had told him.

Clarke: 1Sa 28:2 - Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do

Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do - This was another equivocal answer; and could only be understood by his succeeding conduct. It might imply what he could do in favor of the Philistines against Israel; or in favor of Israel against the Philistines. Achish understood it in the former sense; and therefore he said to David, I will make thee keeper of my head for ever; i.e., Thou shalt be captain of my life-guards.

Clarke: 1Sa 28:3 - Samuel was dead

Samuel was dead - And there was no longer a public accredited prophet to consult

Clarke: 1Sa 28:3 - Those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards

Those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards - See the note on Lev 19:31, and Exo 22:18.

Clarke: 1Sa 28:5 - When Saul saw

When Saul saw - He saw from the superiority of his enemies, from the state of his army, and especially from his own state towards God, that he had every thing to fear.

Clarke: 1Sa 28:6 - The Lord answered him not

The Lord answered him not - He used the three methods by which supernatural intelligence was ordinarily given: -

1.    Dreams. - The person prayed for instruction; and begged that God would answer by a significant dream

2.    Urim. - This was a kind of oracular answer given to the high priest when clothed with the ephod, on which were the Urim and Thummim. How these communicated the answer, is not well known

3.    Prophets. - Who were requested by the party concerned to consult the Lord on the subject in question, and to report his answer. The prophets at that time could only be those in the schools of the prophets, which Samuel had established at Naioth and Gibeah. These were the only successors of Samuel that we know of.

TSK: 1Sa 28:1 - that the // Philistines // thou shalt go

that the : 1Sa 7:7, 1Sa 13:5, 1Sa 17:1, 1Sa 29:1

Philistines : Jdg 3:1-4

thou shalt go : 1Sa 27:12, 1Sa 29:2, 1Sa 29:3

TSK: 1Sa 28:2 - Surely

Surely : 1Sa 27:10; 2Sa 16:16-19; Rom 12:9

TSK: 1Sa 28:3 - Samuel // put away

Samuel : 1Sa 25:1; Isa 57:1, Isa 57:2

put away : 1Sa 28:9; Exo 22:18; Lev 19:31, Lev 20:6, Lev 20:27; Deu 18:10, Deu 18:11; Act 16:16-19

TSK: 1Sa 28:4 - Shunem // Gilboa

Shunem : Jos 19:18; 2Ki 4:8

Gilboa : 1Sa 31:1; 2Sa 1:6, 2Sa 1:21, 2Sa 21:12

TSK: 1Sa 28:5 - he was afraid

he was afraid : Job 15:21, Job 18:11; Psa 48:5, Psa 48:6, Psa 73:19; Pro 10:24; Isa 7:2, Isa 21:3, Isa 21:4; Isa 57:20, Isa 57:21; Dan 5:6

TSK: 1Sa 28:6 - inquired // by dreams // by Urim // by prophets

inquired : 1Sa 14:37; 1Ch 10:14; Pro 1:27, Pro 1:28; Lam 2:9; Eze 20:1-3; Joh 9:31; Jam 4:3

by dreams : Gen 28:12-15, Gen 46:2-4; Num 12:6; Job 33:14-16; Jer 23:28; Mat 1:20

by Urim : Exo 28:20; Num 27:21; Deu 33:8

by prophets : Psa 74:9; Lam 2:9; Eze 20:3

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 1Sa 28:1 - Thou shalt go out with me to battle

Thou shalt go out with me to battle: this he saith, partly to try his sincerity; and partly in confidence of David’ s fidelity.

Poole: 1Sa 28:2 - David // Therefore // Of mine head

David speaks ambitiously, as he did before, that Achish might understand him, as he did, of his acting for him against the Israelites; whereas he meant it of his acting for the Israelites against the Philistines, to which he was obliged both by God’ s express command, and by his indelible and manifold obligations to God, and to God’ s people, and by his own manifest interest. Though it is likely he would have managed his affairs with all possible regard and care of Achish’ s person, to whom alone, upon the matter, David stood obliged, and not to the rest of the Philistines, who had an ill opinion of him, as we shall see.

Therefore for that valour which I doubt not thou wilt show on my behalf.

Of mine head i.e. of my body and life, the captain of my life-guard.

Poole: 1Sa 28:3 - Samuel was dead // In his own city // Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards // Out of the land

Samuel was dead: this is mentioned here as the reason why Saul did not inquire of Samuel; which, if he had now been alive, he would have done.

In his own city where he had his birth and education, and most settled habitation, 1Sa 19:18 .

Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards according to God’ s command, Lev 19:31 20:6,27 De 18:11 . This he did, either by Samuel’ s instigation; or from a conceit that the evil spirit came upon him by some of their means; or that he might gain the repute of a religious prince, which was very useful to him; or that he might quiet his troubled conscience, and please God as far as his interest would give him leave. And this is here related, partly to show that a hypocrite and wicked man may obey some of God’ s commands, and principally to bring in the following history.

Out of the land of Israel.

Poole: 1Sa 28:4 - Shunem // Gilboa

Shunem a town in the tribe of Issachar, Jos 19:18 .

Gilboa a mountain not far from the valley of Jezreel, where the battle was fought, 1Sa 31:1 2Sa 1:21 . So the two armies seem to be placed in the same manner as they were 1Sa 17 , each upon a hill, and a valley between them.

Poole: 1Sa 28:5 - Saul saw the host from Mount Gilboa // His heart greatly trembled

Saul saw the host from Mount Gilboa 1Sa 31:1 .

His heart greatly trembled partly, from the greatness and resoluteness of the host of the Philistines, who were the aggressors; partly, from the loss of David, who might have been of great use to him at this time; partly, from the conscience of his own manifest guilt, and just expectation of Divine vengeance oft threatened, and now in all likelihood to be inflicted upon him.

Poole: 1Sa 28:6 - Saul inquired of the Lord // not // inquired of the Lord // The Lord answered him not // Neither by dreams // nor by Urim, nor by prophets

Saul inquired of the Lord in his slight and perfunctory way, as 1Sa 14:19 , as appears from hence, that when God did not speedily answer him, he goes to the devil for an answer, 1Sa 28:7 ; for which reason he is said,

not to have

inquired of the Lord 1Ch 10:14 , i.e. not seriously, and after the right order. Possibly he inquired by some prophet then with him, or by the priest before the ark.

The Lord answered him not because he sought him not in due order; not by the Urim and Thummim which were in the ephod, which he by his cruelty to the priests had lost, 1Sa 23:6 ; and because he did not truly repent of nor put away his sins, which provoked God, and kept him from answering, as Saul well knew by his own conscience and experience, 1Sa 14:37-39 .

Neither by dreams

nor by Urim, nor by prophets i.e. neither by ordinary means, nor extraordinary.

Haydock: 1Sa 28:1 - Woman // Saul

Woman. The Rabbins pretend that she was Abner's mother, (Calmet) which is extremely improbable, as he was of the tribe of Benjamin, and a man of such renown. (Salien) ---

Theodoret follows their opinion, in supposing that the woman was startled, because Samuel appeared in a standing posture, and not with his feet upwards, or lying down on his back, as in a coffin, which they say (Calmet) is the usual manner of spirits appearing to people of her character. (Bellarmine, Purgat. ii. 6.) ---

She cried out, because he appeared before she had begun her incantations, and was arrayed like a priest, according to Josephus, (Haydock) in great majesty, or she pretended to see him, the better to impose upon the king; for some think that all was a delusion. (Calmet) ---

Saul. This she learnt either from Samuel, (Josephus) or from her familiar spirit. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Sa 28:1 - Israel

Israel. God made use of the ill-will of the Philistines to punish Saul, and to make way for David to the throne. (Salien) ---

Each of the five lords brought their armies into the field, where they were united. Achis, placing the greatest confidence in David, requires his attendance. (Calmet)

Haydock: 1Sa 28:2 - Do // Guard

Do; or "can do." Thou wilt be convinced of my valour and fidelity. (Haydock) ---

But could David lawfully fight against his brethren? or could he desert Achis in the heat of the engagement? His answer is ambiguous. (Calmet) ---

He prudently committed his cause into the hands of Providence, resolved to do nothing contrary to his duty, and to abide by God's decision, in this critical juncture, so that Cajetan blames him unjustly. (Salien; Menochius; Tirinus) ---

Guard. Septuagint, "captain of my body guard."

Haydock: 1Sa 28:3 - Samuel // Land

Samuel. His death is here recorded, as well as the abolition of magic, to explain what follows, when Saul, not being able to obtain an answer from God, as his prophet had been withdrawn in anger, had recourse to the devil. (Haydock) ---

Land, while he reigned virtuously, (Menochius) according to the law, Leviticus xix 31., and Deuteronomy xviii. 11.

Haydock: 1Sa 28:4 - Gelboe

Gelboe. So that he occupied the parts south of the vale of Jezrahel, while the Philistines were encamped on the north, in the tribe of Issachar. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Sa 28:5 - Dismayed

Dismayed. It was so numerous, while his own conscience upbraided him with being at enmity with God, who increased his fears. (Salien)

Haydock: 1Sa 28:6 - Dreams // Priests

Dreams. During which God often revealed his will. See Deuteronomy xiii. 3. ---

Priests. Hebrew, "nor by Urim." It seems Saul had appointed some priests, and had fabricated a fresh ephod, with the Urim, &c., after the departure of Abiathar. (Calmet) ---

But Salien calls this in question, and there might neither be priests nor prophets for Saul to consult. (Haydock) ---

God despised a man, who had slain so many of his sacred ministers. (Menochius)

Gill: 1Sa 28:1 - 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 shall go with me to battle, thou and thy men

And it came to pass in those days,.... That David was in the country of the Philistines:

that the Philistines gathered their armies together: out of their five principalities or lordships:

for warfare to fight with Israel; with whom they were continually at war, and though sometimes there was a cessation of arms, yet never any settled peace; and the Philistines took every opportunity and advantage against them, as they now did; when David was among them, and so had nothing to fear from him, but rather expected his assistance; and Samuel was dead, and Saul in a frenzy:

and Achish said unto David: who seems to have been at the head of the combined armies of the Philistines:

know thou assuredly that thou shall go with me to battle, thou and thy men; against Israel; which was a trying thing to David, and whereby he was like to be drawn into a dilemma; either to fight against his country, which he could not do conscientiously; or be guilty of ingratitude to Achish, and incur his displeasure, and be liable to be turned out of his country, or treated in a worse manner, even he and his men, to be seized on and cut to pieces by the forces of the Philistines, should he refuse.

Gill: 1Sa 28:2 - 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

And David said to Achish, surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do,.... By which he would have Achish understand, and so he did, that he would exert himself in favour of the Philistines, and against Israel, and do great and brave things, of which Achish would be, made sensible, through his heroic courage and valour; though he meant rather what he could and should do for Israel against the Philistines, if he had an opportunity: but it seems best of all to consider David as quite undetermined, and at a loss what to do, hoping that God in his providence would extricate him out of this difficulty, and direct him what he should do, which then Achish would know; and accordingly he was delivered out of it:

and Achish said to David: putting confidence in him on account of his answer, and believing he was hearty in engaging in the war with the Philistines against Israel:

therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever; the captain of his bodyguard, which post he should hold for life; or he proposed to put him into this post, that he might be with him, near his person, and under his eye, that he might observe how he behaved himself; which may show some suspicion of him.

Gill: 1Sa 28:3 - Now Samuel was dead // and all Israel lamented him // and Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards // out of the land

Now Samuel was dead,.... Had been so for some time; which is mentioned before, 1Sa 25:1; and here repeated, partly to observe the reason of the Philistines renewing the war, and partly to account for the conduct of Saul, in seeking to a witch to raise Samuel, and for the sake of that story:

and all Israel lamented him; as they had great reason to do; See Gill on 1Sa 25:1; and buried him in Ramah, even his own city; there being two Ramahs, as Kimchi observes, it is added, "in his own city", to show that he was buried in that Ramah which was his native place, and where his constant residence was; though, as he says, it may mean that he was buried within the city, and not without it; but the Targum gives a different sense,"and they buried him in Ramah, and mourned for him every man in his city:"

and Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards,

out of the land: out of the land of Israel; had by an edict banished them, or had given orders that neither witches nor wizards should abide in the land; but should be taken up, and prosecuted according to the law of God; which he had done either at the instigation of Samuel; or, as some think, from a conceit that the evil spirit he had been troubled with was owing to them; or to make some appearance of a zeal for religion, and the honour and glory of God: this is observed to show the inconstancy of Saul, and his folly in applying after this to a person of such a character, and to account for the fears of the woman when applied to, and afterwards when she was engaged, when she found it was by Saul; see 1Sa 28:7.

Gill: 1Sa 28:4 - And the Philistines gathered themselves together // and came and pitched in Shunem // and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa

And the Philistines gathered themselves together,.... From different parts, and formed a considerable army:

and came and pitched in Shunem; a city, in the borders of the tribe of Issachar, of which See Gill on Jos 19:18,

and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa; a range of mountains, near Jezreel, and which Jerom ^b calls the mountains of the Philistines, six miles from Scythopolis, where there is a large village called Gelbus.

Gill: 1Sa 28:5 - And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines // he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled

And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines,.... From the mountains of Gilboa, where he had pitched his camp:

he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled; on sight of the numbers of them, and thinking perhaps of the death of Samuel, and of the loss of David; who was now among the Philistines, and might possibly fight against him, and for the Philistines, of which he might be informed; however, he was not with him, and his conscience might accuse him of various sins he had been guilty of, for which he might fear the Lord would now reckon with him.

Gill: 1Sa 28:6 - And when Saul inquired of the Lord // the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams // nor by Urim // nor by prophets

And when Saul inquired of the Lord,.... And this being not done truly and heartily, nor continued in, it was as if he had not inquired, and especially after he had inquired of one that had a familiar spirit, as Kimchi observes; for so it is said, 1Ch 10:14,

the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams; which he dreamed himself, from whence he could not conclude anything relating to the will of God; so the Targum,"the Lord did not receive his prayer even by dreams;''or by dreamers, diviners, who pretended to give answers by dreams:

nor by Urim; there being no priest to consult in this way, Abiathar having fled with the ephod, in which were the Urim and Thummim, to David, 1Sa 23:9; though some think that he sent to Abiathar, who was with David, to inquire for him; and others that he made another ephod with Urim, and appointed another priest to consult by them; neither of which are probable:

nor by prophets; of which there was a school not far from him, even at Naioth in Ramah, of which Samuel in his lifetime was president; but neither by the one nor the other could Saul get an answer from God, who for his sins had departed from him.