1 Samuel 28:16-17
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to overlook that Samuel's sharp retort isn't just a scolding; it's a divine diagnosis of Saul's relationship with God. The critical point is that God has turned from Saul, signaling a broken covenant that no supernatural consultation can repair. This isn't about a lack of information, but a fundamental breach of trust and obedience.
And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Saul is desperate because the Philistines are about to attack and God is no longer answering his prayers. Having driven out mediums and sorcerers earlier, he's now secretly seeking out a medium to call up the prophet Samuel's spirit for guidance, only to be rebuked by Samuel himself. Samuel's appearance confirms Saul's worst fears: God has abandoned him and judgment is imminent.
King Saul was desperate. His enemies were closing in, and he had no answer from God. So, he turned to a forbidden source. But the real tragedy wasn't the witch; it was why God had gone silent.
The Lord's Absence
Saul's situation in 1 Samuel 28 is dire. He's facing the Philistines in battle and can't get any guidance from God. The text explicitly states that 'Saul inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets' (1 Samuel 28:6). This isn't a temporary silence; it's a profound withdrawal.
Why the Silence?
The spirit of Samuel, conjured by the medium of Endor, lays bare the reason: 'the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy.' This is a stark declaration. It means Saul's actions, particularly his repeated defiance and failure to carry out God's commands (like utterly destroying the Amalekites), have pushed God to the point where He is no longer a source of help but an opposing force.
This isn't about God arbitrarily changing His mind. It's about the inescapable reality that persistent sin and rebellion create a chasm between us and a holy God. When we consistently disregard His will, we move ourselves out of fellowship with Him, and His silence becomes a judgment.
When you can't hear from God, where do you turn? Saul's final, disastrous act wasn't just seeking forbidden magic; it was a symptom of a much deeper spiritual crisis.
Seeking Answers from the Wrong Places
Ask a follow-up
Saul’s desperation leads him to one of the most forbidden acts in the Old Testament: consulting a medium, a witch. This was explicitly outlawed by God, punishable by death (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
The Illusion of Control
Facing overwhelming odds and cut off from divine counsel, Saul attempts to seize control by seeking information through illicit means. He wants an answer, any answer, to his military predicament. The medium's ability to summon Samuel—or at least a powerful, deceptive spiritual manifestation—provides a false sense of hope and control.
However, the 'Samuel' that appears reveals the terrible truth: God has abandoned Saul. The consultation itself is proof of Saul's profound spiritual bankruptcy, not a solution. It highlights the dangerous tendency to seek answers and comfort outside of God's revealed will when we feel abandoned.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
A term used for the God of Israel, indicating His covenant name, His self-existence, and His active role as the redeemer of His people. It signifies the One who is holy, personal, and supreme in authority.
oyeb · Hebrew Noun
An adversary or opponent. In a biblical context, it refers to one who opposes God or His people, though here it specifically refers to God's divine judgment against Saul’s persistent disobedience.
mamlakah · Hebrew Noun
A political and spiritual institution in Israel under God's sovereignty. It signifies the realm over which God rules, often entrusted to a human leader who is expected to act as God's vice-regent.
This passage reveals the devastating consequence of Saul's prolonged disobedience: he is so estranged from God that even the spirit of the revered prophet Samuel, whom he summons from the dead, confirms that divine help has been withdrawn.
c. 1013 BC
Saul Anointed King
The prophet Samuel anoints Saul as the first king of Israel, a new form of government for the united tribes.
c. 1005 BC
Saul Disobeys Samuel
Saul rashly offers a burnt offering himself, and later disobeys God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites and their possessions.
c. 1005 BC
God Rejects Saul as King
Because of Saul's repeated disobedience, the LORD declares that his kingdom will not continue and seeks out another king.
c. 1000 BC
David Anointed King
While Saul is still king, Samuel secretly anoints David, the young shepherd from Bethlehem, as the future king of Israel.
c. 990-980 BC
Saul Hunts David
Saul becomes increasingly paranoid and insecure, spending years relentlessly pursuing David and his followers across the wilderness.
c. 980 BC
Philistines Muster for Battle
The mighty Philistine army gathers its forces for a decisive battle against Israel, pushing Saul's army to the brink.
c. 980 BC— this verse
Saul Consults the Witch of Endor
In despair and cut off from divine guidance, Saul seeks out a medium to conjure the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel.
This verse echoes the sentiment of 1 Samuel 28:16 by showing that Saul's disobedience led to God's rejection, which was a direct consequence of his actions.
1 Samuel 16:1This passage demonstrates God's clear separation from Saul after his continued disobedience, reinforcing the idea that God had 'turned from him'.
Proverbs 1:28-29This proverb highlights the principle that when people reject God's wisdom and guidance, He will eventually turn away from them, a concept directly illustrated in Saul's situation.
Ezekiel 14:3This prophetic passage uses similar language to describe God turning away from people who set up idols in their hearts, showing a recurring theme of divine withdrawal in response to unfaithfulness.
It's easy to overlook that Samuel's sharp retort isn't just a scolding; it's a divine diagnosis of Saul's relationship with God. The critical point is that God has turned from Saul, signaling a broken covenant that no supernatural consultation can repair. This isn't about a lack of information, but a fundamental breach of trust and obedience.
King Saul is desperate because the Philistines are about to attack and God is no longer answering his prayers. Having driven out mediums and sorcerers earlier, he's now secretly seeking out a medium to call up the prophet Samuel's spirit for guidance, only to be rebuked by Samuel himself. Samuel's appearance confirms Saul's worst fears: God has abandoned him and judgment is imminent.
King Saul is desperate because the Philistines are about to attack and God is no longer answering his prayers. Having driven out mediums and sorcerers earlier, he's now secretly seeking out a medium to call up the prophet Samuel's spirit for guidance, only to be rebuked by Samuel himself. Samuel's appearance confirms Saul's worst fears: God has abandoned him and judgment is imminent.
"And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David." — It's easy to overlook that Samuel's sharp retort isn't just a scolding; it's a divine diagnosis of Saul's relationship with God. The critical point is that God has turned from Saul, signaling a b…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
