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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 28:13 "Do not be afraid," the king replied. "What do you see?" "I see a god coming up out of the earth," the woman answered.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/28-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/09_1Sa_28_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 28:13 - Saul and the Medium of Endor" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not be afraid, the king replied. What do you see? 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What do you see?&#8221 The woman said, &#8220I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/28.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Don’t be afraid!” the king told her. “What do you see?” “I see a god coming up out of the earth,” she said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/28.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/28.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not be afraid,” the king replied. “What do you see?” “I see a god coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/28.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/28.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What did you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the king said to her, “Do not be afraid; but what do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up from the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/28.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The king said to her, &#8220Do not be afraid; but what do you see?&#8221 And the woman said to Saul, &#8220I see a divine being coming up out of the earth.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid; but what do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up out of the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid; but what do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up out of the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The king said to her, “Do not be afraid; but [tell me] what do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a divine [superhuman] being coming up from the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see? ” “I see a spirit form coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the king said to her, &#8220Don&#8217t be afraid. What do you see?&#8221 &#8220I see a spirit form coming up out of the earth,&#8221 the woman answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/28.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what seest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/28.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Don't be afraid," Saul replied. "Just tell me what you see." She answered, "I see a spirit rising up out of the ground." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/28.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what seest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Don't be afraid," the king said to her. "What do you see?" "I see a god rising from the ground," the woman answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/28.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Don't be afraid!" the king said to her. "What do you see?" "I see a spirit coming up from the earth," she answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/28.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The king told her, "Don't be afraid; but what do you see?" The woman told Saul, "I see a divine being coming up out of the ground."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Do not be afraid,? the king replied. ?What do you see?? ?I see a god coming up out of the earth,? the woman answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/28.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The king said to her, "Don't be afraid! What have you seen?" The woman replied to Saul, "I have seen one like a god coming up from the ground!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The king said to her, "Do not be afraid. For what do you see?" The woman said to Saul, "I see a god coming up out of the earth."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the king said to her be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said to Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/28.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid! What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/28.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king says to her, “Do not fear; for what have you seen?” And the woman says to Saul, “I have seen gods coming up out of the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/28.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the king saith to her, 'Do not fear; for what hast thou seen?' and the woman saith unto Saul, 'Gods I have seen coming up out of the earth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/28.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the king will say to her, Thou shalt not fear: What sawest thou? And the woman will say to Saul, I saw gods coming up out of the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/28.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the king said to her: Fear not: what hast thou seen? And the woman said to Saul: I saw gods ascending out of the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/28.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the king said to her: “Do not be afraid. What have you seen?” And the woman said to Saul, “I saw gods ascending from the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/28.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But the king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” “I see a god rising from the earth,” she replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The king said to her, “Have no fear; what do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up out of the ground.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the king said to her, Fear not; what do you see? And the woman said to Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/28.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the King said to her: “Do not be afraid! What have you seen?” And the woman said to Shaul: “I have seen gods coming up from the Earth!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/28.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the king said unto her: 'Be not afraid; for what seest thou?' And the woman said unto Saul: 'I see a godlike being coming up out of the earth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/28.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the king said to her, Fear not; tell me whom thou has seen. And the woman said to him, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/28-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=8367" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/28.htm">Saul and the Medium of Endor</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>But when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in a loud voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">“Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: tî·rə·’î (V-Qal-Imperf-2fs) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">be afraid,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied.</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’îṯ (V-Qal-Perf-2fs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">do you see?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’î·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">“I see</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">a god</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ō·lîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">coming up</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">out of</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the earth,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">answered.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>“What does he look like?” asked Saul. “An old man is coming up,” she replied. “And he is wearing a robe.” So Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed facedown in reverence.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a></span><br />Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a></span><br />You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19</a></span><br />When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/10-13.htm">1 Chronicles 10:13-14</a></span><br />So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, / and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">2 Kings 21:6</a></span><br />He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16-18</a></span><br />One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a></span><br />But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm">2 Chronicles 33:6</a></span><br />He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Isaiah 19:3</a></span><br />Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/14-26.htm">Matthew 14:26</a></span><br />When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-49.htm">Mark 6:49-50</a></span><br />but when they saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out, thinking He was a ghost— / for they all saw Him and were terrified. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-37.htm">Luke 24:37</a></span><br />But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Acts 8:9-11</a></span><br />Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a></span><br />No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the king said to her, Be not afraid: for what saw you? And the woman said to Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.</p><p class="hdg">gods ascending</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-16.htm">Exodus 4:16</a></b></br> And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, <i>even</i> he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28</a></b></br> Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/82-6.htm">Psalm 82:6,7</a></b></br> I have said, Ye <i>are</i> gods; and all of you <i>are</i> children of the most High… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/28-5.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Ascending</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-9.htm">Divine</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-20.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-12.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-5.htm">Sawest</a> <a href="/judges/9-36.htm">Seest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-9.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/28-20.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-20.htm">Ascending</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">Divine</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-14.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-14.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-11.htm">Sawest</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-27.htm">Seest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-12.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 28</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/28-1.htm">Achish puts confidence in David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">Saul having destroyed the witches</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/28-4.htm">and now in his fear forsaken of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm">has recourse to a witch</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/28-8.htm">who, encouraged by Saul, raises up Samuel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/28-15.htm">Saul hearing his ruin, faints</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/28-21.htm">The woman and his servants refresh him with meat</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/28.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/28.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“Do not be afraid,” the king replied.</b><br>In this passage, the king is Saul, who has sought the counsel of a medium at Endor. Saul's reassurance to the woman reflects his desperation and fear, as he has been rejected by God and is seeking guidance through forbidden means. The phrase "Do not be afraid" is often used in Scripture to calm those who are encountering the divine or supernatural (e.g., <a href="/luke/1-30.htm">Luke 1:30</a>, <a href="/matthew/28-5.htm">Matthew 28:5</a>). Here, it is ironic because Saul is encouraging the woman not to fear, while he himself is in a state of fear and disobedience.<p><b>“What do you see?”</b><br>Saul's question indicates his reliance on the medium to communicate with the spiritual realm, as he cannot see the apparition himself. This reflects the biblical prohibition against necromancy and divination (<a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a>), highlighting Saul's disobedience to God's commands. The question also underscores Saul's spiritual blindness and desperation, contrasting with the clarity of vision that comes from faithfulness to God.<p><b>“I see a god coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered.</b><br>The term "god" here is translated from the Hebrew word "elohim," which can mean "god," "gods," or "spiritual being." The woman's description suggests a supernatural appearance, which she interprets as a divine or ghostly figure. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern belief in spirits and the afterlife, where the dead were often thought to reside in the underworld. The phrase "coming up out of the earth" indicates the belief that spirits could ascend from Sheol, the realm of the dead. This event is unique in Scripture, as it involves the appearance of the prophet Samuel after his death, highlighting the gravity of Saul's situation and the consequences of his disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, who is seeking guidance from a medium at Endor after God has stopped answering him through prophets or dreams.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_medium_at_endor.htm">The Medium at Endor</a></b><br>A woman who practices necromancy, whom Saul consults in desperation, despite having previously banned such practices in Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>The prophet who had died and is summoned by the medium at Saul's request. His appearance is a pivotal moment in this account.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/endor.htm">Endor</a></b><br>A location in ancient Israel where the medium resides. It becomes the setting for this encounter between Saul and the spirit of Samuel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_spirit.htm">The Spirit</a></b><br>Referred to as "a god" by the medium, this spirit is understood to be the prophet Samuel, who delivers a message to Saul.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Saul's decision to consult a medium, despite knowing God's commandments, illustrates the severe consequences of disobedience and lack of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god_in_desperation.htm">Seeking God in Desperation</a></b><br>In times of desperation, we must seek God through prayer and His Word, rather than turning to forbidden or ungodly practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_warfare.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>This passage reminds us of the reality of spiritual forces and the importance of adhering to God's guidance in spiritual matters.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Obedience to God's commands is crucial, even when His presence seems distant. Trusting in His timing and methods is essential.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_fear_in_decision-making.htm">The Role of Fear in Decision-Making</a></b><br>Saul's fear led him to make poor decisions. We must guard against allowing fear to drive us away from God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_28.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 28</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_samuel_28_conflict_with_other_bans.htm">Does the account of an active spirit world in 1 Samuel 28:13–19 conflict with other passages that deny or forbid communicating with the dead? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_gospel_of_the_kingdom.htm">What is the Gospel of the Kingdom about?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_lev_20_27_align_with_1_sam_28.htm">In Leviticus 20:27, how does the death sentence for mediums and spiritists reconcile with the Bible’s own instances of sanctioned supernatural encounters (e.g., 1 Samuel 28)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_39_6_deny_lasting_legacies.htm">Psalm 39:6 - Does the claim that everyone is merely a 'phantom' contradict historical evidence of lasting human achievements?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/28.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>�1Sam 2</span>8<span class= "ital">:</span>13<span class= "ital"><p>(</span>13<span class= "ital">)</span> <span class= "bld">I saw gods ascending out of the earth.</span>--The king at once calms the witch's fears for her life, and impatiently, as it would seem, asks what she saw which called forth the cry of fear and terror. "Gods"--this is the rendering of the Hebrew word <span class= "ital">Elohim. </span>The English Version, however, follows the majority of the Versions here. The Chaldee translates the word by "angels." Corn, a Lapide and the best modern scholars, however, reasoning from Saul's words which immediately follow--"What is <span class= "ital">his </span>form?"--suppose the <span class= "ital">Elohim </span>to signify, not a plurality of appearances, but one God-like form: something majestic and august. The feeling, however, of antiquity seems to have been in favour of more than one supernatural form entering into the En-dor dwelling on that awful night. Besides the testimony of the Versions above referred to, the passage in the Babylonian Talmud treatise <span class= "ital">Chaggigah, </span>quoted below, speaks of two positively spirit forms-Samuel and another.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/28.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What sawest thou?</span> Thus far Saul had seen nothing; and as the words literally are <span class="accented">What seest thou?</span> it is plain that she had not gone into another room, as some have supposed. The vision was entirely unsubstantial, and Saul, hearing her cry, and observing her excitement, and her steady gaze upon some object, asked what that object was. Probably she was at some distance from him, as was no doubt her custom when performing her incantations, in order that what she did might not be too closely observed; probably, too, she burnt odours, and surrounded herself with the smoke of incense. In answer to Saul she says, "I see Elohim ascending out of the earth." As the participle is plural, she does not mean God; nor, as it was a single appearance, is the rendering <span class="cmt_word">gods</span> correct. What she means is that she saw some grand supernatural appearance rising out of the ground, which she calls <span class="accented">a god</span> in a general way, without attaching any very exact meaning to the term. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/28-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be afraid,”</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּֽירְאִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(tî·rə·’î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֨אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you see?”</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאִ֑ית</span> <span class="translit">(rā·’îṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I see</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאִ֖יתִי</span> <span class="translit">(rā·’î·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a god</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">coming up</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹלִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">out of</span><br /><span class="heb">מִן־</span> <span class="translit">(min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the earth,”</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָֽרֶץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the woman</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאִשָּׁה֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">answered.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/28-13.htm">1 Samuel 28:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/28-13.htm">1 Samuel 28:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/28-13.htm">1 Samuel 28:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/28-13.htm">1 Samuel 28:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/28-13.htm">1 Samuel 28:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/28-13.htm">1 Samuel 28:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/28-13.htm">1 Samuel 28:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/28-13.htm">1 Samuel 28:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/28-13.htm">1 Samuel 28:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/28-13.htm">1 Samuel 28:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/28-13.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 28:13 The king said to her Don't be (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/28-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 28:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 28:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/28-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 28:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 28:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>