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And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/28-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/09_1Sa_28_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 28:3 - Philistines Gather Against Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/28-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/28-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/28.htm">Chapter 28</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/28-2.htm" title="1 Samuel 28:2">◄</a> 1 Samuel 28:3 <a href="/1_samuel/28-4.htm" title="1 Samuel 28:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_samuel/28.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/28.htm">New International Version</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/28.htm">New Living Translation</a> Meanwhile, Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him. He was buried in Ramah, his hometown. And Saul had banned from the land of Israel all mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/28.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/28.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/28.htm">King James Bible</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/28.htm">New King James Version</a> Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/28.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed from the land those who were mediums and spiritists. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him and buried him in Ramah his own city. And Saul had removed from the land those who were mediums and spiritists. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed from the land those who were mediums and spiritists. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and the spiritists (soothsayers) from the land. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> By this time Samuel had died, all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his city, and Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> By this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his city, and Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/28.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/28.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Meanwhile, Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his hometown Ramah. (Saul had rid the land of mediums and psychics.) <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/28.htm">Good News Translation</a> Now Samuel had died, and all the Israelites had mourned for him and had buried him in his hometown of Ramah. Saul had forced all the fortunetellers and mediums to leave Israel. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/28.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. <a href="/net/1_samuel/28.htm">NET Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had removed the mediums, and spiritists, from the land. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. <a href="/web/1_samuel/28.htm">World English Bible</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had sent away those who had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/28.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Samuel has died, and all Israel mourns for him, and buries him in Ramah, even in his city, and Saul has turned aside those having familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/28.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Samuel hath died, and all Israel mourn for him, and bury him in Ramah, even in his city, and Saul hath turned aside those having familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. <a href="/slt/1_samuel/28.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Samuel died, and all Israel will lament for him; and they will bury him in Ramah, and in his city. And Saul took away the necromancers and the wizards from the land.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/28.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel mourned for him, and buried him in Ramatha his city. And Saul had put away all the magicians and soothsayers out of the land. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/28.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all of Israel mourned for him, and they buried him in Ramah, his city. And Saul took away the magi and soothsayers from the land. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/28.htm">New American Bible</a> Now, Samuel was dead. All Israel had mourned him and buried him in his city, Ramah. Meanwhile Saul had driven mediums and diviners out of the land. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. Saul had expelled the mediums and the wizards from the land.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned over him and buried him in Ramtha in his own sepulchre. And Saul had put away the diviners and the wizards out of the land.<CL>Then the princes of the Philistines said to Achish, Why are these men marching here? And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, This is David, the servant of Saul, the king of Israel, who has been with us a year and some months, and I have found no fault in him from the day he came to me until this day. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/28.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Samuel had died and all Israel had mourned over him and buried him in Ramtha in his tomb, and Shaul removed the Necromancers and Soothsayers from the land<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/28.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that divined by a ghost or a familiar spirit out of the land. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/28.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Samuel died, and all Israel lamented for him, and they bury him in his city, in Armathaim. And Saul had removed those who had in them divining spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/28-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=8267" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/28.htm">Philistines Gather Against Israel</a> …2David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.” “Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.” 3<a href="/hebrew/8050.htm" title="8050: ū·šə·mū·’êl (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Name of God, a prophet of Isr. From the passive participle of shama' and 'el; heard of God; Shemuel, the name of three Israelites.">Now by this time Samuel</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mêṯ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">had died,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5594.htm" title="5594: way·yis·pə·ḏū- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts; generally to lament; by implication, to wail.">had mourned</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">for him</a> <a href="/hebrew/6912.htm" title="6912: way·yiq·bə·ru·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3ms) -- To bury. A primitive root; to intern.">and buried him</a> <a href="/hebrew/7414.htm" title="7414: ḇā·rā·māh (Prep-b, Art:: N-proper-fs) -- Height, the name of several places in Isr. The same as ramah; Ramah, the name of four places in Palestine.">in Ramah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ū·ḇə·‘î·rōw (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">his own city.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: wə·šā·’ūl (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">And Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/5493.htm" title="5493: hê·sîr (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To turn aside. Or suwr; a primitive root; to turn off.">had removed</a> <a href="/hebrew/178.htm" title="178: hā·’ō·ḇō·wṯ (Art:: N-mp) -- From the same as 'ab; properly, a mumble, i.e. A water skin; hence a necromancer.">the mediums</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3049.htm" title="3049: hay·yid·də·‘ō·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Familiar spirit. From yada'; properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; a ghost.">and spiritists</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: mê·hā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-m, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">from the land.</a> 4The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a> 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. <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a> 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. <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19</a> 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? <a href="/2_kings/23-24.htm">2 Kings 23:24</a> Furthermore, Josiah removed the mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. He did this to carry out the words of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD. <a href="/leviticus/20-6.htm">Leviticus 20:6</a> Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists to prostitute himself with them, I will also set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. <a href="/1_chronicles/10-13.htm">1 Chronicles 10:13-14</a> 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. <a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16-18</a> 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. <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a> 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. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14-18</a> Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ... <a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11-12</a> Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. / For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. <a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">2 Kings 21:6</a> 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. <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a> They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Isaiah 19:3</a> 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. <a href="/micah/5-12.htm">Micah 5:12</a> I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers. <a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a> 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.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.Samuel<a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">1 Samuel 25:1</a> And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.<a href="/isaiah/57-1.htm">Isaiah 57:1,2</a> The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come… put away<a href="/1_samuel/28-9.htm">1 Samuel 28:9</a> And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?<a href="/exodus/22-18.htm">Exodus 22:18</a> Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.<a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a> Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">Arts</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Body</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Bury</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-5.htm">City</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-13.htm">Control</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-39.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-10.htm">Died</a> <a href="/genesis/30-27.htm">Divined</a> <a href="/judges/1-20.htm">Expelled</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Lamented</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-6.htm">Mediums</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Mourn</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Mourned</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Necromancers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Ramah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-6.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-4.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-20.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/judges/9-37.htm">Soothsayers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-2.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-6.htm">Spiritists</a> <a href="/ruth/3-7.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-12.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-21.htm">Use</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">Weeping</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Wizards</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/9-22.htm">Arts</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-10.htm">Body</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-13.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-13.htm">Bury</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-3.htm">City</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm">Control</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-5.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-5.htm">Died</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">Divined</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-14.htm">Expelled</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-4.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-17.htm">Lamented</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-9.htm">Mediums</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-12.htm">Mourn</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-12.htm">Mourned</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Necromancers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-27.htm">Ramah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-15.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-11.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-4.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-12.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-6.htm">Soothsayers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-9.htm">Spiritists</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-9.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-16.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-12.htm">Use</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-4.htm">Weeping</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-9.htm">Wizards</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 28</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/28-1.htm">Achish puts confidence in David</a> 3. <a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">Saul having destroyed the witches</a> 4. <a href="/1_samuel/28-4.htm">and now in his fear forsaken of God</a> 7. <a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm">has recourse to a witch</a> 8. <a href="/1_samuel/28-8.htm">who, encouraged by Saul, raises up Samuel</a> 15. <a href="/1_samuel/28-15.htm">Saul hearing his ruin, faints</a> 21. <a href="/1_samuel/28-21.htm">The woman and his servants refresh him with meat</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Now by this time Samuel had died Samuel, a significant prophet and judge in Israel, had passed away. His death marked the end of an era of direct prophetic leadership in Israel. Samuel was instrumental in anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David, and his death left a spiritual void. His role as a prophet was crucial, as he was a mediator between God and the people, and his absence would have been deeply felt. This sets the stage for the events that follow, highlighting the spiritual decline under Saul's leadership.and all Israel had mourned for him The mourning of all Israel indicates Samuel's widespread influence and respect among the people. Mourning customs in ancient Israel included weeping, fasting, and wearing sackcloth, reflecting the deep sorrow felt by the nation. Samuel's leadership was pivotal in uniting the tribes and guiding them spiritually, and his death would have been a national loss, emphasizing the gravity of the situation in Israel.and buried him in Ramah, his own city Ramah, located in the territory of Benjamin, was Samuel's birthplace and home. It served as a center for his prophetic ministry. The burial in his own city signifies the honor and respect given to him, as it was customary to bury individuals in their family tombs or places of significance. This also underscores the personal connection Samuel had with his community and his role as a local leader.And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land Saul's removal of mediums and spiritists was in obedience to the Mosaic Law, which prohibited such practices (<a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a>, <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a>). This action reflects an earlier commitment to uphold God's commandments, as these practices were associated with paganism and idolatry. However, the context of Saul's later actions reveals a contradiction, as he eventually seeks out a medium, indicating his spiritual decline and desperation. This phrase sets up the tension between Saul's initial obedience and his subsequent disobedience, highlighting the theme of incomplete faithfulness to God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a> A prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel was a pivotal figure in Israel's history, anointing both Saul and David as kings. His death marked the end of an era of direct prophetic guidance for Saul. 2. <a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a> The first king of Israel, Saul's reign was marked by initial success but later characterized by disobedience to God and a decline into fear and desperation. 3. <a href="/topical/r/ramah.htm">Ramah</a> The hometown of Samuel, where he was buried. It served as a center for his prophetic ministry. 4. <a href="/topical/m/mediums_and_spiritists.htm">Mediums and Spiritists</a> Individuals who claimed to communicate with the dead or the spiritual realm. Saul had previously expelled them from Israel in accordance with God's law. 5. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation chosen by God, mourning the loss of Samuel, who had been a spiritual leader and guide.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a> Samuel's death left a leadership void that Saul struggled to fill. Godly leaders are crucial for guiding people in righteousness. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a> Saul's initial obedience in removing mediums was commendable, but his later actions showed inconsistency. True obedience requires steadfastness. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_desperation.htm">The Danger of Desperation</a> Saul's fear and desperation led him to seek forbidden practices. In times of crisis, believers must turn to God, not ungodly solutions. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_mourning_and_reflection.htm">The Role of Mourning and Reflection</a> Israel's mourning for Samuel reflects the importance of honoring those who have spiritually led us and reflecting on their teachings. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a> Saul's life is a cautionary tale of how disobedience to God can lead to spiritual decline and poor decision-making.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_28.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 28</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_christian_nationalism.htm">What is the significance of Ramah in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_samuel's_reappearance_explained.htm">How does the narrative explain Samuel’s apparent reappearance if 1 Samuel 28:14–20 implies he was genuinely summoned from the dead? </a> <a href="/q/what's_the_witch_of_endor_story.htm">What is the Witch of Endor Bible story about?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_mediums_in_ancient_israel.htm">Is there any archaeological or historical evidence confirming the existence of mediums in ancient Israel to support the story of 1 Samuel 28:7–9?</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>(3) Now Samuel was dead.--A statement here repeated to introduce the strange, sad story which follows. The LXX., followed by the Vulg. and Syriac Versions, omitted it, not understanding the reason for its repetition.And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.--This statement is also inserted explanatory of what follows. In other words, the compiler says: "Now Samuel, whom Saul was so anxious to see, was dead and buried, and the possessors of familiar spirits, whose aid Saul was about to invoke to carry out his purpose, had long since been put out, by his own order, from the land." "Those that had familiar spirits"--those that had at their command oboth, rendered "familiar spirits," the plural form of ob, a word which has never been explained with any certainty. Scholars think they can connect it with ob, to be hollow, and ob is then "the hollow thing," or "bag;" and so it came to signify, "one who speaks in a hollow voice." It hence appears to mean the distended belly of the ventriloquist, a word by which the LXX. always render ob. It thus is used to designate the male or female ventriloquist, as in <a href="/1_samuel/27-3.htm" title="And David dwelled with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.">1Samuel 27:3</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/27-9.htm" title="And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.">1Samuel 27:9</a>, and <a href="/deuteronomy/18-11.htm" title="Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.">Deuteronomy 18:11</a>, &c., and also the spirit which was supposed to speak from the belly of the ventriloquist; in this sense it is so used in <a href="/context/1_samuel/27-8.htm" title="And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as you go to Shur, even to the land of Egypt.">1Samuel 27:8-9</a>, and <a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm" title="And you shall be brought down, and shall speak out of the ground, and your speech shall be low out of the dust, and your voice shall be, as of one that has a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and your speech shall whisper out of the dust.">Isaiah 29:4</a>. This is the explanation given by Erdmann in Lange, and the Bishop of Bath and Wells in the Speaker's Commentary. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/28.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - Samuel was dead. A repetition of <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm">1 Samuel 25:1</a>, inserted to explain Saul's conduct, as is the other fact, that Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, etc. We are not told when Saul did this; but at the commencement of his reign, when he brought the ark to Nob, he was probably earnest generally in his observance of the precepts of the Mosaic law. Familiar spirits. Hebrew, oboth, the plural of ob, a leathern bottle. It is generally taken to refer to the distended belly of the conjurer, into which the summoned spirit of the dead was supposed to enter, and thence speak; for which reason the Septuagint renders the word" ventriloquist," and is followed by most modern commentators. Wizards. Hebrew, "knowing ones," from the verb to know; just as wizard comes from the old verb to wiss. With ignorant people unusual knowledge is always looked upon with suspicion; but these supposed magicians professed a knowledge to which they bad no claim. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/28-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now by this time Samuel וּשְׁמוּאֵ֣ל (ū·šə·mū·’êl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8050.htm">Strong's 8050: </a> Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel had died, מֵ֔ת (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill and all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc had mourned וַיִּסְפְּדוּ־ (way·yis·pə·ḏū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5594.htm">Strong's 5594: </a> To tear the hair and beat the breasts, to lament, to wail for him לוֹ֙ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> and buried וַיִּקְבְּרֻ֥הוּ (way·yiq·bə·ru·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6912.htm">Strong's 6912: </a> To inter him in Ramah, בָרָמָ֖ה (ḇā·rā·māh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7414.htm">Strong's 7414: </a> Ramah -- 'height', the name of several places in Israel his own city. וּבְעִיר֑וֹ (ū·ḇə·‘î·rōw) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement And Saul וְשָׁא֗וּל (wə·šā·’ūl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites had removed הֵסִ֛יר (hê·sîr) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5493.htm">Strong's 5493: </a> To turn aside the mediums הָאֹב֥וֹת (hā·’ō·ḇō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_178.htm">Strong's 178: </a> A bottle (made from animal skin), a necromancer and spiritists הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֖ים (hay·yid·də·‘ō·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3049.htm">Strong's 3049: </a> A knowing one, a conjurer, a ghost from the land. מֵהָאָֽרֶץ׃ (mê·hā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-m, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 28:3 Now Samuel was dead and all Israel (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/28-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 28:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 28:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/28-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 28:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 28:4" /></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>