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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 28:11 "Whom shall I bring up for you?" the woman asked. "Bring up Samuel," he replied.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/28-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/09_1Sa_28_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 28:11 - Saul and the Medium of Endor" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Whom shall I bring up for you? the woman asked. 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And he said, Bring me up Samuel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/28.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/28.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the woman said, &#8220Whom shall I bring up for you?&#8221 And he said, &#8220Bring up Samuel for me.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Who is it that you want me to bring up for you? ” the woman asked. “Bring up Samuel for me,” he answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Who is it that you want me to bring up for you?&#8221 the woman asked. &#8220Bring up Samuel for me,&#8221 he answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/28.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/28.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Who do you want me to bring up?" she asked. "Bring up the ghost of Samuel," he answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/28.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Whom should I conjure up for you?" the woman asked. "Conjure up Samuel for me," he answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/28.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Whom shall I call up for you?" the woman asked. "Samuel," he answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/28.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" Saul said, "Bring up Samuel for me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Whom shall I bring up for you?? the woman asked. ?Bring up Samuel,? he replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/28.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The woman replied, "Who is it that I should bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up for me Samuel." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up to you?" He said, "Bring Samuel up for me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then said the woman, whom shall I bring up to thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/28.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up to you?” He said, “Bring Samuel up for me.” <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 woman says, “Whom do I bring up to you?” And he says, “Bring up Samuel to me.”<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 woman saith, 'Whom do I bring up to thee?' and he saith, 'Samuel -- bring up to me.'<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 woman will say, Whom shall I bring up to thee? And he will say, Bring up to me Samuel.<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 woman said to him: Whom shall I bring up to thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. <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 woman said to him, “Whom shall I raise up for you?” And he said, “Raise up for me Samuel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/28.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Whom do you want me to conjure up?” the woman asked him. “Conjure up Samuel for me,” he replied. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He answered, “Bring up Samuel for me.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then the woman said, Whom shall I bring up to you? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.<CL>So David and his men rose up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.<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 woman said, “Whom shall I bring up to you? And he said, bring up Shemueil to me”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/28.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then said the woman: 'Whom shall I bring up unto thee?' And he said: 'Bring me up Samuel.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/28.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the woman said, Whom shall I bring up to thee? and he said, Bring up to me Samuel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/28-11.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=8350" 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">10</span>Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.” <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“Whom</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ’a·‘ă·leh- (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">shall I bring up</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">for you?”</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/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></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.">asked.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ha·‘ă·lî- (V-Hifil-Imp-fs) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">“Bring up</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8050.htm" title="8050: šə·mū·’êl (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.">Samuel,”</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.">he replied.</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> </span><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!”…<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="/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="/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="/matthew/7-22.htm">Matthew 7:22-23</a></span><br />Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-14.htm">2 Corinthians 11:14-15</a></span><br />And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a></span><br />Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.<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="/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="/ezekiel/13-6.htm">Ezekiel 13:6-9</a></span><br />They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken? / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up to you? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">Samuel</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/28-12.htm">Samuel</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>“Whom shall I bring up for you?”</b><br>In this passage, the woman is the medium at Endor, whom Saul consults in desperation. The practice of necromancy, or communicating with the dead, was strictly forbidden in Israelite law (<a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a>). This highlights Saul's disobedience and spiritual decline, as he seeks guidance outside of God's will. The question posed by the medium indicates her role in the ritual, which was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where mediums were believed to have the power to summon spirits.<p><b>the woman asked.</b><br>The woman is often referred to as the "Witch of Endor," though the term "witch" may not fully capture her role. She is a medium, someone who claims to communicate with the dead. Her presence in Endor, a town within the territory of Issachar, suggests that such practices persisted despite the king's earlier efforts to expel mediums and spiritists from the land (<a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3</a>). This reflects the tension between the Israelites' covenantal laws and the surrounding pagan practices.<p><b>“Bring up Samuel,” he replied.</b><br>Saul's request to bring up Samuel underscores his desperation and fear, as he faces the Philistine threat without divine guidance. Samuel, the last judge and a prophet, had been Saul's spiritual advisor. Saul's desire to consult Samuel, even after his death, indicates his recognition of Samuel's authority and the absence of God's voice in his life. This act of seeking Samuel through a medium contrasts sharply with the biblical teaching that God alone should be sought for guidance (<a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19</a>). Samuel's role as a prophet also foreshadows the ultimate prophet, Jesus Christ, who provides the final revelation of God's will (<a href="/hebrews/1.htm">Hebrews 1:1-2</a>).<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 in a time of desperation. His actions in this chapter reflect his spiritual decline and disobedience to God.<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, which was forbidden in Israel. Saul seeks her out to communicate with the deceased prophet Samuel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>The deceased prophet whom Saul wishes to consult. Samuel had been a significant spiritual leader and advisor to Saul during his reign.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/endor.htm">Endor</a></b><br>A location in ancient Israel where the medium resided. Saul visits this place secretly, as consulting mediums was against God's law.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_philistines.htm">The Philistines</a></b><br>The enemies of Israel, whose impending attack prompts Saul to seek guidance through forbidden means.<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 reflects his ongoing disobedience to God. This serves as a warning about the spiritual consequences of turning away from God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god_in_times_of_trouble.htm">Seeking God in Times of Trouble</a></b><br>Instead of seeking forbidden practices, believers are encouraged to turn to God in prayer and scripture for guidance during difficult times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_desperation.htm">The Dangers of Desperation</a></b><br>Desperation can lead to poor decision-making. It's crucial to remain steadfast in faith and trust in God's timing and wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_leadership.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>Samuel's role as a spiritual leader highlights the importance of having godly mentors and advisors in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty and Judgment</a></b><br>Despite Saul's attempts to control his situation, God's sovereignty and judgment prevail. This reminds us of the futility of trying to circumvent 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/who_is_blessed_for_righteous_suffering.htm">Did David commit rape against Bathsheba?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_hebrews_2_10_mean.htm">Who was Bathsheba in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_psalm_115_17_with_afterlife.htm">Psalm 115:17 — If the dead cannot praise the Lord, how do we address biblical passages suggesting continued consciousness or spiritual existence after death?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_moses_and_elijah_with_jesus.htm">Matthew 17:3 describes Moses and Elijah appearing alongside Jesus. What historical or archaeological evidence supports or contradicts such an extraordinary event? </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>(11) <span class= "bld">Bring me up Samuel.</span>--A remarkable passage in the Babylonian Talmud evidently shows that, at all events in the Rabbinical Schools of a very early date, the bringing up of Samuel was looked upon as owing to the witch's power.<p>" A Sadducee once said to Rabbi Abhu, 'Ye say that the souls of the righteous are treasured up under the throne of glory; how then had the witch of En-dor power to bring up the prophet Samuel by necromancy?' The Rabbi replied, 'Because that occurred within twelve months after his death; for we are taught that during twelve months after death the body is preserved, and the soul soars up and down, but that after twelve months the body is destroyed, and the soul goes up, never to return.'"--Treatise <span class= "ital">Shabbath, </span>fol. 88, Colossians 2.<p>Another Rabbinical tradition, however, seems to limit this near presence of the departed spirit to the body to four days:--"It is a tradition of Ben Kaphra's. The very height of mourning is not till the third day. For three days the spirit wanders about the sepulchre, expecting if it may return into the body. But when it sees that the form or aspect of the face is changed [on the fourth day], then it hovers no more, but leaves the body to itself. After three days (it is said elsewhere), the countenance is changed."--From the <span class= "ital">Bereshith R</span>., p. 1143: quoted by Lightfoot, referred to by Canon Westcott in his commentary on St. <a href="/john/11-39.htm" title="Jesus said, Take you away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him, Lord, by this time he stinks: for he has been dead four days.">John 11:39</a>.<p>Saul's state of mind on this, almost the eve of his last fatal fight at Gilboa, affords a curious study. He felt himself forsaken of God, and yet, in his deep despair, his mind turns to the friend and guide of his youth, from whom--long before that friend's death--he had been so hopelessly estranged. There must have been a terrible struggle in the proud king's heart before he could have brought himself to stoop to ask for assistance from one of that loathed and proscribed class of women who professed to have dealings with familiar spirits and demons. "There is," once wrote Archbishop Trench, "something unutterably pathetic in the yearning of the dis-anointed king, now in his utter desolation, to exchange words once more with the friend and counsellor of his youth; and if he must hear his doom, to hear it from no other lips but his."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/28.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Whom shall I bring up to thee?</span> Assured by Saul's oath, the woman now asserts her ability to call up the spirits of the dead, and asks, just as would happen now with those who claim similar powers, who it is to be. We need not suppose that she possessed either greater or less powers than those claimed or even exercised now; for many of the phenomena of clairvoyance, though undoubtedly natural, still belong to an unscientific, and therefore vague and illusory, region. Perhaps on this very account these arts have always had an extraordinary fascination for men, and been practised in all ages and among all people with considerable skill. <span class="cmt_word">Bring me up Samuel.</span> Samuel had been Saul's friend in his youth, and his guide and counsellor in those happy days when the young king walked uprightly, and all went well with him. But gradually the light yoke of respect for one who loved him became too heavy for a despotic temperament, which would brook no will but its own. Now that self-will is broken; it had brought the warrior king to a hopeless despair, and in his distress his mind once again returns to its old channels Intense as was the degradation for one so haughty, in disguise by night, at the risk of his life, to seek help from a sorceress, he bears it all that he may at least for a few minutes see the spirit of the true though stern monitor, whose memory once again filled his whole heart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/28-11.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">“Whom</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall I bring up</span><br /><span class="heb">אַֽעֲלֶה־</span> <span class="translit">(’a·‘ă·leh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular<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">for you?”</span><br /><span class="heb">לָּ֑ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">the woman</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה</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">asked.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙</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 /><br /><span class="word">“Bring up</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽעֲלִי־</span> <span class="translit">(ha·‘ă·lî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singular<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">Samuel,”</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mū·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8050.htm">Strong's 8050: </a> </span><span class="str2">Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he replied.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֕אמֶר</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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/28-11.htm">1 Samuel 28:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/28-11.htm">1 Samuel 28:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/28-11.htm">1 Samuel 28:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/28-11.htm">1 Samuel 28:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/28-11.htm">1 Samuel 28:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/28-11.htm">1 Samuel 28:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/28-11.htm">1 Samuel 28:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/28-11.htm">1 Samuel 28:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/28-11.htm">1 Samuel 28:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/28-11.htm">1 Samuel 28:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/28-11.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 28:11 Then said the woman Whom shall (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/28-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 28:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 28:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/28-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 28:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 28:12" /></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>