📖WEB · 1 Samuel 28:18
What does 1 Samuel 28:18 mean?
"Because you didn’t obey Yahweh’s voice, and didn’t execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore Yahweh has done this thing to you today."
— 1 Samuel 28:18 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?” Saul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, by prophets, or by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.”
Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since Yahweh has departed from you and has become your adversary?
Yahweh has done to you as he spoke by me. Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to David.
Because you didn’t obey Yahweh’s voice, and didn’t execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore Yahweh has done this thing to you today.
Moreover Yahweh will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Yahweh will deliver the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”
Then Saul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was terrified, because of Samuel’s words. There was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all day long or all night long.
The woman came to Saul, and saw that he was very troubled, and said to him, “Behold, your servant has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
Explanation
This verse comes from one of the most unsettling scenes in the Old Testament: King Saul, on the eve of a decisive battle with the Philistines, has secretly visited a medium at Endor because God has stopped answering him through prophets, dreams, or the priestly Urim. When the spirit of Samuel appears, Saul hopes for guidance, but instead receives a
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