At that time the Philistines mustered their forces for war, to take the field against Israel. Achish said to David, “You know, of course, that you and your men must march out with my forces.”
David answered Achish, “You surely know what your servant will do.” “In that case,” Achish replied to David, “I will appoint you my bodyguard for life.”
aThe rest of this chapter would read well after chapters 29 and 30. Now Samuel had died and all Israel made lament for him; and he was buried in his own town of Ramah. And Saul had forbidden [recourse to] ghosts and familiar spirits in the land.
The Philistines mustered and they marched to Shunem and encamped; and Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויקבצו
214
פלשתים
860
ויבאו
25
ויחנו
80
בשונם
398
ויקבץ
208
שאול
337
אתכלישראל
992
ויחנו
80
בגלבע
107
I Samuel 28:5
Gematria: 2446
ויראשאולאתמחנהפלשתיםויראויחרדלבומאד
When Saul saw the Philistine force, his heart trembled with fear.
Word-by-Word Analysis
וירא
217
שאול
337
אתמחנה
504
פלשתים
860
וירא
217
ויחרד
228
לבו
38
מאד
45
I Samuel 28:6
Gematria: 1885
וישאלשאולביהוהולאענהויהוהגםבחלמותגםבאוריםגםבנביאם
And Saul inquired of GOD, but GOD did not answer him, either by dreams or by UrimbUrim A kind of oracle; see note at Exod. 28.30 and 1 Sam. 14.41. or by prophets.
Then Saul said to his courtiers, “Find me a woman who consults ghosts, so that I can go to her and inquire through her.” And his courtiers told him that there was a woman in En-dor who consulted ghosts.
Saul disguised himself; he put on different clothes and set out with two men. They came to the woman by night, and he said, “Please divine for me by a ghost. Bring up for me the one I shall name to you.”
But the woman answered him, “You know what Saul has done, how he has banned [the use of] ghosts and familiar spirits in the land. So why are you laying a trap for me, to get me killed?”
Word-by-Word Analysis
ותאמר
647
האשה
311
אליו
47
הנה
60
אתה
406
ידעת
484
את
401
אשרעשה
876
שאול
337
אשר
501
הכרית
635
אתהאבות
815
ואתהידעני
556
מןהארץ
386
ולמה
81
אתה
406
מתנקש
890
בנפשי
442
להמיתני
545
I Samuel 28:10
Gematria: 1825
וישבעלהשאולביהוהלאמרחייהוהאםיקרךעוןבדברהזה
Saul swore to her by GOD: “As GOD lives, you won’t get into trouble over this.”
Word-by-Word Analysis
וישבע
388
לה
35
שאול
337
ביהוה
28
לאמר
271
חייהוה
44
אםיקרך
371
עון
126
בדבר
208
הזה
17
I Samuel 28:11
Gematria: 2755
ותאמרהאשהאתמיאעלהלךויאמראתשמואלהעלילי
At that, the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He answered, “Bring up Samuel for me.”
Then the woman recognized Samuel,cSamuel Some Septuagint mss. read “Saul.” and she shrieked loudly, and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”
“What does he look like?” he asked her. “It is an old man coming up,” she said, “and he is wrapped in a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel; and he bowed low in homage with his face to the ground.
Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me and brought me up?” And Saul answered, “I am greatly troubled. The Philistines are attacking me and God has turned away from me—and no longer answers me, either by prophets or in dreams. So I have called you to tell me what I am to do.”
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויאמר
257
שמואל
377
אלשאול
368
למה
75
הרגזתני
675
להעלות
541
אתי
411
ויאמר
257
שאול
337
צרלי
330
מאד
45
ופלשתים
866
נלחמים
178
בי
12
ואלהים
92
סר
260
מעלי
150
ולאענני
217
עוד
80
גם
43
בידהנביאים
134
גםבחלמות
529
ואקראה
313
לך
50
להודיעני
185
מה
45
אעשהס
436
I Samuel 28:16
Gematria: 2289
ויאמרשמואלולמהתשאלניויהוהסרמעליךויהיערך
Samuel said, “Why do you ask me, seeing that GOD has turned away from you and has become your adversary?dyour adversary Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
GOD has doneehas done Lit. “has done for Himself”; some mss. and Septuagint read “has done to you.” what was foretold through me: GOD has torn the kingship out of your hands and has given it to your fellow, to David,
Further, GOD will deliver the Israelites who are with you into the hands of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me; and GOD will also deliver the Israelite forces into the hands of the Philistines.”
At once Saul flung himself prone on the ground, terrified by Samuel’s words. Besides, there was no strength in him, for he had not eaten anything all day and all night.
The woman went up to Saul and, seeing how greatly disturbed he was, she said to him, “Your handmaid listened to you; I took my life in my hands and heeded the request you made of me.
He refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But when his courtiers as well as the woman urged him, he listened to them; he got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
Word-by-Word Analysis
וימאן
107
ויאמר
257
לא
31
אכל
51
ויפרצובו
400
עבדיו
92
וגםהאשה
360
וישמע
426
לקלם
200
ויקם
156
מהארץ
336
וישב
318
אלהמטה
90
I Samuel 28:24
Gematria: 4717
ולאשהעגלמרבקבביתותמהרותזבחהוותקחקמחותלשותפהומצות
The woman had a stall-fed calf in the house; she hastily slaughtered it, and took flour and kneaded it, and baked some unleavened cakes.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ולאשה
342
עגלמרבק
445
בבית
414
ותמהר
651
ותזבחהו
434
ותקחקמח
662
ותלש
736
ותפהו
497
מצות
536
I Samuel 28:25
Gematria: 1965
ותגשלפנישאולולפניעבדיוויאכלוויקמווילכובלילהההואפ
She set this before Saul and his courtiers, and they ate. Then they rose and left the same night.