Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary

1 Samuel 28:13

i.e. A god, a divine person, glorious, and full of majesty and splendour, exceeding not only mortal men, but common ghosts. She useth the plural number, gods, either after the manner of the Hebrew language, which commonly useth that word of one person; or after the language and custom of the heathens. But the whole coherence shows that it was but one. For Saul desired but one, 1 Samuel 28:11, and he inquires and the woman answers only of one, 1 Samuel 28:14. Ascending out of the earth, as if it came from the place of the dead.

Continues after advertising

See also 1 Samuel 28:13 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 1 Samuel 28:13. _I SAW GODS ASCENDING OUT OF THE EARTH._] The word אלהום _elohim_, which we translate _gods_, is the word which is used for the Supreme Being throughout the Bible; but all the _...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    GODS - אלהים _'ĕlohı̂ym_ is here used in a general sense of a supernatural appearance, either angel or spirit. Hell, or the place of the departed (compare 1 Samuel 28:19; 2 Samuel 12:23) is represent...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    7. SAUL AND THE WITCH AT ENDOR CHAPTER 28 _ 1. David fully joined to Achish (1 Samuel 28:1)_ 2. Forsaken Saul (1 Samuel 28:3) 3. The command to seek a witch (1 Samuel 28:7) 4. Saul's visit t

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    1 SAMUEL 28:2 is continued by 1 Samuel 29:1; the _connexion is_ broken by the insertion of 1 SAMUEL 28:3. SAUL AND THE WITCH OF ENDOR. This section interrupts the connexion; moreover, it would come n...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    GODS. Plural of _Elohim._ Either "a god "or. spirit manifestation. OUT OF THE EARTH. Not down, or forth, as in John 11:43; John 11:44....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Saul resorts to the witch of Endor 3. _Now Samuel_, &c. From 1 Samuel 28:3 to the end of the chapter is an independent narrative. 1 Samuel 28:3 states by way of introduction certain facts as the key t...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _gods_ The Heb. word _Elôhîm_is plural, and when not applied to God Himself is generally to be so rendered. But it is evident from 1 Samuel 28:14 that only a _single_figure appeared. _Elôhîm_here deno...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    FOR WHAT SAWEST THOU?— It should be rendered, _but what sawest thou?_ The word translated _Gods,_ is אלהים _elohim._ The Chaldee renders it, _a messenger of the Lord._ Houbigant thinks that she speaks...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    Saul Seeks the Witch of En-dor. 1 Samuel 28:7-14 7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to hi...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _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._ I SAW GODS ASCENDING OUT OF THE EARTH, х_ 'ªLOHIYM_ (H430). The...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    28:13 god (a-24) Or 'gods.' Heb. _ elohim_ ....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    SAUL AND THE WITCH OF ENDOR 1 Samuel 28:3 come from another document and interrupt the connexion, as will be seen if the account is read without them. In order of time their proper position is after 1...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    GODS] RV 'a god,' for Saul immediately said, 'What form is he of?' We must remember that Elohim in Hebrew is more general than the word 'god' is with us, and is, in fact, used generally for 'supernatu...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    ISRAEL’S FIRST KING 1 SAMUEL _HELEN POCOCK_ CHAPTER 28 V1 Later, the *Philistines gathered their army to fight the *Israelites. Achish said to David, ‘You must realise that you and your men must...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    _(_13_)_ I SAW GODS ASCENDING OUT OF THE EARTH. — 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 ter...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וַ יֹּ֨אמֶר לָ֥הּ הַ מֶּ֛לֶךְ אַל ־תִּֽירְאִ֖

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER XXXIV. _ SAUL AT ENDOR._ 1 Samuel 28:3. FOR a considerable time Saul had been drifting along like a crippled vessel at sea, a melancholy example of a man forsaken of God. But as his decisive...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    RESORTING TO A FAMILIAR SPIRIT 1 Samuel 28:1 This chapter records the climax to which Saul's sins led, and which sealed his fate. See 1 Chronicles 10:13. He went back to that which he had put away an...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    It is strange how this story has been made to serve in defense of things occult, which, as a matter of fact, it condemns. Let it be carefully read, and it becomes perfectly patent that this woman had...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Gods, or one venerable and divine personage. (Worthington) --- Elohim, is applied to Samuel for greater honour. It is a title given to the true God, to idols, and people in dignity. (Calmet)_...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (8) And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and b...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    We enter now on a portion of David's history sensibly different from what we have already had, which closed with the efforts of Jonathan to restore matters and to attach Saul to him at least openly. J...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Saul, as well as Israel at present, was in a still worse position, having succour neither from God nor from the enemy. Saul is forsaken of God. Samuel is dead; so that Israel is no longer in connectio...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND THE KING SAID UNTO HER, BE NOT AFRAID,.... Meaning not of the apparition, but of him; since he had sworn no punishment should come upon her, and he should inviolably observe his oath: for what saw...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    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. Ver. 13. _For what sawest thou?_] He then was not an eye-witness...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _The woman said, I saw gods ascending_ The original word here used is _elohim;_ and is with equal propriety rendered _God, a god, or gods;_ when spoken of Jehovah it is translated _God_ in the Scriptu...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    1 Achish putteth confidence in Dauid. 3 Saul hauing destroyed the witches, 4 and now in his feare forsaken of God, 7 seeketh to a witch. 9 The witch, encouraged by Saul, raiseth vp Samuel. 15 Sau...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    And the king said unto her, Be not afraid; for what sawest thou? Up till that time the vision was still hidden from Saul. AND THE WOMAN SAID UNTO SAUL, I SAW GODS, a supernatural being, a spicitual fo...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE CONSULTATION WITH THE WITCH...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    The inevitable conflict between Israel and the Philistines arises again, and David finds himself in an unpleasant situation Achish tells him that he and his men must accompany Achish to fight against...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    7-19 When we go from the plain path of duty, every thing draws us further aside, and increases our perplexity and temptation. Saul desires the woman to bring one from the dead, with whom he wished to...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 Samuel 28:13 king H4428 said H559 (H8799) afraid H3372 (H8799) see H7200 (H8804) woman H802 said...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    SAUL CONSULTS A NECROMANCER AND SAMUEL APPEARS TO HIM (1 SAMUEL 28:3). Having been unable to obtain any response from God, Saul, in desperation, determined to turn to a necromancer. It would, however,...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: David among Israel's enemies. Saul consults the witch. CHARACTERS: God, David, Saul, Samuel, Achish, witch. CONCLUSION: Seek the Lord while He may be found for there is a time when He will...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    1 Samuel 28:4. _Shunem,_ in the tribe of Issachar, not far from mount Hermon. 1 Samuel 28:7. _A woman that hath a familiar spirit:_ a mistress of OB. See Deuteronomy 18:11. The LXX read _pythoness,_ a...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit._ SAUL AND THE WITCH OF ENDOR This narrative is unlike any other in the Bible, and therefore, as might have been expected, has received various explanati...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _The Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel._ NIGHT PRECEDING BATTLE As the flash of lightning reveals the hidden scenery around, so the reception of momentous n...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 28:3 The story now shifts to King Saul’s visit to the medium at En-dor and returns to David and the Philistines in 1 Samuel 29:1. Saul faces overwhelming odds as the Philis

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 28:13 A GOD is a term used of the spirits of the dead in ancient Near Eastern texts. ⇐...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL AND EXPOSITORY NOTES— 1 Samuel 28:1. “KNOW THOU ASSUREDLY.” Some expositors regard these words of Achish as designed to try David: others think they express the entire confidence which the k...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    DOWNFALL AND DEATH OF SAUL (CHS. 28-31.) THE PHILISTINES GATHER TOGETHER FOR WAR. DISTRESS OF SAUL, AND VISIT TO THE WITCH OF...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    So it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, Know assuredly, that you shall go out to battle with...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Exodus 22:28; Exodus 4:16; John 10:34; John 10:35; Psalms 82:6;...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Gods — That is, a god, and divine person, glorious, and full of majesty and splendor, exceeding not only mortal men, but common ghosts. She used the plural number, gods, either after the manner of the...

Continues after advertising