1 Samuel 28 11

1 Samuel 28:11 kjv

Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

1 Samuel 28:11 nkjv

Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me."

1 Samuel 28:11 niv

Then the woman asked, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" "Bring up Samuel," he said.

1 Samuel 28:11 esv

Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up Samuel for me."

1 Samuel 28:11 nlt

Finally, the woman said, "Well, whose spirit do you want me to call up?" "Call up Samuel," Saul replied.

1 Samuel 28 verses

1 Samuel 28 11 Meaning

In this verse, King Saul, in his desperation and disguised state, directly instructs the medium of En-dor to conjure the spirit of the prophet Samuel. The medium, after having been assured of her safety, inquires whom she should bring up. Saul, forsaken by divine communication and facing imminent battle with the Philistines, turns to a forbidden source—necromancy—to seek guidance from the deceased prophet. This action directly defies God's commands and exemplifies the depths of Saul's spiritual apostasy and despair.

1 Samuel 28 11 Context

1 Samuel 28 details King Saul's desperate state on the eve of a major battle against the Philistines. Previously, Saul had expelled all mediums and necromancers from Israel (1 Sam 28:3) in obedience to God's law. However, terrified and with God no longer answering him through legitimate means (dreams, Urim, or prophets), Saul, now disguised, sought out a forbidden medium at En-dor. This verse follows the medium's initial apprehension and Saul's deceptive reassurance that she would not be punished. Her question, "Whom shall I bring up unto thee?" prompts Saul to reveal his specific, forbidden request: the dead prophet Samuel. This act signifies the ultimate depth of Saul's spiritual decline, a stark betrayal of his own past reforms, and his final attempt to seek divine counsel from a source explicitly condemned by God.

1 Samuel 28 11 Word analysis

• Then said: Indicates an immediate progression in the narrative. The medium is reacting directly to Saul's assurance of safety.
• the woman: Refers to the 'ishshah (אִשָּׁה), the female medium or "mistress of a familiar spirit." She is now poised to execute the forbidden act requested by Saul.
• Whom: Hebrew 'eth-mî (אֶת־מִי), a direct interrogative, signifies the medium's need for a clear, specific target for her conjuring, crucial for performing the illicit ritual.
• shall I bring up: Hebrew ma'aleh (מַעֲלֶה), the Hiphil imperfect of the verb 'alah (עָלָה), meaning "to cause to go up, bring up, ascend." In this specific context, it denotes the act of necromancy—summoning a spirit, specifically from Sheol (the realm of the dead). This term clearly identifies the action as the forbidden practice of spiritualism, directly contrasting with proper means of divine inquiry.
• unto thee: Hebrew leka (לְךָ), emphasizing that the conjured entity is for Saul's specific benefit and counsel, highlighting his personal culpability in seeking such unlawful guidance.
• And he said: A simple declarative, marking Saul's clear and desperate command.
• Bring me up: Hebrew ha‘aleh-lî (הַעֲלֵה־לִי), the imperative Hiphil of 'alah (עָלָה), echoing the medium's phrase but now as a direct command from Saul. The lî ("for me") underscores his urgent, personal request.
• Samuel: Hebrew Shmu'el (שְׁמוּאֵל), the name of the revered prophet through whom God had previously spoken to Saul and the nation. Saul's choice of Samuel shows his desperation to reconnect with the legitimate voice of God, even if through illicit means. He seeks counsel from the very prophet who announced God's rejection of his kingship, demonstrating a futile hope for reversal or clarity.

Words-group analysis

• "Whom shall I bring up unto thee?": This entire phrase spoken by the medium solidifies the nature of the transaction. It's a question rooted in the specific forbidden practice of necromancy. Her professional terminology shows she understands her craft, even if she doesn't fully grasp the identity of her client.
• "Bring me up Samuel.": This declaration by Saul represents the pinnacle of his rebellion against God. Having been abandoned by divine communication, he willfully crosses a clear boundary set by the Mosaic Law. His desperate choice of Samuel indicates his misguided belief that a past channel of God's word, though now deceased, could somehow provide the answers he craved outside God's prescribed ways. It also shows a deep spiritual confusion and refusal to repent.

1 Samuel 28 11 Bonus section

The nature of Samuel's appearance in response to Saul's request through the medium has been a subject of theological discussion.

• Some interpretations suggest it was indeed Samuel, divinely permitted by God to appear for His own purposes, not at the medium's command. This view emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, even over demonic powers and forbidden acts, to achieve His will and deliver judgment. The terror of the medium herself (1 Sam 28:12) suggests something genuinely supernatural and unexpected happened, far beyond her normal manipulation. Furthermore, the accuracy and content of the message delivered in subsequent verses align perfectly with Samuel's prior prophetic ministry and God's consistent message to Saul, serving to further condemn Saul rather than offer comfort.
• Other views propose that it was a demonic impersonation designed to deceive or that the medium was simply a charlatan whose pronouncements were either coincidence or general knowledge. However, the vivid description of the spirit rising and the specific, divinely revealed message (including Saul's death the next day) challenges these explanations within the biblical narrative itself.The narrative's focus, regardless of the identity debate, remains on Saul's grave sin of defying God's law by seeking guidance through necromancy. It serves as a stark warning against resorting to forbidden practices when God appears silent, illustrating that the absence of divine communication does not justify spiritual transgression.

1 Samuel 28 11 Commentary

1 Samuel 28:11 marks a profound spiritual descent for King Saul. Facing God's silence, he disregards divine prohibitions against necromancy, turning to a forbidden channel out of abject fear and desperation. This verse encapsulates his complete reliance on ungodly sources, revealing his broken relationship with the LORD. The conjuring of Samuel (who indeed appears in the narrative, suggesting God's sovereignty over even forbidden acts to deliver His message) serves not to grant Saul relief, but to confirm his doom. It highlights that persistent rebellion against God's direct commands eventually leads to desperation, unlawful seeking of counsel, and inevitable destruction. This account underscores the unchanging truth that God alone is the source of all true wisdom and guidance, and seeking it through illicit means only compounds one's sin and seals one's fate.