1 Samuel 28 20

1 Samuel 28:20 kjv

Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

1 Samuel 28:20 nkjv

Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night.

1 Samuel 28:20 niv

Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel's words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.

1 Samuel 28:20 esv

Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.

1 Samuel 28:20 nlt

Saul fell full length on the ground, paralyzed with fright because of Samuel's words. He was also faint with hunger, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.

1 Samuel 28 verses

1 Samuel 28 20 Meaning

This verse dramatically depicts the immediate and total physical and psychological collapse of King Saul. Upon hearing the terrifying prophecy from Samuel, his deepest fears were confirmed, shattering his remaining resolve and strength. The collapse, "full length on the ground," signifies utter devastation and despair, while his prolonged fasting points to severe mental anguish that had physically consumed him.

1 Samuel 28 20 Context

1 Samuel 28:20 describes the climax of King Saul's spiritual and physical downfall. Following God's refusal to answer him through traditional means (dreams, Urim, or prophets), and with the looming Philistine battle, Saul, in desperation, sought a forbidden necromantic consultation at Endor. This action, directly against God's law and his own past decrees, exposed his complete spiritual bankruptcy. The medium, after seeing a spirit she identifies as Samuel, recounts the Lord's decision to strip Saul of his kingdom and hand it to David, and more immediately, that Israel would be defeated and Saul and his sons would die the very next day. Verse 20 vividly captures Saul's reaction to this crushing prophecy: a full and complete collapse.

Historically, this event occurs at the end of Saul's reign, when the Philistine threat was severe, highlighting Saul's failing leadership. It underlines the stark contrast between God's chosen king (David) and the king God rejected. Ancient Near Eastern cultures often engaged in necromancy, believing communication with the dead was possible, but the Mosaic Law strictly prohibited it as an abomination, signifying rejection of Yahweh's authority and reliance on forbidden power. Saul's action here is a poignant example of his deep rebellion.

1 Samuel 28 20 Word analysis

• Then Saul fell full length: The Hebrew phrase is וַיִּפֹּל שָׁאוּל מְלֹא קוֹמָתוֹ (vayyippol Sha’ul melo qomato).
  • וַיִּפֹּל (vayyippol): "And he fell," from the root נָפַל (naphal), meaning to fall, lie, or prostrate. This immediate and abrupt falling emphasizes the shock and impact of Samuel's words.
  • מְלֹא קוֹמָתוֹ (m'lo qomato): Literally "fullness of his stature/height." This signifies falling utterly prostrate, completely stretched out on the ground, often implying submission, despair, or extreme weakness. It’s a complete physical collapse, reflecting a spiritual and emotional one.
• on the ground: No special significance here other than the surface he collapsed onto. It underscores the low point he reached.
• filled with fear: The Hebrew is וַיִּפַּחֵד מְאֹד (vayyippached me'od), "and he feared greatly."
  • וַיִּפַּחֵד (vayyippached): From the root פָחַד (pachad), meaning to dread, be in terror, or be afraid. This is not mere apprehension but an overwhelming, trembling fear that deeply penetrates one's being, bordering on panic or horror.
  • מְאֹד (me'od): "Greatly," or "exceedingly." This intensifies the fear, showing its immense impact on Saul.
• because of Samuel's words: Hebrew: מִדִּבְרֵי שְׁמוּאֵל (middiverei Shmu'el), "from the words of Samuel." These words carried the weight of divine judgment and the certain seal of his impending doom. It was the truth of his fate, delivered through a prophet, that broke him entirely.
• His strength was gone: Hebrew: וְגַם-כֹּחַ אֵין בּוֹ (v'gam-ko'ach ein bo), "and also strength was not in him."
  • כֹּחַ (koach): "Strength," "power," "might." This can refer to physical strength, vitality, or even moral/spiritual resolve. Here, it suggests a complete loss of all energy and will.
  • אֵין בּוֹ (ein bo): "Not in him," or "no longer within him." This absolute statement confirms his total depletion.
• for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night: This provides a physiological explanation for his extreme weakness, linking his mental anguish directly to physical debilitation. Saul had been in such deep distress, consumed by fear and desperation over the impending battle and God's silence, that he neglected basic sustenance. This self-imposed "fast" was not for repentance, but a result of his inner turmoil and foreboding.

• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "Then Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel's words": This phrase details Saul's immediate and catastrophic response to the prophecy. His physical posture of lying utterly prostrate on the ground signifies utter defeat, humiliation, and a crushing sense of dread. The source of this profound fear is clearly identified as the prophetic pronouncements of Samuel, which brought a terrifying divine certainty to Saul's predicament.
  • "His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night": This second part explains the physical component of Saul's collapse. His body had failed him, mirroring his spiritual failure. The lack of food for an extended period indicates intense anxiety, despair, or perhaps a pre-battle 'fast' born out of fear rather than faith. This sustained period of no food depleted him, making him more susceptible to a physical collapse under extreme emotional distress.

1 Samuel 28 20 Bonus section

The passage draws a stark contrast with David's posture of humility and repentance (e.g., when confronted by Nathan in 2 Sam 12:16, David "pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground"). Saul's prostration here is from terror and weakness, not from contrition. Saul's fasting, therefore, is distinct; it is not a seeking after God but a consequence of his own inner turmoil and foreboding. Some interpretations suggest the "Samuel" who appeared was an evil spirit masquerading as Samuel to further Saul's deception; regardless, Saul believed it was Samuel, and the devastating impact of the words was real and divine in origin. The scene powerfully shows how an unchecked, disobedient heart eventually drains one of all spiritual and physical strength, leaving only fear and collapse in the face of inevitable divine judgment.

1 Samuel 28 20 Commentary

1 Samuel 28:20 presents the culmination of Saul's tragic story: his utter physical and spiritual collapse. The phrase "fell full length on the ground" speaks of complete devastation, a stark reversal of his former regal stature. This wasn't a worshipful prostration but a collapse from terror and despair. The weight of Samuel's prophetic words – God's explicit judgment and the promise of impending doom – completely broke him. His fear was intensified by the undeniable reality of God's rejection and the certainty of his downfall. The mention of his sustained fast highlights the depth of his anxiety; he was so consumed by his dire situation that he could not even eat, further weakening him. This scene vividly illustrates the dire consequences of persistent rebellion against God's word and highlights how deep spiritual distress can manifest in acute physical debilitation. It stands as a somber warning of the ultimate fate of those who refuse to humble themselves and obey the divine will.

• Examples: Saul's physical and emotional breakdown here can be compared to individuals facing crushing news, where their bodies might give out from shock or fear. Think of a student who collapses after receiving news of failing a critical exam that seals their career fate, or a leader whose defiant stand crumbles when confronted with irrefutable evidence of their impending ruin.