1 Samuel 28 5

1 Samuel 28:5 kjv

And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

1 Samuel 28:5 nkjv

When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.

1 Samuel 28:5 niv

When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart.

1 Samuel 28:5 esv

When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.

1 Samuel 28:5 nlt

When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear.

1 Samuel 28 verses

1 Samuel 28 5 Meaning

This verse succinctly captures King Saul's intense terror upon seeing the amassed Philistine forces. It portrays not mere apprehension, but a profound, overwhelming fear that seized him deeply, reflecting his spiritual state and the crisis facing Israel.

1 Samuel 28 5 Context

1 Samuel 28:5 is situated in a pivotal moment marking the culmination of King Saul's tragic reign. Chapter 28 opens with the Philistines gathering a massive army at Shunem to fight Israel. Israel, under Saul, has camped at Gilboa. Samuel, the prophet who anointed Saul, is dead, removing a critical divine intermediary for Saul. David, anointed by Samuel to replace Saul, has sought refuge among the Philistines themselves, further highlighting Saul's isolation and weakening position. This verse follows directly from the recognition that "the Philistines mustered their forces for war" (v. 4) and precedes Saul's desperate, unanswered inquiries to the Lord and his subsequent turning to the forbidden practice of necromancy at Endor. Historically, the Philistines represented a persistent, powerful enemy to Israel, often technologically superior, possessing iron weaponry. Spiritually, Saul's profound fear here is a direct consequence of his sustained disobedience, the departure of the Spirit of the Lord from him, and God's resultant silence. It sets the stage for his final, futile actions.

1 Samuel 28 5 Word analysis

• When Saul saw (וַיַּרְא שָׁאוּל - vayyar' sha'ul):
  • vayyar' (saw): This implies apprehension and full realization of the threat. It suggests more than a casual glance, reflecting the ominous nature of the Philistine gathering in Saul's eyes.
  • sha'ul (Saul): The king of Israel, who was once empowered by God's Spirit. His current state of profound fear underscores his fall from grace and the loss of divine favor and confidence.
• the Philistine camp (אֶת־מַחֲנֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים - 'et-makhaneh pəlishtiym):
  • makhaneh (camp): Refers to a disciplined, organized military encampment, signifying overwhelming numbers and preparation for a major engagement.
  • Pəlishtiym (Philistines): Israel's longstanding, formidable enemies. They frequently symbolize the forces of the world opposing God's people and highlight Saul's failure to trust God for victory against them.
• he was afraid (וַיִּירָא - vayyira'):
  • yira' (was afraid): From the root יָרֵא, meaning to fear or be terrified. Here, it denotes paralyzing, overwhelming terror. This contrasts sharply with the "fear of the Lord," which is reverential and foundational to wisdom; Saul's fear is carnal and destructive.
• and his heart trembled greatly (וַיֶּחֱרַד לִבּוֹ מְאֹד - vayyecherad libbo mə'ōd):
  • vayyecherad (trembled): From the root חָרַד (chārad), meaning to tremble, quake, be agitated, or be in terror. It indicates a visceral, involuntary physical and emotional reaction.
  • libbo (his heart): Lev (לֵב) in Hebrew refers to the innermost being—the seat of intellect, emotion, will, and conscience. Saul's fear permeated his entire being, signifying utter despondency.
  • me'ōd (greatly): This adverb intensifies "trembled," emphasizing the extreme degree of Saul's fear, conveying a terror that was absolute and debilitating.

• "When Saul saw the Philistine camp": This phrase immediately establishes the visual catalyst for Saul's profound emotional state. The mere sight of the enemy precipitates his inner collapse, underscoring his reliance on outward circumstances rather than inward faith and divine counsel.
• "he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly": This uses a rhetorical device for intensification, vividly describing not just the emotion of fear, but its deep, pervasive physical and psychological impact. It illustrates a terror so profound that it caused a king, who should embody courage, to be completely unsettled and incapacitated within his core being, highlighting his spiritual void without God's comforting presence.

1 Samuel 28 5 Bonus section

This verse sharply contrasts Saul's current state with earlier moments of his reign, such as his anointing (1 Sam 10) or his deliverance of Jabesh-Gilead (1 Sam 11), when the Spirit of the LORD empowered him with courage. His profound fear here reveals the complete withdrawal of divine anointing and favor. The king, who should embody strength rooted in divine reliance, instead embodies debilitating terror, highlighting how the "fear of man" can ensnare and debilitate those who have forsaken the "fear of the LORD." This psychological and spiritual collapse sets the stage for Saul's final, desperate attempt to seek counsel through forbidden means, sealing his tragic fate.

1 Samuel 28 5 Commentary

This concise verse profoundly illustrates the devastating consequences of Saul's prolonged spiritual decline and estrangement from God. His fear is not merely a natural reaction to a superior foe, but a spiritual one, amplified by the absence of God's sustaining presence. Once empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, Saul is now terrified, consumed by human fear because God has departed from him. His trembling heart reflects an inner void, a lack of divine confidence and the peace that comes from trusting the Almighty. This profound dread directly precedes his desperate act of consulting the medium of Endor, a clear violation of God's commands, revealing the extent of his spiritual desperation and moral failure. It serves as a stark warning: turning from the Lord leaves one vulnerable, defenseless, and utterly without hope in the face of life's daunting challenges.