What does 1 Samuel 28:11 mean?
"Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel." - 1 Samuel 28:11
The verse 1 Samuel 28:11 from the King James Version Bible states, "Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel." This verse is part of a larger narrative in the book of 1 Samuel, which follows the story of Samuel, a prophet and judge in ancient Israel, and Saul, the first king of Israel.
In this particular verse, Saul is seeking the help of a medium, the witch of Endor, to summon the spirit of Samuel, who has already died. This act was forbidden in the law of Moses and was especially forbidden for a king, but Saul was willing to do anything to gain an advantage in his impending battle with the Philistines.
This verse takes place during a time of great turmoil and disobedience in the kingdom of Israel. Saul had been rejected by God as king due to his disobedience, and God had chosen David as his replacement. Throughout the book of 1 Samuel, we see Saul's increasing desperation and moral decline as he seeks to maintain his power and position.
The key themes of this verse revolve around the consequences of disobedience, the dangers of seeking forbidden knowledge and power, and the consequences of turning away from God. The act of consulting a medium was not only in direct violation of God's commands but also reflected Saul's lack of faith and trust in God. Instead of turning to God for guidance and strength, Saul sought the help of forbidden sources, demonstrating his disregard for God's authority and his lack of repentance for his previous sins.
The context of this verse is essential to understanding its significance. In the larger narrative of 1 Samuel, Saul's disobedience and downfall are contrasted with David's humble obedience and eventual rise to kingship. This verse serves as a poignant example of the consequences of turning away from God and seeking out forbidden knowledge and power.
The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The act of summoning Samuel's spirit through a medium represents a desperate attempt to gain guidance and reassurance, even in defiance of God's will. It symbolizes the lengths to which people will go to hold onto power and control, even if it means turning away from God and His commands. The medium herself represents the dangers of trying to manipulate and control supernatural forces for one's own purposes, rather than submitting to God's will and authority.
Ultimately, this verse serves as a warning against disobedience and the dangers of seeking out forbidden sources of guidance and power. It highlights the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God, and the consequences of turning away from His will. The story of Saul and the witch of Endor serves as a powerful reminder of the perils of seeking out supernatural power apart from God and the ultimate futility of trying to defy His will.
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1 Samuel 28:11 - "Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel."
"Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel." - 1 Samuel 28:11
1 Samuel 28:15
1 Samuel 28:7
1 Samuel 28:15-19
1 Samuel 28:15-20
1 Samuel 28:15 Saul is desperate
1 Chronicles 6:28 - "And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah."
1 Samuel 28:16 - "Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?"
1 Samuel 18:28 - "¶ And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him."
1 Samuel 28:12 - "And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul."
1 Samuel 20:28 - "And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:"
1 Samuel 28:5 - "And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled."
1 Samuel 11:14 - "Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there."
1 Chronicles 11:28 - "Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite,"
1 Samuel 15:28 - "And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou."
1 Samuel 28:10 - "And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing."
1 Samuel 28:20 - "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 28:6 - "And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets."
1 Samuel 30:28 - "And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa,"
1 Samuel 22:11-13
1 Samuel 1:28 - "Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there."
1 Samuel 23:28 - "Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth."
1 Samuel 28:4 - "And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa."
1 Samuel 28:25 - "And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night."
"And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah." - 1 Chronicles 6:28
1 Samuel 28:3 - "¶ Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land."
1 Samuel 28:14 - "And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself."
1 Samuel 3:11 - "¶ And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle."
1 Corinthians 11:28 - "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."