What does 1 Samuel 28:6 mean?
"And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets." - 1 Samuel 28:6
The verse 1 Samuel 28:6 from the King James Version of the Bible states, "And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets."
This verse comes from the book of 1 Samuel, which tells the story of the transition of Israel from the rule of judges to the establishment of a monarchy. In this particular verse, we see King Saul, who is facing a dire situation as the Philistine army is preparing to attack Israel. Feeling overwhelmed and desperate, Saul seeks guidance from the Lord, but receives no answer.
The context of this passage is crucial to understanding its significance. Saul was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel, but his reign was marked by disobedience and a lack of trust in God. Throughout the book of 1 Samuel, we see Saul’s repeated disobedience to God’s commands, which ultimately leads to his downfall. As a result, God withdraws his guidance and presence from Saul, causing him to seek answers through forbidden means, as we see in this verse.
Saul’s desperation leads him to seek guidance from a medium, despite the fact that he had previously banished all mediums and necromancers from the land (1 Samuel 28:3-9). This action was in direct violation of the Mosaic Law, which prohibited consulting with mediums or seeking guidance from the dead (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Saul’s decision to consult a medium is a clear demonstration of his lack of faith and his disregard for God's commands.
This verse holds several important themes, one of them being the consequence of disobedience. Throughout the Bible, we see the recurring theme that disobedience to God's commands leads to negative consequences. Saul’s repeated disobedience to God led to God turning His back on Saul when he sought His guidance. This serves as a warning to all believers about the consequences of walking away from God and seeking guidance through ungodly means.
Another theme in this passage is the sovereignty of God. Even in Saul’s darkest hour, God remained in control. Despite Saul’s disobedience, God’s plan continued to unfold, and His ultimate purposes were still achieved. This serves as a reminder that God’s plans are never thwarted by human actions, and His sovereignty remains unchallenged.
The symbolism in this verse lies in Saul’s futile attempts to seek guidance from other sources after God had turned away from him. His failed attempts with dreams, Urim, and prophets, demonstrate that there is no substitute for seeking God’s will and guidance. It also reveals that when one strays from God’s path, seeking worldly solutions will ultimately lead to spiritual emptiness and despair.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 28:6 is a powerful verse that serves as a warning about the consequences of disobedience and the futility of seeking guidance from sources other than God. It reminds us of the importance of remaining obedient to God’s commands and seeking His guidance above all else. Additionally, it highlights the sovereignty of God and His ultimate control over all things, even in the face of human disobedience. As believers, we can learn from Saul’s mistakes and remember that God’s guidance is the only true source of wisdom and direction.
Have questions about 1 Samuel 28:6?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
1 Samuel 28:6 Artwork
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."
"And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets." - 1 Samuel 28:6
1 Chronicles 6:28 - "And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah."
"And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah." - 1 Chronicles 6:28
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 Samuel 28:11 - "Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel."
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 14:6
1 Kings 6:28 - "And he overlaid the cherubims with gold."
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 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 8:6 - "¶ But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD."
1 Samuel 6:1 - "And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months."
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."
2 Samuel 6:14
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 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."
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."