1 Samuel 28

1 Samuel 28:2

WHat thy servant] Here David again through humane frailty, equivocates, for he meant nothing lesse by this doubtfull speech, then to fight for Gods enemies against his people, as he would have Achish to understand him.

keeper of mine head] That is, captain of my life-guard, as long as we live.

1 Samuel 28:3

Samuel was dead] Chap. 25. 1. Here he prepareth a way for the following history, shewing the cause why Saul sought to a witch, namely, because he could not ask counsell of Samuel seeing he was dead.

1 Samuel 28:4

Shunem] A city situate on the borders of Issachar, Joshua 19:18. where Elisha harboured, 2 King. 4. 8, 10. and Abishag was born, 2 Kings 1:3.

Gilboa] A mountainous place neer Jazreel, where Saul and his sons were slain, Chap. 31. 1. and 2 Samuel 1:21.

1 Samuel 28:5

trembled] Out of inward guilt, thinking the time now come of his cutting off.

1 Samuel 28:6

enquired] That is, by such means as were at hand.

nor by Ʋrim] For Abiathar the high priest was with David, with the ephod and brest-plate, Chap. 23. 6. and 30. 7.

nor by prophets] That is, by no means, ordinary or extraordinary. See Numbers 12:5. 27. 21.

1 Samuel 28:7

Seek me] Contrary to Gods command, Deuteronomy 18:11. and his own conscience and practice, who had before justly destroyed them.

En-dor] A town in the tribe of Manasseh on this side Jordan. See Joshua 17:11. where many of Sisera’s sleeing souldiers perished, Psalms 83:10.

1 Samuel 28:8

disguised] To wit, lest the woman knowing him, might hide her act, and deny his request for fear of death.

up] That is, out of the ground or grave.

1 Samuel 28:9

to die] To wit, by the command of Saul.

1 Samuel 28:10

sware to her] Impiously, abusing Gods holy name, that he might encourage her to do a wicked act.

1 Samuel 28:12

saw Samuel] That is, a wicked spirit in the shape of Samuel, personating, and acting his part, as if it had been Samuel himself, contrary to that opinion, Ecclesiasticus 46. 20.

thou art Saul] For so the spirit which she had raised had told her.

1 Samuel 28:13

not afraid] That is, fear nothing, for I will not hurt thee.

I saw gods] Like an heathen she speaketh in the plurall number, though she saw but one. So Exodus 32:4. meaning a glorious and divine person like a god, for the devill can thus transform himself, 2 Corinthians 11:14.

1 Samuel 28:14

What form is he of] Heb. What is his form?

a mantle] A garment used by Samuel, and other of the prophets, 2 King. 2. 8, 13. and Chap. 15. 27.

perceived] That is, by her description, though himself saw him not.

stouped] Being deluded by the devill, he doth him this honour in stead of Samuel.

1 Samuel 28:15

bring me up] It was neither in the witches, nor in the devils power, to raise up Samuel: But God permitteth the devill to delude those, who beleeve lies, to their perdition.

by prophets] Heb. by the hand of prophets.

1 Samuel 28:16

ask me] As the devill counterfeited Samuels person and habit; so also his words and speeches in all his conference with Saul. Why doest thou seek to me for counsell, seeing I can do thee no favour, being Gods enemy.

1 Samuel 28:17

done to him] That is, to David as he promised. Others thus, for himself, that is, hath disposed his counsels to his own ends, as he spoke by Samuel, Chap. 15. 27, 28.

me] Heb. mine hand.

1 Samuel 28:19

with me] In the state of the dead, or dead as I am, So 2 Samuel 12:23.

1 Samuel 28:20

fell straight-way all along on the earth] Heb. made haste and fell with the fulnesse of his statue.

1 Samuel 28:21

put my life] That is, have adventured my life to death, to satisfie thy desire. See Judg. 12. 3.