1 samuel 28:12 - When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!”
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What does "1 samuel 28:12" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 28:12 is a pivotal moment in the story of Saul's desperate attempt to contact the deceased prophet Samuel. Let's break down its meaning:
Context: Saul, facing a Philistine army and feeling abandoned by God, seeks guidance from the prophet Samuel. However, Samuel is dead. In desperation, Saul disguises himself and seeks out a medium/witch at Endor, a practice he previously outlawed in Israel. He asks her to conjure Samuel's spirit.
"When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice...": This is a critical point. The woman (medium/witch) is genuinely shocked and terrified when she sees Samuel's spirit. The text implies that whatever she usually does, it isn't normally this potent or real. It suggests that she wasn't expecting an actual appearance of Samuel, or at least not with such power and clarity. It raises questions about the true nature of the event. Was it a demonic imitation, a genuine (though divinely unauthorized) resurrection, or something else?
"...and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!”": This is the woman's immediate reaction. She realizes she has been tricked. Here's what's happening:
"Why have you deceived me?": Saul came to her in disguise, presumably to avoid being recognized as the king (since he had previously banned such practices). The woman feels betrayed and fears the consequences of unknowingly helping the king do something he had forbidden.
"For you are Saul!": The appearance of Samuel's spirit has somehow revealed Saul's true identity to her. Some interpretations suggest Samuel himself identified Saul to her; others that his presence caused her to see through Saul's disguise. It is also plausible that she had a suspicion already and the supernatural event confirmed it.
In summary, the verse signifies:
The unexpected potency of the event: The woman's terror indicates something extraordinary is happening, more than her usual tricks.
Saul's desperation: His disguise and seeking out the medium underscore his fear and abandonment.
The woman's exposure and fear: She is now in a dangerous position, having broken Saul's law and been deceived by the king himself.
Interpretations and Theological Implications:
This passage is one of the most debated in the Old Testament. Some interpretations include:
A Genuine Appearance of Samuel: Some believe that God, in his sovereignty, allowed Samuel to appear, perhaps to deliver a final condemnation of Saul.
A Demonic Impersonation: Others argue that it was a demon masquerading as Samuel, deceiving Saul and the woman.
A Psychological Phenomenon: Some modern interpretations suggest the woman may have been a skilled psychological manipulator who, upon recognizing Saul's voice or demeanor, played upon his fears and guilt. Her "vision" could be a carefully constructed performance based on her knowledge of Saul and Samuel.
The Power of Spiritualism: Another view is that the spiritual realm is real and the woman did make contact with a spirit but it was not Samuel, and the spirit was able to expose Saul.
The significance of the verse ultimately depends on one's theological perspective and how one understands the nature of the supernatural and the relationship between God and the spirit world. Regardless, it marks a critical turning point in the story of Saul, leading to his demise.
1 samuel 28:12 - When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!”
What does "1 samuel 28:12" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 28:12 is a pivotal moment in the story of Saul's desperate attempt to contact the deceased prophet Samuel. Let's break down its meaning:
Context: Saul, facing a Philistine army and feeling abandoned by God, seeks guidance from the prophet Samuel. However, Samuel is dead. In desperation, Saul disguises himself and seeks out a medium/witch at Endor, a practice he previously outlawed in Israel. He asks her to conjure Samuel's spirit.
"When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice...": This is a critical point. The woman (medium/witch) is genuinely shocked and terrified when she sees Samuel's spirit. The text implies that whatever she usually does, it isn't normally this potent or real. It suggests that she wasn't expecting an actual appearance of Samuel, or at least not with such power and clarity. It raises questions about the true nature of the event. Was it a demonic imitation, a genuine (though divinely unauthorized) resurrection, or something else?
"...and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!”": This is the woman's immediate reaction. She realizes she has been tricked. Here's what's happening:
"Why have you deceived me?": Saul came to her in disguise, presumably to avoid being recognized as the king (since he had previously banned such practices). The woman feels betrayed and fears the consequences of unknowingly helping the king do something he had forbidden.
"For you are Saul!": The appearance of Samuel's spirit has somehow revealed Saul's true identity to her. Some interpretations suggest Samuel himself identified Saul to her; others that his presence caused her to see through Saul's disguise. It is also plausible that she had a suspicion already and the supernatural event confirmed it.
In summary, the verse signifies:
The unexpected potency of the event: The woman's terror indicates something extraordinary is happening, more than her usual tricks.
Saul's desperation: His disguise and seeking out the medium underscore his fear and abandonment.
The woman's exposure and fear: She is now in a dangerous position, having broken Saul's law and been deceived by the king himself.
Interpretations and Theological Implications:
This passage is one of the most debated in the Old Testament. Some interpretations include:
A Genuine Appearance of Samuel: Some believe that God, in his sovereignty, allowed Samuel to appear, perhaps to deliver a final condemnation of Saul.
A Demonic Impersonation: Others argue that it was a demon masquerading as Samuel, deceiving Saul and the woman.
A Psychological Phenomenon: Some modern interpretations suggest the woman may have been a skilled psychological manipulator who, upon recognizing Saul's voice or demeanor, played upon his fears and guilt. Her "vision" could be a carefully constructed performance based on her knowledge of Saul and Samuel.
The Power of Spiritualism: Another view is that the spiritual realm is real and the woman did make contact with a spirit but it was not Samuel, and the spirit was able to expose Saul.
The significance of the verse ultimately depends on one's theological perspective and how one understands the nature of the supernatural and the relationship between God and the spirit world. Regardless, it marks a critical turning point in the story of Saul, leading to his demise.