1 samuel 28:14 - He said to her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man comes up. He is covered with a robe.” Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and showed respect.
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What does "1 samuel 28:14" mean?
This verse describes a pivotal moment in the story of Saul consulting with a medium (the Witch of Endor) to try and communicate with the deceased prophet Samuel. Let's break down the meaning:
"He said to her, 'What does he look like?'": Saul, disguised to hide his identity as king (and to avoid breaking his own decree against witchcraft), is asking the medium what she sees in her conjuration. He needs a description to confirm if it's truly Samuel she has contacted.
"She said, 'An old man comes up. He is covered with a robe.'": This is the medium's description. In ancient Israel, a robe (specifically, a mantle or tunic) was often a symbol of authority and status, especially for prophets. The fact that she describes an old man in a robe is suggestive of Samuel, who was an elderly prophet held in high regard.
"Saul perceived that it was Samuel...": Based on the medium's description, particularly the detail of the robe, Saul realizes that the spirit she has summoned is indeed Samuel. It's important to note that Saul's "perception" could be based on the description, combined with his deep desire to believe it's Samuel, and perhaps a sense of foreboding or divine confirmation.
"...and he bowed with his face to the ground, and showed respect.": Overcome with a combination of awe, fear, and perhaps a desperate hope for guidance, Saul prostrates himself before the apparition. This is a sign of deep reverence and submission, demonstrating that he still acknowledges Samuel's authority and position as a prophet of God.
In summary, this verse signifies:
Saul's desperation: He's so desperate for guidance in the face of the Philistine army that he turns to forbidden practices, demonstrating his abandonment of God's ordained methods of seeking counsel.
Confirmation (for Saul) of Samuel's presence: The description, though vague, is enough to convince Saul that he is communicating with the deceased prophet.
Saul's continued respect (despite disobedience): Even though he is defying God's law by consulting a medium, Saul still shows respect for Samuel, highlighting the complex and troubled relationship he had with the prophet in life and now in this unnatural "afterlife" encounter.
Important Theological Considerations:
It's crucial to remember that the Bible condemns necromancy (attempting to communicate with the dead). The authenticity of this encounter is debated among theologians. Some argue that it was truly Samuel that was summoned, while others believe it was a demon impersonating him. Regardless of the specific nature of the entity, the story highlights Saul's disobedience and ultimately his downfall as a result of rejecting God's ordained path.
1 samuel 28:14 - He said to her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man comes up. He is covered with a robe.” Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and showed respect.
What does "1 samuel 28:14" mean?
This verse describes a pivotal moment in the story of Saul consulting with a medium (the Witch of Endor) to try and communicate with the deceased prophet Samuel. Let's break down the meaning:
"He said to her, 'What does he look like?'": Saul, disguised to hide his identity as king (and to avoid breaking his own decree against witchcraft), is asking the medium what she sees in her conjuration. He needs a description to confirm if it's truly Samuel she has contacted.
"She said, 'An old man comes up. He is covered with a robe.'": This is the medium's description. In ancient Israel, a robe (specifically, a mantle or tunic) was often a symbol of authority and status, especially for prophets. The fact that she describes an old man in a robe is suggestive of Samuel, who was an elderly prophet held in high regard.
"Saul perceived that it was Samuel...": Based on the medium's description, particularly the detail of the robe, Saul realizes that the spirit she has summoned is indeed Samuel. It's important to note that Saul's "perception" could be based on the description, combined with his deep desire to believe it's Samuel, and perhaps a sense of foreboding or divine confirmation.
"...and he bowed with his face to the ground, and showed respect.": Overcome with a combination of awe, fear, and perhaps a desperate hope for guidance, Saul prostrates himself before the apparition. This is a sign of deep reverence and submission, demonstrating that he still acknowledges Samuel's authority and position as a prophet of God.
In summary, this verse signifies:
Saul's desperation: He's so desperate for guidance in the face of the Philistine army that he turns to forbidden practices, demonstrating his abandonment of God's ordained methods of seeking counsel.
Confirmation (for Saul) of Samuel's presence: The description, though vague, is enough to convince Saul that he is communicating with the deceased prophet.
Saul's continued respect (despite disobedience): Even though he is defying God's law by consulting a medium, Saul still shows respect for Samuel, highlighting the complex and troubled relationship he had with the prophet in life and now in this unnatural "afterlife" encounter.
Important Theological Considerations:
It's crucial to remember that the Bible condemns necromancy (attempting to communicate with the dead). The authenticity of this encounter is debated among theologians. Some argue that it was truly Samuel that was summoned, while others believe it was a demon impersonating him. Regardless of the specific nature of the entity, the story highlights Saul's disobedience and ultimately his downfall as a result of rejecting God's ordained path.