1 samuel 28:15 - Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?” Saul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, by prophets, or by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.”
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What does "1 samuel 28:15" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 28:15 is a crucial point in the tragic story of King Saul and his impending downfall. Let's break down what it means:
"Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?”
This is the ghost of Samuel speaking, understandably upset at being summoned from the afterlife. The fact that he's even there indicates that Saul's actions are considered grave. The "disturbed me" implies the disruption of death, a realm of peace.
"Saul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me..."
Saul is in a desperate situation. The Philistines, Israel's traditional enemies, are at war with him. This external threat is the immediate cause of his anxiety.
"...and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, by prophets, or by dreams."
This is the heart of Saul's problem. He feels abandoned by God. He can no longer receive guidance through the usual channels:
Prophets: In the past, prophets like Samuel acted as intermediaries between God and the people, delivering messages and guidance.
Dreams: Dreams were considered a legitimate way for God to communicate with individuals.
The fact that God has stopped communicating with him is a devastating consequence of Saul's disobedience. This highlights a key theme of the book of Samuel: obedience to God is essential for success and divine favor.
"Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.”"
In his desperation, Saul has turned to necromancy (attempting to communicate with the dead), a practice explicitly forbidden in the Old Testament (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10-12). This action is a direct result of his feeling abandoned by God and a clear indication of his lack of faith.
He hopes Samuel's ghost can provide him with the guidance he desperately needs to win the war against the Philistines. He's seeking a solution, a way out of his predicament, from any source available.
In summary, the verse signifies:
Saul's Desperation: He's facing military defeat and feels abandoned by God.
Saul's Disobedience: He resorts to necromancy, a forbidden practice, demonstrating his lack of faith and obedience.
God's Abandonment: God has withdrawn his favor from Saul, leaving him without guidance.
Impending Doom: This episode foreshadows Saul's tragic end. His reliance on forbidden practices underscores his spiritual decline and seals his fate.
Consequences of Disobedience: The verse is a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobeying God's commands. Saul's actions have led him to this desperate situation.
This event is a pivotal moment in the narrative, highlighting Saul's downfall as a consequence of his choices and setting the stage for the rise of David.
1 samuel 28:15 - Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?” Saul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, by prophets, or by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.”
What does "1 samuel 28:15" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 28:15 is a crucial point in the tragic story of King Saul and his impending downfall. Let's break down what it means:
"Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?”
This is the ghost of Samuel speaking, understandably upset at being summoned from the afterlife. The fact that he's even there indicates that Saul's actions are considered grave. The "disturbed me" implies the disruption of death, a realm of peace.
"Saul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me..."
Saul is in a desperate situation. The Philistines, Israel's traditional enemies, are at war with him. This external threat is the immediate cause of his anxiety.
"...and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, by prophets, or by dreams."
This is the heart of Saul's problem. He feels abandoned by God. He can no longer receive guidance through the usual channels:
Prophets: In the past, prophets like Samuel acted as intermediaries between God and the people, delivering messages and guidance.
Dreams: Dreams were considered a legitimate way for God to communicate with individuals.
The fact that God has stopped communicating with him is a devastating consequence of Saul's disobedience. This highlights a key theme of the book of Samuel: obedience to God is essential for success and divine favor.
"Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.”"
In his desperation, Saul has turned to necromancy (attempting to communicate with the dead), a practice explicitly forbidden in the Old Testament (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10-12). This action is a direct result of his feeling abandoned by God and a clear indication of his lack of faith.
He hopes Samuel's ghost can provide him with the guidance he desperately needs to win the war against the Philistines. He's seeking a solution, a way out of his predicament, from any source available.
In summary, the verse signifies:
Saul's Desperation: He's facing military defeat and feels abandoned by God.
Saul's Disobedience: He resorts to necromancy, a forbidden practice, demonstrating his lack of faith and obedience.
God's Abandonment: God has withdrawn his favor from Saul, leaving him without guidance.
Impending Doom: This episode foreshadows Saul's tragic end. His reliance on forbidden practices underscores his spiritual decline and seals his fate.
Consequences of Disobedience: The verse is a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobeying God's commands. Saul's actions have led him to this desperate situation.
This event is a pivotal moment in the narrative, highlighting Saul's downfall as a consequence of his choices and setting the stage for the rise of David.