Keraia
1 Samuel 28

1 Samuel 28:3

The Philistines Gather against Israel · 1 Samuel 28:1–6
Read 1 Samuel 28

Translations

Modern
Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, even in his city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land.
Latin
Samuel autem mortuus est, planxitque eum omnis Israël, et sepelierunt eum in Ramatha urbe sua. Et Saul abstulit magos et hariolos de terra.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.

Notes

1 Samuel 28:3

had removed … from the land: Saul had either forced most mediums (people who claimed they could communicate with the spirits of the dead) to leave the land or put them to death. Or he had made necromancy (the practice of trying to speak with the dead) illegal (see study note on 1 Samuel 28:9).

1 Samuel 28:3–14

Saul consulted the dead, a practice forbidden by God’s law (see Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:9–11).

Theme notes and profiles

Samuel Saul Calling up the Dead

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Samuel: Prophet and last judge of Israel before the kings Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Places

Mizpah: A city in Benjamin; a place of gathering and judgment

Glossary

Ramah Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Sheol Shunem

Topics

Divination: Practised by Wizards Familiar Spirits: Those Who Consulted: Saul Ramah: Also Called Ramathaim-Zophim: Samuel Dies and Was Buried In Samuel: Called up by the Witch of Endor Saul: King of Israel: His Kingdom Invaded by Philistines Witchcraft: Witches Destroyed