1 Samuel 28:4
ESV
The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa.
NIV
The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa.
NASB
So the Philistines assembled and came and camped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they camped in Gilboa.
CSB
The Philistines gathered and camped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel, and they camped at Gilboa.
NLT
The Philistines set up their camp at Shunem, and Saul gathered all the army of Israel and camped at Gilboa.
KJV
And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.
NKJV
Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa.
What does 1 Samuel 28:4 mean?
The Philistines are once again preparing for battle against the Israelites. Their goal is to take back control of the entire region. The massive Philistine army assembles at Shunem, in the northern part of Israel, south and west of the Sea of Galilee. The town is also on the southwest side of the Hill of Moreh, which sits in the middle of the Valley of Jezreel. Saul amasses an army of all of Israel and establishes a base at Mount Gilboa on the south end of the Valley. The two camps are not far apart.When Saul sees the joined armies, he doesn't know what to do. No prophet of God offers guidance. God isn't giving him dreams. He's killed an entire city of priests (1 Samuel 22; 28:5–6). Everyone, including Saul, knows God's favor is now with David (1 Samuel 24:20). And he knows that God will allow enemies to overtake Sauil almost at will (1 Samuel 26:6–12).
Despite Saul's pattern of ignoring God's commands, he still wants Samuel's guidance. The only way he knows of to that is through a necromancer (1 Samuel 28:7).
