1 Samuel 28:9
ESV
The woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?"
NIV
But the woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?"
NASB
But the woman said to him, 'Behold, you know what Saul has done, that he has eliminated the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you then setting a trap for my life, to bring about my death?'
CSB
But the woman said to him, "You surely know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you setting a trap for me to get me killed?"
NLT
Are you trying to get me killed?' the woman demanded. 'You know that Saul has outlawed all the mediums and all who consult the spirits of the dead. Why are you setting a trap for me?'
KJV
And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
NKJV
Then the woman said to him, “Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?”
What does 1 Samuel 28:9 mean?
Saul is facing an unbeatable force of Philistine soldiers. God won't talk to him or the prophets. But God always talked to Samuel. Unfortunately, Samuel's dead (1 Samuel 25:1; 28:3). Saul figures there's one chance he may be able to contact his old mentor (1 Samuel 28:5–7).Saul disguises himself and goes to a woman who practices necromancy. She follows Canaanite rituals and customs to attempt to call up the spirits of the dead. God calls this a detestable practice in the Law and forbids His people from participating in it (Deuteronomy 18:9–12). In obedience to this command, Saul had prosecuted all mediums and necromancers in Israel. This likely meant putting to death those who were caught (1 Samuel 28:3). Yet Saul now stands before this woman in the middle of the night asking her to do exactly what he had outlawed. She knows something isn't right and accuses Saul of trying to trick her into revealing that she's a medium so that she can be arrested and executed.
Saul reassures her that she won't be hurt. But when Samuel, the prophet of God and the last judge of Israel, comes forth, she knows the stranger is Saul and she fears for her life (1 Samuel 28:10–12).
