1 Samuel 28:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.

NIV: Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.

NASB: Then Saul immediately fell full length to the ground and was very afraid because of Samuel’s words; there was no strength in him either, because he had eaten no food all day and all night.

CSB: Immediately, Saul fell flat on the ground. He was terrified by Samuel’s words and was also weak because he had not eaten anything all day and all night.

NLT: Saul fell full length on the ground, paralyzed with fright because of Samuel’s words. He was also faint with hunger, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.

KJV: Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

NKJV: Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night.

Israel's first king, Saul, had been afraid. Now he confirms that he had good reasons for the angst. He had looked out at the Philistine army and suspected the Israelites couldn't win. God refused to respond to Saul's calls, and Saul desperately wanted to talk to Samuel. Since Samuel is dead, he went to a medium (1 Samuel 28:3–7).

The great lengths Saul took to hear from his old mentor Samuel didn't help him in the end. Either through the work of the medium at En-dor—or despite her—the Lord allowed a spirit to speak to Saul from beyond the grave. The message only confirmed what Saul should have known all along: In response to his disobedience, the Lord has rejected Saul as king (1 Samuel 28:17–18). Far worse, Saul and his sons will fall to the Philistines the very next day (1 Samuel 28:19).

Now the full weight of Samuel's words falls on Saul, and he falls face-down on the ground in fear. His condition is made worse by the fact that he hasn't eaten anything for a day and a night (1 Samuel 14:24). Once again, Saul is revealed to be both religious and disobedient, falsely believing that the ritual practice of his religion matters more to the Lord than his trust and obedience in what God says.

His foil is the man God has chosen to replace him. David won't always follow God or make wise choices, but unlike Saul, he will truly repent to God. Saul regretted and even apologized, but he never changed his behavior to honor God. Now, it's too late.

First Samuel 28:20–25 records King Saul's last known meal on earth. This gives him just enough strength to meet his doom. He's about to face the combined armies of the Philistines. Samuel's spirit has told him the Philistines will win, and Saul and his sons will die (1 Samuel 28:3–19). Saul hasn't eaten and collapses on the ground. The witch prepares them food, and she and his servants convince him to eat. The next day, three of Saul's sons, including Jonathan, will die. When Saul is wounded, he will fall on his sword (1 Samuel 31). Because of Saul's rebellion against God, David will be king.

Israelites and the Philistines prepare for war. The Philistine king Achish demands that David fight with him against Israel. Terrified at the amassed Philistine army and unable to reach the Lord for help, Saul finds a medium to contact Samuel's spirit. Samuel repeats that the Lord has taken the kingdom from Saul and adds that Saul and his sons will fall, along with Israel, the next day. The medium serves Saul and his men a large meal, and the men leave under the cover of darkness. David is saved from having to fight his own people, but Saul and his sons do die. David will soon be king (1 Samuel 29; 31).

David and his men have escaped Saul (1 Samuel 27) and begun been fighting Israel's enemies under the protection of the Philistine king Achish (1 Samuel 28). Now, Achish wants David to fight Israel with him. Saul sees the Philistine army and is terrified. He finds a medium to call up Samuel's spirit. Samuel tells Saul that he, his sons, and Israel will fall. Fortunately, the other Philistine kings refuse to fight with David, and Achish sends him home. But Saul's sons are killed. Mortally wounded, Saul will take his own life (1 Samuel 29; 31).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.