Saul’s fear drove him to break his own decree, revealing the fragile state of his faith.
In this passage, “When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, ‘Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul?’” (v.12), the scene unfolds in Endor, a village situated on the northern side of the Jezreel Valley in ancient Israel. The text highlights the moment when this medium—sometimes referred to as the “witch of Endor”—realizes that her client is Saul, the first king of Israel, who ruled from approximately 1050 BC to 1010 BC. Saul had disguised himself out of desperation because he was seeking guidance, even though he had previously banned such practices from the land (1 Samuel 28:3). In this verse, the woman’s startling cry reflects both her shock and fear once she recognizes Saul’s true identity.
“When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul...” (v.12) underscores the unexpectedness of the appearance of Samuel—God’s prophet who had anointed Saul as king. Historically, Samuel likely lived in the latter part of the eleventh century BC. His role throughout Israel’s history was crucial, serving as the last of Israel's judges before the monarchy. In this moment, the woman sees an apparition resembling Samuel, prompting her loud exclamation. Her reaction may also underscore the seriousness with which the ancient world viewed communication with the departed, as well as the consequences of dabbling in forbidden practices (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
Finally, the woman’s words—“Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul?” (v.12)—point to the king’s own internal turmoil. Although Saul was officially enforcing the ban on mediums and spiritists, he secretly sought out the very thing he had outlawed. This verse illustrates the king’s waning trust in the Lord, foreshadowing tragic outcomes later in the narrative. In the New Testament, this theme of seeking guidance outside of God can be compared to Jesus’ call to place total trust in God rather than in human or spiritual intermediaries (Matthew 6:33).
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1 Samuel 28:12 meaning
In this passage, “When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, ‘Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul?’” (v.12), the scene unfolds in Endor, a village situated on the northern side of the Jezreel Valley in ancient Israel. The text highlights the moment when this medium—sometimes referred to as the “witch of Endor”—realizes that her client is Saul, the first king of Israel, who ruled from approximately 1050 BC to 1010 BC. Saul had disguised himself out of desperation because he was seeking guidance, even though he had previously banned such practices from the land (1 Samuel 28:3). In this verse, the woman’s startling cry reflects both her shock and fear once she recognizes Saul’s true identity.
“When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul...” (v.12) underscores the unexpectedness of the appearance of Samuel—God’s prophet who had anointed Saul as king. Historically, Samuel likely lived in the latter part of the eleventh century BC. His role throughout Israel’s history was crucial, serving as the last of Israel's judges before the monarchy. In this moment, the woman sees an apparition resembling Samuel, prompting her loud exclamation. Her reaction may also underscore the seriousness with which the ancient world viewed communication with the departed, as well as the consequences of dabbling in forbidden practices (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
Finally, the woman’s words—“Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul?” (v.12)—point to the king’s own internal turmoil. Although Saul was officially enforcing the ban on mediums and spiritists, he secretly sought out the very thing he had outlawed. This verse illustrates the king’s waning trust in the Lord, foreshadowing tragic outcomes later in the narrative. In the New Testament, this theme of seeking guidance outside of God can be compared to Jesus’ call to place total trust in God rather than in human or spiritual intermediaries (Matthew 6:33).