Saul’s disregard for God’s commands results in his kingship being stripped away, fulfilling the divine pronouncement that David would inherit the kingdom.
Saul, Israel’s first king (circa 1050-1010 BC), finds himself in desperate fear of the Philistine army and seeks out a medium at Endor for guidance. In doing so, he violates God’s command against consulting spiritists and reveals the depths of his disobedience. He requests that the medium call up the prophet Samuel, who had anointed Saul as king many years prior. Saul hopes for a favorable word, but instead receives a sobering reminder that the LORD has departed from him because of his repeated failures to follow God’s ways (1 Samuel 15:24-28).
In the midst of this confrontation, Samuel’s spirit proclaims, “The LORD has done accordingly as He spoke through me; for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David.” (v.17). God had earlier declared that He would remove the throne from Saul because of his rebellious actions, symbolically displaying this judgment through the tearing of Saul’s robe (1 Samuel 15:27-28). Here, Samuel’s words confirm that the kingdom truly belongs to David (circa 1010-970 BC), who will become Israel’s next king and lead the people under God’s favor.
This verse underscores the seriousness of rejecting the LORD’s instructions. Saul’s disobedience cost him his royal lineage and his standing before God, while David was elevated in his place. It also highlights that divine authority and leadership come from God alone, and those who fail to honor His covenant are subject to His righteous judgment. Ultimately, the prophecy points forward to the greater work God would do through David’s line, culminating in the Messiah (Matthew 1:1-17), although here in Saul’s lifetime it meant the immediate end of his sovereignty and blessing.
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1 Samuel 28:17 meaning
Saul, Israel’s first king (circa 1050-1010 BC), finds himself in desperate fear of the Philistine army and seeks out a medium at Endor for guidance. In doing so, he violates God’s command against consulting spiritists and reveals the depths of his disobedience. He requests that the medium call up the prophet Samuel, who had anointed Saul as king many years prior. Saul hopes for a favorable word, but instead receives a sobering reminder that the LORD has departed from him because of his repeated failures to follow God’s ways (1 Samuel 15:24-28).
In the midst of this confrontation, Samuel’s spirit proclaims, “The LORD has done accordingly as He spoke through me; for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David.” (v.17). God had earlier declared that He would remove the throne from Saul because of his rebellious actions, symbolically displaying this judgment through the tearing of Saul’s robe (1 Samuel 15:27-28). Here, Samuel’s words confirm that the kingdom truly belongs to David (circa 1010-970 BC), who will become Israel’s next king and lead the people under God’s favor.
This verse underscores the seriousness of rejecting the LORD’s instructions. Saul’s disobedience cost him his royal lineage and his standing before God, while David was elevated in his place. It also highlights that divine authority and leadership come from God alone, and those who fail to honor His covenant are subject to His righteous judgment. Ultimately, the prophecy points forward to the greater work God would do through David’s line, culminating in the Messiah (Matthew 1:1-17), although here in Saul’s lifetime it meant the immediate end of his sovereignty and blessing.