This verse shows both a final mercy offered to a troubled king and a continued sincerity of hospitality that permeated ancient Israelite culture.
“The woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it; and she took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread from it” (v.24). This verse describes the actions of the medium at En-dor, who was living in the region north of the Hill of Moreh, near the Jezreel Valley. Situated in what would later become part of the territory belonging to the tribe of Manasseh, En-dor was a place sought out by King Saul shortly before his death (1 Samuel 28:7). The woman’s meal preparation demonstrates a hospitality that contrasts with the context of fear and desperation in which Saul found himself, showing an unexpected kindness during a time of dread and uncertainty. By rapidly preparing both a slaughtered calf and the bread, the hostess endeavors to provide Saul with sustenance, underscoring the Middle Eastern custom of quickly and eagerly meeting the needs of a guest.
Beyond the historical moment, “she quickly slaughtered it” (v.24) shows how urgent the situation was. Saul was attempting to ascertain his future in battle against the Philistines, and the medium likely recognized his physical and emotional vulnerability. Her haste to feed him and keep him from collapsing in weakness gives us a snapshot of the larger drama at play. Since Saul’s reign (circa 1050-1011 BC) was nearing its end, one might see this gesture of feeding the king as a solemn act before a final confrontation with the Philistine forces. This scene, often overshadowed by the dramatic summoning of the prophet Samuel’s spirit in 1 Samuel 28:8-20, demonstrates a simple, human moment of compassion amid the supernatural and political turmoil.
The reference to baking “unleavened bread” echoes a longstanding Israelite tradition seen throughout Scripture (e.g., Exodus 12:8). Unleavened bread symbolizes both haste and purity, for it does not include yeast, which requires time to rise. In the context of Saul’s last hours, it reflects the quickness of the meal’s preparation and foreshadows the near-imminent outcome of his final battle. In a broader biblical narrative, bread often points to God’s provision and care for His people, and in the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the Bread of Life (John 6:35), offering a spiritual parallel to the physical nourishment given to Saul by this woman.
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1 Samuel 28:24 meaning
“The woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it; and she took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread from it” (v.24). This verse describes the actions of the medium at En-dor, who was living in the region north of the Hill of Moreh, near the Jezreel Valley. Situated in what would later become part of the territory belonging to the tribe of Manasseh, En-dor was a place sought out by King Saul shortly before his death (1 Samuel 28:7). The woman’s meal preparation demonstrates a hospitality that contrasts with the context of fear and desperation in which Saul found himself, showing an unexpected kindness during a time of dread and uncertainty. By rapidly preparing both a slaughtered calf and the bread, the hostess endeavors to provide Saul with sustenance, underscoring the Middle Eastern custom of quickly and eagerly meeting the needs of a guest.
Beyond the historical moment, “she quickly slaughtered it” (v.24) shows how urgent the situation was. Saul was attempting to ascertain his future in battle against the Philistines, and the medium likely recognized his physical and emotional vulnerability. Her haste to feed him and keep him from collapsing in weakness gives us a snapshot of the larger drama at play. Since Saul’s reign (circa 1050-1011 BC) was nearing its end, one might see this gesture of feeding the king as a solemn act before a final confrontation with the Philistine forces. This scene, often overshadowed by the dramatic summoning of the prophet Samuel’s spirit in 1 Samuel 28:8-20, demonstrates a simple, human moment of compassion amid the supernatural and political turmoil.
The reference to baking “unleavened bread” echoes a longstanding Israelite tradition seen throughout Scripture (e.g., Exodus 12:8). Unleavened bread symbolizes both haste and purity, for it does not include yeast, which requires time to rise. In the context of Saul’s last hours, it reflects the quickness of the meal’s preparation and foreshadows the near-imminent outcome of his final battle. In a broader biblical narrative, bread often points to God’s provision and care for His people, and in the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the Bread of Life (John 6:35), offering a spiritual parallel to the physical nourishment given to Saul by this woman.