King James Version
What Does 1 Samuel 28:10 Mean?
“And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.”
1 Samuel 28:10 · KJV
Context
8
And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.
9
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?
10
And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.
11
Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
12
And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentarySaul's oath 'As the LORD liveth' (Hebrew: 'chai-YHWH') represents the height of spiritual perversion: invoking YHWH's name to guarantee protection for practicing what YHWH has forbidden. The cognitive dissonance is stunning. Saul uses the most solemn oath formula of Israelite faith to enable violation of that faith's fundamental commands. This moment captures Saul's spiritual confusion: still using religious language while acting in complete opposition to religious requirements.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The oath formula 'As the LORD liveth' invoked God's own existence as guarantee. Its use here, protecting forbidden spiritual practices, illustrates how religious language can persist even when its substance has been abandoned.
Reflection Questions
- How can religious language and practices become divorced from genuine faith?
- What warning does Saul's spiritual confusion offer to those who maintain forms without substance?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 12 wordsוַיִּשָּׁ֤בַֽע1 of 12
“sware”
H7650to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
לָהּ֙2 of 12
H0יְהוָ֕ה4 of 12
“As the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
חַי6 of 12
“liveth”
H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוָ֕ה7 of 12
“As the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִֽם8 of 12
“there shall”
H518used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִקְּרֵ֥ךְ9 of 12
“happen”
H7136to light upon (chiefly by accident); specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)
בַּדָּבָ֥ר11 of 12
“to thee for this thing”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
1 Samuel 28:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to 1 Samuel 28:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge