King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 28:15 Mean?

1 Samuel 28:15 in the King James Version says “And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the P... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. by prophets: Heb. by the hand of prophets

1 Samuel 28:15 · KJV


Context

13

And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

14

And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. What: Heb. What is his form?

15

And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. by prophets: Heb. by the hand of prophets

16

Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

17

And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: to him: or, for himself me: Heb. mine hand


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Samuel's question 'Why hast thou disquieted me?' (Hebrew: 'lamah hirgaztani') uses a verb suggesting disturbance and agitation. The dead prophet is not pleased to be summoned. Saul's response catalogues his desperate situation: 'The Philistines make war... God is departed from me... answereth me no more.' The Hebrew 'sar me'alay' (departed from me) echoes the narrative's theological assessment. Saul accurately diagnoses his condition but comes to the wrong source for remedy, seeking forbidden consultation rather than repentance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Saul's summary of his situation is theologically accurate: God has indeed departed from him (16:14), and prophetic silence confirms divine rejection. His recognition of the problem without pursuing legitimate restoration illustrates how spiritual knowledge without obedient response proves useless.

Reflection Questions

  1. When do we accurately diagnose our spiritual condition yet pursue wrong remedies?
  2. What prevents us from seeking God directly when we recognize His absence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 32

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵל֙2 of 32

And Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶל3 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁ֠אוּל4 of 32

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

לָ֥מָּה5 of 32
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הִרְגַּזְתַּ֖נִי6 of 32

Why hast thou disquieted

H7264

to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)

לְהַֽעֲל֣וֹת7 of 32

me to bring me up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֹתִ֑י8 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר9 of 32

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁ֠אוּל10 of 32

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

צַר11 of 32

distressed

H6887

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

לִ֨י12 of 32
H0
מְאֹ֜ד13 of 32

I am sore

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים׀14 of 32

for the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

נִלְחָמִ֣ים15 of 32

make war

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

בִּ֗י16 of 32
H0
וֵֽאלֹהִ֞ים17 of 32

against me and God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

סָ֤ר18 of 32

is departed

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מֵֽעָלַי֙19 of 32
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְלֹֽא20 of 32
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָנָ֣נִי21 of 32

from me and answereth

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

ע֗וֹד22 of 32
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

גַּ֤ם23 of 32
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בְּיַֽד24 of 32

me no more neither by

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַנְּבִיאִם֙25 of 32

prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

גַּם26 of 32
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בַּ֣חֲלֹמ֔וֹת27 of 32

nor by dreams

H2472

a dream

וָֽאֶקְרָאֶ֣ה28 of 32

therefore I have called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְךָ֔29 of 32
H0
לְהֽוֹדִיעֵ֖נִי30 of 32

thee that thou mayest make known

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מָ֥ה31 of 32
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אֶֽעֱשֶֽׂה׃32 of 32

unto me what I shall do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application


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 28:15 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 28:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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