King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 28:8 Mean?

1 Samuel 28:8 in the King James Version says “And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by n... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 28:8 · KJV


Context

6

And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

7

Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Saul's disguise reveals both his desperation and his awareness that his actions are wrong. The Hebrew 'wayyithchapes' (disguised himself) and 'wayyilbash begadim 'acherim' (put on other garments) indicate intentional concealment of identity. Approaching by night with only two companions, the king of Israel seeks forbidden knowledge while hiding from recognition. The irony is profound: Saul, who once stood among the prophets (1 Samuel 10:11), now cloaks himself to consult the dead.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Royal disguises appear elsewhere in Scripture (1 Kings 14:2, 22:30) when kings seek information or action they cannot pursue openly. Saul's nocturnal journey through or around enemy lines demonstrates the extremity of his desperation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it reveal when we must hide our pursuit of guidance from others?
  2. How does disguise indicate internal awareness that our actions are wrong?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיִּתְחַפֵּ֣שׂ1 of 25

disguised

H2664

to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask

שָׁא֗וּל2 of 25

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וַיִּלְבַּשׁ֙3 of 25

himself and put on

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

בְּגָדִ֣ים4 of 25

raiment

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

אֲחֵרִ֔ים5 of 25

other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ6 of 25
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ה֗וּא7 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וּשְׁנֵ֤י8 of 25

and two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֲנָשִׁים֙9 of 25

men

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

עִמּ֔וֹ10 of 25
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ11 of 25

with him and they came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל12 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה13 of 25

to the woman

H802

a woman

לָ֑יְלָה14 of 25

by night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

אֹמַ֖ר15 of 25

and he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

קָֽסֳוֹמִי16 of 25

I pray thee divine

H7080

properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine

נָ֥א17 of 25
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לִי֙18 of 25
H0
בָּא֔וֹב19 of 25

unto me by the familiar spirit

H178

properly, a mumble, i.e., a water-skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar)

וְהַ֣עֲלִי20 of 25

and bring me him up

H5927

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

לִ֔י21 of 25
H0
אֵ֥ת22 of 25
H853

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

אֲשֶׁר23 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֹמַ֖ר24 of 25

and he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָֽיִךְ׃25 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


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 28:8 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 28:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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