1 Samuel 28:15
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.
Original Language Analysis
לָ֥מָּה
H4100
לָ֥מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
5 of 32
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
הִרְגַּזְתַּ֖נִי
Why hast thou disquieted
H7264
הִרְגַּזְתַּ֖נִי
Why hast thou disquieted
Strong's:
H7264
Word #:
6 of 32
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
לְהַֽעֲל֣וֹת
me to bring me up
H5927
לְהַֽעֲל֣וֹת
me to bring me up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
7 of 32
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֹתִ֑י
H853
אֹתִ֑י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
צַר
distressed
H6887
צַר
distressed
Strong's:
H6887
Word #:
11 of 32
to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
מְאֹ֜ד
I am sore
H3966
מְאֹ֜ד
I am sore
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
13 of 32
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים׀
for the Philistines
H6430
וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים׀
for the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
14 of 32
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וֵֽאלֹהִ֞ים
against me and God
H430
וֵֽאלֹהִ֞ים
against me and God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 32
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
מֵֽעָלַי֙
H5921
מֵֽעָלַי֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 32
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
20 of 32
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָנָ֣נִי
from me and answereth
H6030
עָנָ֣נִי
from me and answereth
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
21 of 32
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,
ע֗וֹד
H5750
ע֗וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
22 of 32
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
גַּ֤ם
H1571
גַּ֤ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
23 of 32
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
בְּיַֽד
me no more neither by
H3027
בְּיַֽד
me no more neither by
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
24 of 32
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
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
26 of 32
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
וָֽאֶקְרָאֶ֣ה
therefore I have called
H7121
וָֽאֶקְרָאֶ֣ה
therefore I have called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
28 of 32
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לְהֽוֹדִיעֵ֖נִי
thee that thou mayest make known
H3045
לְהֽוֹדִיעֵ֖נִי
thee that thou mayest make known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
30 of 32
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
1 Samuel 28:6And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.1 Samuel 18:12And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.Proverbs 14:14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.Hosea 9:12Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- When do we accurately diagnose our spiritual condition yet pursue wrong remedies?
- What prevents us from seeking God directly when we recognize His absence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.