1 Samuel 28:15

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

answered

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵל֙

H8050

And Samuel

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁ֠אוּל

H7586

And Saul

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

לָ֥מָּה

H4100

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

הִרְגַּזְתַּ֖נִי

H7264

Why hast thou disquieted

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

לְהַֽעֲל֣וֹת

H5927

me to bring me up

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

אֹתִ֑י

H853

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

answered

to say (used with great latitude)

#10

שָׁ֠אוּל

H7586

And Saul

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

#11

צַר

H6887

distressed

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

#12

לִ֨י

#13

מְאֹ֜ד

H3966

I am sore

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

#14

וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים׀

H6430

for the Philistines

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

#15

נִלְחָמִ֣ים

H3898

make war

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

#16

בִּ֗י

#17

וֵֽאלֹהִ֞ים

H430

against me and God

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

#18

סָ֤ר

H5493

is departed

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

#19

מֵֽעָלַי֙

H5921

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

#20

וְלֹֽא

H3808

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

#21

עָנָ֣נִי

H6030

from me and answereth

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,

#22

ע֗וֹד

H5750

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

#23

גַּ֤ם

H1571

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

#24

בְּיַֽד

H3027

me no more neither by

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

#25

הַנְּבִיאִם֙

H5030

prophets

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

#26

גַּם

H1571

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

#27

בַּ֣חֲלֹמ֔וֹת

H2472

nor by dreams

a dream

#28

וָֽאֶקְרָאֶ֣ה

H7121

therefore I have called

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

#29

לְךָ֔

#30

לְהֽוֹדִיעֵ֖נִי

H3045

thee that thou mayest make known

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

#31

מָ֥ה

H4100

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

#32

אֶֽעֱשֶֽׂה׃

H6213

unto me what I shall do

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

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Samuel.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Samuel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within 1 Samuel chapter 28 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

Related Resources

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