1 Samuel 28:20
Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְמַהֵ֣ר
straightway
H4116
וַיְמַהֵ֣ר
straightway
Strong's:
H4116
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
וַיִּפֹּ֤ל
fell
H5307
וַיִּפֹּ֤ל
fell
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
3 of 23
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
וַיִּרָ֥א
afraid
H3372
וַיִּרָ֥א
afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
7 of 23
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
מְאֹ֖ד
and was sore
H3966
מְאֹ֖ד
and was sore
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
מִדִּבְרֵ֣י
because of the words
H1697
מִדִּבְרֵ֣י
because of the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
9 of 23
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
11 of 23
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
כֹּ֙חַ֙
and there was no strength
H3581
כֹּ֙חַ֙
and there was no strength
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
12 of 23
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָ֣יָה
H1961
הָ֣יָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לֶ֔חֶם
no bread
H3899
לֶ֔חֶם
no bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
19 of 23
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיּ֖וֹם
all the day
H3117
הַיּ֖וֹם
all the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
21 of 23
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Historical Context
Saul's fasting may have been preparation for the forbidden ritual or simply the result of anxiety suppressing appetite. His complete physical collapse rendered him temporarily incapable of any action, including returning to his army or preparing for battle.
Questions for Reflection
- How does spiritual crisis manifest in physical symptoms?
- What happens when the weight of our choices finally crushes us?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Saul's physical collapse ('fell straightway all along on the earth') mirrors his spiritual collapse throughout the chapter. The Hebrew 'nephal male-qomato artsah' (fell the full measure of his height to the ground) emphasizes his complete prostration. The combination of terror at Samuel's words and physical weakness from fasting leaves Saul utterly broken. The mighty warrior who once stood head and shoulders above Israel now lies face-down, defeated before battle begins. Physical strength without spiritual vitality proves worthless.