1 Samuel 28:7
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 En-dor.
Original Language Analysis
בַּקְּשׁוּ
Seek
H1245
בַּקְּשׁוּ
Seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
4 of 21
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
א֖וֹב
a familiar spirit
H178
א֖וֹב
a familiar spirit
Strong's:
H178
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, a mumble, i.e., a water-skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar)
וְאֵֽלְכָ֥ה
H1980
וְאֵֽלְכָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 21
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְאֶדְרְשָׁה
to her and enquire
H1875
וְאֶדְרְשָׁה
to her and enquire
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
Cross References
Acts 16:16And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:Psalms 83:10Which perished at En-dor: they became as dung for the earth.1 Chronicles 10:13So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;Joshua 17:11And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of En-dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries.Habakkuk 2:3For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.Leviticus 19:31Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
Historical Context
Necromancy and spirit consultation were common throughout the ancient Near East but explicitly forbidden in Israel (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10-11). The survival of practitioners despite royal prohibition indicates either incomplete enforcement or persistent popular demand.
Questions for Reflection
- What forbidden sources of guidance tempt people when legitimate means seem closed?
- How does desperation lead to spiritual practices we would normally condemn?
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Analysis & Commentary
Saul's command to seek a medium (Hebrew: 'eshet ba'alat-ov,' a woman possessing a spirit) represents his ultimate spiritual betrayal. Having enforced God's law against such practices, he now desperately violates it himself. The location 'En-dor' (spring of the dwelling) places the medium in Issachar's territory, requiring Saul to travel past enemy lines. The servants' ready knowledge of her location suggests the purge of mediums was incomplete or that such practices persisted secretly.