1 Samuel 28:6
And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל
enquired
H7592
וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל
enquired
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
1 of 12
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
שָׁאוּל֙
And when Saul
H7586
שָׁאוּל֙
And when Saul
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
2 of 12
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָנָ֖הוּ
answered
H6030
עָנָ֖הוּ
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
5 of 12
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,
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
גַּ֧ם
H1571
גַּ֧ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
גַּ֥ם
H1571
גַּ֥ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
בָּֽאוּרִ֖ים
nor by Urim
H224
בָּֽאוּרִ֖ים
nor by Urim
Strong's:
H224
Word #:
10 of 12
urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate
Cross References
Numbers 12:6And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.1 Samuel 14:37And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.Numbers 27:21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.Lamentations 2:9Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.Matthew 1:20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.John 9:31Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.James 4:3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.Jeremiah 23:28The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.Exodus 28:30And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.Deuteronomy 33:8And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
Historical Context
The Urim and Thummim were sacred lots carried in the high priest's breastplate for divine guidance. After the massacre at Nob, only Abiathar survived of the priests, and he had fled to David with the ephod. Saul may have lacked even the physical means for priestly inquiry.
Questions for Reflection
- When has God's silence felt like judgment in your experience?
- What happens when all legitimate channels of guidance seem closed?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Saul's threefold inquiry reveals the complete shutdown of divine communication. 'Dreams, Urim, and prophets' represented the three recognized channels of divine revelation in Israel. Dreams communicated directly to individuals; the Urim (priestly divination through the breastplate) operated through official religious channels; prophets spoke God's word through inspired individuals. The emphatic negative 'lo 'anahu YHWH' (the LORD did not answer him) marks divine silence as judgment. God's refusal to communicate leaves Saul spiritually abandoned.