1 Samuel 28:8
And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתְחַפֵּ֣שׂ
disguised
H2664
וַיִּתְחַפֵּ֣שׂ
disguised
Strong's:
H2664
Word #:
1 of 25
to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask
וַיִּלְבַּשׁ֙
himself and put on
H3847
וַיִּלְבַּשׁ֙
himself and put on
Strong's:
H3847
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 25
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ה֗וּא
H1931
ה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 25
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֲנָשִׁים֙
men
H582
אֲנָשִׁים֙
men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
9 of 25
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
עִמּ֔וֹ
H5973
עִמּ֔וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
10 of 25
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ
with him and they came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ
with him and they came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לָ֑יְלָה
by night
H3915
לָ֑יְלָה
by night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
14 of 25
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
קָֽסֳוֹמִי
I pray thee divine
H7080
קָֽסֳוֹמִי
I pray thee divine
Strong's:
H7080
Word #:
16 of 25
properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine
נָ֥א
H4994
נָ֥א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
17 of 25
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
בָּא֔וֹב
unto me by the familiar spirit
H178
בָּא֔וֹב
unto me by the familiar spirit
Strong's:
H178
Word #:
19 of 25
properly, a mumble, i.e., a water-skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar)
וְהַ֣עֲלִי
and bring me him up
H5927
וְהַ֣עֲלִי
and bring me him up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
20 of 25
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֵ֥ת
H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 8:19And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?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;1 Kings 22:30And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.2 Chronicles 35:22Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.2 Chronicles 18:29And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.
Historical Context
Royal disguises appear elsewhere in Scripture (1 Kings 14:2, 22:30) when kings seek information or action they cannot pursue openly. Saul's nocturnal journey through or around enemy lines demonstrates the extremity of his desperation.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it reveal when we must hide our pursuit of guidance from others?
- How does disguise indicate internal awareness that our actions are wrong?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Saul's disguise reveals both his desperation and his awareness that his actions are wrong. The Hebrew 'wayyithchapes' (disguised himself) and 'wayyilbash begadim 'acherim' (put on other garments) indicate intentional concealment of identity. Approaching by night with only two companions, the king of Israel seeks forbidden knowledge while hiding from recognition. The irony is profound: Saul, who once stood among the prophets (1 Samuel 10:11), now cloaks himself to consult the dead.