Saul and the Witch of Endor
1 Samuel 28:1-25
1 S.28.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- ויקבצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- את: PRT,acc
- מחניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,pl
- לצבא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להלחם: VERB,hitp,inf
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אכיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תדע: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- תצא: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- במחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ואנשיך: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 27:6-12 (structural): Direct narrative context: David has fled to Achish and lives among the Philistines; Achish gives Ziklag to David and accepts him into his service, explaining why David is present with Philistine forces.
- 1 Samuel 29:1-11 (structural): Immediate sequel to 28:1: the Philistine commanders assemble for battle and object to David fighting with them; Achish initially endorses David but the Philistine lords send him back—resolves the situation introduced in 28:1.
- 1 Samuel 17:1-11 (thematic): Earlier instance of Philistines assembling their armies against Israel (the camp at the valley of Elah and Goliath’s challenge); parallels the motif of Philistine mustering for war against Israel.
- 2 Samuel 5:17-25 (thematic): Later episode where the Philistines assemble to fight David and he defeats them after inquiring of the LORD—another occurrence of Philistine forces gathering against Israel/David and David’s involvement in that conflict.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass in those days that the Philistines gathered their forces to make war against Israel. And Achish said to David, "Know and be sure that you shall go out with me to the camp—you and your men."
- And it came to pass in those days that the Philistines gathered their forces to fight Israel; and Achish said to David, 'You know that you and your men will go out with me to the camp.'
1 S.28.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אכיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכן: ADV
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- תדע: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אכיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכן: ADV
- שמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לראשי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:1,m,sg
- אשימך: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg,obj:2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 27:6 (structural): Same episode of David in the service of Achish; Achish gives David the town of Ziklag and shows him favor—background to Achish’s declaration of trust in 28:2.
- 1 Samuel 29:4-7 (thematic): Philistine commanders reject David’s presence at the upcoming battle despite Achish’s confidence—contrasts Achish’s promise to ‘make him his bodyguard’ with the other leaders’ distrust.
- 1 Samuel 21:10-15 (thematic): Earlier encounter of David in Gath where he is exposed and must feign madness before Achish’s court—shows a prior, different relationship between David and Achish’s city/kingdom.
- 1 Samuel 30:1-6 (thematic): After the Philistine campaign David returns to find Ziklag burned and his men distressed—outcome and cost of David’s association with the Philistines that is anticipated by 28:2.
- 1 Samuel 18:5 (verbal): Saul’s appointment of David ‘over the men of war’ (placing him in a position of trust/leadership) parallels Achish’s promise to set David over his head or make him a chief/guard—similar language of elevation to a trusted role.
Alternative generated candidates
- And David said to Achish, "Therefore you shall know what your servant will do." And Achish said to David, "Therefore I will keep you at my side as a bodyguard all the days."
- And David said to Achish, 'Then you shall know what your servant will do.' And Achish said to David, 'Then I will make you chief of my bodyguard; I will keep you at my side always.'
1 S.28.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמואל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- ויספדו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקברהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl,obj=3m
- ברמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובעירו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,clitic:3,m,sg
- ושאול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הסיר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האבות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הידענים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מהארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def,loc
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 25:1 (verbal): Very similar wording about Samuel’s death, the national mourning, and burial at Ramah — a parallel report of the same event/scene.
- 1 Samuel 28:7 (structural): Immediate narrative contrast: although Saul had removed mediums and spiritists (v.3), later in the same chapter he seeks a necromancer (the witch of Endor), highlighting irony and narrative tension.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (thematic): Law prohibiting mediums, necromancers and spiritists — provides the legal/theological background for the injunction in v.3 to put such persons away from the land.
- Leviticus 20:27 (thematic): Prescribes punishment for mediums and spiritists; reinforces the Levitical prohibition motif that underlies Saul’s action of removing them.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (allusion): Retrospective theological interpretation of Saul’s death, blaming him for consulting a medium; echoes and presupposes the earlier material about mediums and Saul’s relationship to them.
Alternative generated candidates
- Samuel died, and all Israel mourned for him, and they buried him at Ramah, in his city. And Saul put away the mediums and the necromancers from the land.
- Samuel died; and all Israel mourned for him, and they buried him at Ramah, his own town. Saul had put away the mediums and those who practiced divination from the land.
1 S.28.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקבצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויחנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בשונם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקבץ: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויחנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בגלבע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:1 (structural): Same narrative theater: Philistines battle Israel and the fighting takes place on Mount Gilboa — direct continuation of the military situation introduced in 28:4.
- 1 Chronicles 10:2 (quotation): Parallel retelling of the battle on Gilboa where Israel is routed and Saul and Jonathan fall; a later restatement of the events tied to the encampments.
- 1 Samuel 13:5 (thematic): Earlier scene where the Philistines 'gather themselves together' to fight Israel — shows the recurring motif of Philistine mustering against Israel.
- 1 Samuel 29:1 (structural): Another passage describing the Philistines assembling their forces (at Aphek) while Israel encamps nearby — comparable arrangement of opposing armies and encampments.
- 2 Samuel 1:21 (allusion): David’s lament mentions 'mountains of Gilboa' and the disaster there, alluding back to the defeat and encampment context of 1 Sam 28:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Philistines gathered and came and encamped at Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa.
- The Philistines gathered and came and camped at Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa.
1 S.28.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מחנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויחרד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 17:11 (verbal): Israelite leaders hear the Philistine challenge and are described as dismayed and greatly afraid—close verbal and situational parallel to Saul seeing the Philistine camp and his heart trembling.
- 1 Samuel 18:12 (thematic): Saul again is seized by fear (this time of David) showing a recurrent theme in the narrative of Saul’s fear responses to perceived threats and loss of divine support.
- 1 Samuel 14:15 (thematic): A scene of trembling and panic in a military camp during conflict with the Philistines; parallels the language and military context of sudden fear and disorder.
- Judges 7:3 (thematic): Gideon’s call to dismiss the fearful illustrates the military leadership response to fear among troops—thematically related to the issue of fear and morale when confronting enemy forces.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was greatly afraid and his heart trembled.
- When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he saw and his heart trembled greatly.
1 S.28.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישאל: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- ענהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg(obj)
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- בחלמות: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גם: ADV
- באורים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גם: ADV
- בנביאם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
Parallels
- Numbers 27:21 (verbal): Refers to the use of the Urim by the priest to obtain the LORD's decision; provides the immediate cultic background for Saul's failure to receive an answer 'by the Urim.'
- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (thematic): Sets out the role and authority of prophetic revelation ('the LORD will raise up a prophet'); contrasts the normal channel of revelation through prophets with the statement that God gave Saul no answer through prophets.
- 1 Samuel 15:23-26 (thematic): Shows Saul's prior rebellion and God's consequent rejection of him; explains the theological reason behind God’s silence to Saul in 1 Sam 28:6 and foreshadows the loss of prophetic guidance.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (structural): Narrates the aftermath of Saul's death and attributes his downfall to divine wrath for sin and disobedience, echoing the theme that the LORD withdrew his presence and guidance from Saul.
- Isaiah 8:19-20 (allusion): Condemns consultation with the dead and directs inquiry to the law and testimony; thematically contrasts proper inquiry of God with Saul's resort to a medium when God did not answer by legitimate means.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him, neither by dreams, nor by the Urim, nor by the prophets.
- Saul inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him—neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by the prophets.
1 S.28.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעבדיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss,3,m,sg
- בקשו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- בעלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אוב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואלכה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ואדרשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg+OBJ:3,f,sg
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- בעלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אוב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעין: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 28:3 (structural): Earlier in the narrative Saul had expelled 'mediums and spiritists' from the land—this creates a structural/ironic contrast with 28:7, where he now seeks a woman with a familiar spirit.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (thematic): The Deuteronomic law explicitly forbids divination, necromancy and consulting mediums; provides the legal and theological background that condemns Saul's action.
- Leviticus 19:31 (verbal): Commands Israel not to 'turn to mediums or necromancers' and not to seek them out—uses similar terminology and prohibition as the episode at En-dor.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (allusion): Retrospective summary ties Saul's death to his unfaithfulness and specifically to consulting a medium rather than seeking the LORD, alluding to the Witch of Endor incident.
- Isaiah 8:19 (thematic): Rhetorical rebuke against consulting the dead for guidance ('to the law and to the testimony!'); thematically criticizes necromancy like Saul's consultation of the woman at En-dor.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her." His servants said to him, "Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor."
- Then Saul said to his servants, 'Seek me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.' His servants said to him, 'Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at Endor.'
1 S.28.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתחפש: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילבש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בגדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ושני: CONJ+NUM,card,m,pl
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קסמי: VERB,piel,impv,2,f,sg
- נא: PART
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- באוב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והעלי: VERB,hifil,impv,2,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 28:3-7 (structural): Immediate narrative context: earlier verses state Saul had expelled mediums and necromancers (v.3) and describe his sending and disguise as he seeks out a woman with a spirit (vv.5–7), setting up v.8's action.
- 1 Samuel 28:11-19 (quotation): Direct continuation: the woman's summoning of Samuel and Samuel's prophetic message to Saul are the immediate outcome of Saul's request in v.8.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (thematic): Parallel summary of Saul's end: Chronicles attributes Saul's death to God's anger and explicitly notes that Saul consulted a medium, linking his reliance on necromancy to his downfall.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (thematic): Legal backdrop: the Deuteronomic prohibition against mediums, spiritists and necromancers provides the law Saul is violating by seeking a woman to call up the dead.
- Leviticus 19:31 (verbal): Related priestly injunction: warns Israel not to turn to mediums and seek the departed, a closely related ritual/legal prohibition echoed by Saul's illicit action in v.8.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments, and he went, he and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. He said, "Divine for me by a familiar spirit and bring up for me whom I shall name to you."
- So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he and two men went; they came to the woman by night. He said, 'Divine for me by the medium and bring up for me whom I shall name to you.'
1 S.28.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ידעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הכרית: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האבות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הידעני: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מן: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ולמה: CONJ
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- מתנקש: VERB,hitp,ptcp,2,m,sg
- בנפשי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:1,sg
- להמיתני: VERB,hiphil,inf,1,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 28:3 (verbal): Earlier statement that Saul had expelled mediums and spiritists from the land — the immediate background to the woman's fear for her life.
- Leviticus 20:27 (allusion): Prescribes death for mediums and spiritists; explains why the woman fears for her life under Saul’s policy.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (thematic): Prohibits divination and necromancy as abominations — legal/ethical basis for Saul’s suppression of mediums.
- Exodus 22:18 (verbal): “You shall not permit a sorceress to live” — a concise legal formulation that parallels the threat faced by practitioners.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (allusion): Links Saul’s seeking a medium to his downfall, reflecting the narrative significance and danger surrounding mediums in Saul’s reign.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the woman said to him, "Behold, you know what Saul has done—how he has cut off the mediums and those who have familiar spirits from the land—and why do you lay a snare for my life to put me to death?"
- The woman said to him, 'Behold, you know what Saul has done—he has cut off the mediums and those who consulted spirits from the land; why then do you set a snare for my life to cause me to die?'
1 S.28.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישבע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- יקרך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (thematic): Law forbids consulting mediums and the dead—direct thematic contrast to Saul's resort to a medium despite swearing by Yahweh.
- Leviticus 20:27 (thematic): Prescribes severe punishment for mediums and spiritists; highlights the irony of Saul swearing there should be no harm for the woman he consults.
- 1 Samuel 28:3 (structural): Earlier statement that Saul had expelled mediums and wizards from the land; frames v.10 as ironic/hypocritical action within the same narrative.
- 1 Samuel 28:6 (structural): Reports that God did not answer Saul by dreams, Urim, or prophets—this lack of divine response explains Saul's turn to a medium and contextualizes his oath.
- 2 Chronicles 33:6 (allusion): King Manasseh is said to have consulted mediums and spiritists; parallels the motif of Israelite rulers resorting to necromancy despite covenantal prohibitions.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing."
- Saul swore to her by the LORD, 'As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.'
1 S.28.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- אעלה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- העלי: VERB,hiph,impv,2,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (thematic): Prohibition against necromancy and consulting the dead; provides the legal/ethical background for Saul's seeking a medium.
- Leviticus 19:31 (thematic): Explicit warning not to turn to mediums and spiritists, thematically condemning the practice Saul employs at Endor.
- Isaiah 8:19 (allusion): A prophetic rebuke of seeking necromancers and familiar spirits instead of consulting God, thematically echoing the folly of Saul's request to summon Samuel.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (thematic): Later summary links Saul's consulting a medium (and not seeking the Lord) with the reason for his downfall and death, directly connecting to the episode at Endor.
- 1 Samuel 28:12 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the medium's reply and her vision of an old man, which directly follows Saul's request to bring up Samuel.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up Samuel for me."
- The woman said, 'Whom shall I bring up for you?' He said, 'Bring up Samuel for me.'
1 S.28.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ותזעק: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- למה: ADV
- רמיתני: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg+PRON,1,sg
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (thematic): Prohibits necromancy, divination, and consulting the dead — the law Saul breaks by seeking a medium.
- Leviticus 20:27 (thematic): Prescribes severe judgment for mediums and spiritists; provides the legal/ritual background for condemning Saul’s action.
- Isaiah 8:19 (allusion): Condemns consulting mediums and the dead for guidance; thematically parallels prophetic denunciation of such practices.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (structural): Chronicles’ summary of Saul’s end links his death to unfaithfulness and consulting a medium — a direct retrospective parallel to this episode.
- 1 Samuel 28:14-19 (verbal): Immediate narrative continuation: the summoned 'Samuel' speaks, rebukes Saul and foretells his doom — direct verbal and thematic continuation of v.12.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul."
- When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. The woman spoke to Saul, saying, 'Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.'
1 S.28.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- תיראי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מה: PRON,int
- ראית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ראיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- עלים: VERB,qal,ptcp,-,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (thematic): Law forbidding necromancy and consulting the dead—provides the legal/theological backdrop against which Saul’s consultation of the woman at Endor is judged.
- 1 Samuel 28:12 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the woman’s initial reaction on seeing the apparition; directly precedes and sets up her statement in 28:13.
- 1 Samuel 28:15 (structural): Direct continuation of the scene where the spirit speaks and is identified as Samuel; completes the report begun in 28:13 about the figure rising from the earth.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (thematic): Retrospective summary of Saul’s end that explicitly links his seeking of mediums and necromancy with God’s judgment, echoing the theological significance of the Endor episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the king said to her, "Do not be afraid; but what do you see?" The woman said to Saul, "I see a divine being coming up out of the earth."
- The king said to the woman, 'Do not be afraid; what do you see?' And the woman said to Saul, 'I see a spirit coming up out of the earth.'
1 S.28.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- תארו: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זקן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- עטה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מעיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ויקד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישתחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 28:13 (verbal): Immediate context: the woman describes the spirit as an old man wrapped in a mantle—same imagery leading directly into Saul's recognition of Samuel.
- 1 Samuel 28:19 (structural): Continuation of the episode: Samuel (as raised by the medium) delivers the prophetic word about Saul's downfall—connects the apparition to its authoritative speech and outcome.
- 1 Samuel 28:7 (thematic): Earlier account of Saul seeking a woman with a familiar spirit—sets up the prohibited necromantic act that frames the appearance of Samuel.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (allusion): Law forbidding divination and consulting the dead—provides the legal/ethical background for condemning Saul's resort to a medium.
- Luke 9:30-31 (thematic): On the Transfiguration Moses and Elijah (deceased prophets) appear to Jesus—parallel motif of departed prophetic figures appearing to the living and eliciting reverent response.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, "What is his form?" And she said, "An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a mantle." Then Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed his face to the ground and prostrated himself.
- He said, 'What is his appearance?' She answered, 'An old man is coming up; he is wrapped in a robe.' Then Saul perceived that it was Samuel; he bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself.
1 S.28.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למה: ADV
- הרגזתני: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,sg
- להעלות: VERB,hiphil,inf
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מאד: ADV
- ופלשתים: CONJ+NOUN_PROP,m,pl,abs
- נלחמים: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ואלהים: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מעלי: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- ענני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- גם: ADV
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הנביאם: NOUN,m,pl,def
- גם: ADV
- בחלמות: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואקראה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- להודיעני: VERB,hiph,inf
- מה: PRON,int
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 28:6 (verbal): Same situation earlier in the chapter: Saul finds that the LORD does not answer him 'by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets'—the exact idea he cites to justify summoning Samuel.
- 1 Samuel 16:14 (thematic): Records that the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul and an evil spirit troubled him—background explanation for Saul's loss of divine guidance and ensuing distress.
- 1 Samuel 13:13-14 (thematic): Samuel's earlier rebuke to Saul that God has rejected him and sought a man after His own heart, which explains why God no longer answers Saul through usual prophetic channels.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (allusion): Summary account of Saul's death that links his downfall to seeking a medium, echoing the consequences of Saul's action in this episode.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (structural): Legal prohibition against divination, mediums, and necromancy—provides the Torah background that makes Saul's consultation of a medium (and his claim about lack of prophetic word) theologically and legally problematic.
Alternative generated candidates
- Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?" Saul answered, "I am greatly distressed; the Philistines make war against me, and God has turned away from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by sacred lots; therefore I have called you to tell me what I shall do."
- Samuel said to Saul, 'Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?' Saul answered, 'I am greatly distressed; the Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me and does not answer me—not by prophets nor by dreams—so I have called you to tell me what I should do.'
1 S.28.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולמה: CONJ
- תשאלני: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מעליך: PREP,2,m
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ערך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 16:14 (verbal): Explicitly states that the Spirit of the LORD 'departed from Saul,' echoing the language of the LORD departing from Saul in 1 Sam 28:16.
- 1 Samuel 15:23 (thematic): Asserts that Saul has been rejected by the LORD for disobedience ('he hath also rejected thee from being king'), thematically paralleling Samuel’s declaration that the LORD has departed from Saul.
- Deuteronomy 31:17-18 (allusion): God warns he will 'hide his face' and forsake the people when they turn to other gods, a background motif for divine withdrawal and enmity present in 1 Sam 28:16.
- Psalm 88:14 (thematic): A laments’ cry—'LORD, why dost thou cast off my soul? why dost thou hide thy face?'—that parallels the motif of divine abandonment and the experience of being forsaken in 1 Sam 28:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- Samuel said, "Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has departed from you and has become your adversary?"
- Samuel said, 'Why then do you ask me, now that the LORD has departed from you and has become your adversary?'
1 S.28.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בידי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff1s
- ויקרע: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הממלכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מידך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ויתנה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לרעך: PREP
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Sam 15:28 (quotation): Samuel earlier declares almost the same verdict: 'The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee... and given it to a neighbour of thine,' echoing the language of 1 Sam 28:17.
- 1 Sam 13:14 (thematic): God's rejection of Saul and the promise to appoint 'a man after his own heart' who will lead his people — the underlying rationale for removing the kingdom and giving it to David.
- 1 Sam 24:20-22 (thematic): Saul's later recognition that David will be king ('thou shalt be king over Israel'), reflecting the transfer of rule foretold in 1 Sam 28:17.
- Psalm 78:70-72 (thematic): A retrospective account of God's choice of David ('He chose David his servant... he shepherded them'), thematically linked to the divine transfer of the kingdom from Saul to David.
- 2 Sam 5:1-5 (structural): Narrative fulfilment: the tribes come to David and he is anointed/established as king over Israel — the concrete outcome of the removal of Saul's kingdom described in 1 Sam 28:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD has done to you as I declared in my hearing: the LORD has torn the kingdom from your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David.
- And the LORD has done to you as I foretold by my mouth: the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David.
1 S.28.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כאשר: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- שמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- חרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff3ms
- בעמלק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (allusion): Samuel's original divine command to 'utterly destroy' Amalek — the injunction Saul failed to carry out that 1 Sam 28:18 cites as the cause of judgment.
- 1 Samuel 15:9 (verbal): Reports Saul's sparing of Agag and the best livestock (disobedience to the command against Amalek), providing the concrete act behind the charge in 28:18.
- 1 Samuel 15:23 (verbal): Samuel's axiom that 'rebellion is as the sin of divination' links disobedience to spiritual culpability; resonates with 28:18's portrayal of Saul's failure and its moral/ritual consequences.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13–14 (quotation): A later summary of Saul's death that repeats the reasons—failing to keep the word of the LORD and seeking a medium—echoing the causation given in 1 Sam 28:18.
- Deuteronomy 25:17–19 (thematic): The Torah command to 'blot out the memory of Amalek' supplies the legal/ethical background for God's anger at Saul's failure, which 28:18 invokes as the basis for judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD, and you did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.
- Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.
1 S.28.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ומחר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ובניך: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:2,ms
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- גם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- מחנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יתן: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 28:15-18 (quotation): Immediate context: Samuel's oracle to Saul directly predicts that the LORD will give Israel into the Philistines' hand and that Saul and his sons will die—this verse repeats and concludes that prophecy.
- 1 Samuel 31:1-6 (structural): Narrative fulfillment: the battle on Mount Gilboa where Saul and his sons fall and Israel is routed by the Philistines, fulfilling the announced handing over.
- Judges 3:8 (thematic): Theological pattern: because of sin the LORD 'sold' or 'gave' Israel into the hand of enemies—parallel motif of divine judgment by handing the people over to foreign foes.
- 2 Samuel 1:17-27 (allusion): David's lament over Saul and Jonathan recounts their deaths at the hands of the Philistines and the defeat of Israel, echoing the oracle that Saul and Israel would be given to Israel's enemies.
- Jeremiah 21:10 (thematic): Prophetic precedent: God declares he will give the city into the hand of the Chaldeans as judgment—a later example of the same motif of divine handing over of Israel/Judah to foreign powers.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moreover the LORD will give Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. Also the LORD will give the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
- Moreover the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will also give the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.'
1 S.28.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימהר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מלא: ADJ,m,sg
- קומתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3ms-suff
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
- מדברי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cnst
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- כח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- אכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הלילה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Dan.10.8-10 (verbal): Daniel describes losing all strength and becoming powerless after a visionary/angelic encounter; like Saul, he is physically debilitated and overwhelmed by a supernatural message.
- Isa.6.5 (thematic): Isaiah reacts to a prophetic revelation with intense fear and a sense of being undone before God's word—paralleling Saul's terror upon hearing Samuel's prophecy.
- Josh.7.6 (thematic): After defeat and divine rebuke, Joshua falls on his face in anguish before the ark—a comparable bodily collapse and fear in response to judgment/word from God.
- 1Sam.31.4 (structural): Later in the Samuel narrative Saul falls and dies by his own hand; this provides a structural parallel to his earlier collapse (full length to the ground) and the fatal trajectory of his kingship.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Saul immediately fell full length on the earth, and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel. There was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day nor all night.
- Then Saul fell full length on the ground and was greatly afraid because of the words of Samuel; there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day and all night.
1 S.28.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- כי: CONJ
- נבהל: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- שמעה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- שפחתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- בקולך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואשים: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- בכפי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,?,sg
- ואשמע: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- דבריך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דברת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 28:8 (structural): Immediate narrative context: earlier in the episode Saul disguises himself and asks the woman to summon Samuel — this verse is part of that same sequence and continues the interaction between Saul and the woman.
- 1 Samuel 15:24 (thematic): Shows a recurring character trait of Saul — fear and yielding to others. In 15:24 Saul admits he feared the people and disobeyed; 28:21 continues the theme of Saul acting from fear and desperation.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (allusion): A later summary of Saul's end that explicitly links his consulting a medium with the reason for his downfall and death, alluding back to the incident narrated in 1 Samuel 28.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (thematic): The legal/ideological background: Deuteronomy forbids consulting mediums and necromancers. Saul's action in 1 Samuel 28 violates this prescriptive tradition, providing theological contrast to the episode.
- Esther 4:16 (verbal): Parallel in motif and language of risking one's life to carry out a risky task: Esther's 'if I perish, I perish' and willingness to approach the king echoes the woman's phrase 'I will put my life in my hand' (a willingness to risk death in obedience to a command).
Alternative generated candidates
- And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly terrified, and she said to him, "Behold, your maidservant has obeyed your voice; I put my life in my hand and have listened to the words which you spoke to me."
- The woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly terrified, and she said to him, 'Behold, your servant has heard your voice; I have put my life in my hand and will listen to what you say.'
1 S.28.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- גם: ADV
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שפחתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- ואשמה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- פת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואכול: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- כח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- תלך: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- בדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 19:5-7 (verbal): An angel tells Elijah to 'arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee,' providing food to revive him for travel—closely paralleling the offer of bread to strengthen and enable departure.
- 1 Samuel 30:11-12 (verbal): An Egyptian gives David's exhausted men bread and water, 'and he revived them,' using similar language and function (food given to restore strength) as in 1 Sam 28:22.
- Ruth 2:14 (thematic): Boaz invites Ruth to 'come hither, and eat of the bread,' offering food to refresh and sustain her while she works—parallel in hospitality and sustenance (eat and be refreshed).
- Genesis 18:6-8 (thematic): Abraham prepares and serves bread to his visitors as an act of hospitality and refreshment; parallels the motif of offering bread to guests or a master to restore them for their journey.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore, please listen to your maidservant: let me set before you a piece of bread, that you may eat and have strength when you go on your way."
- So now, please listen to the voice of your servant. Let me set before you a piece of bread, that you may eat and have strength when you go on your way.'
1 S.28.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימאן: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויפרצו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- וגם: CONJ
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לקלם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מהארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- המטה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 19:5-8 (thematic): Elijah, exhausted and despairing, is urged/served food by an angel and eats to gain strength—parallels refusal/reluctance to eat in a crisis followed by accepting food for strength.
- 2 Samuel 12:20-23 (structural): David rises from the ground, washes and eats after a period of mourning; servants speak to him—echoes the pattern of lying on the ground, being urged by others, then arising and eating.
- Acts 27:33-36 (thematic): Paul urges shipwrecked sailors to take food after long abstention; they are persuaded and eat to regain strength—similar motif of being urged to eat during an impending disaster.
- Luke 24:29-31 (thematic): The Emmaus disciples urge the stranger to stay; he sits at table, breaks bread and is revealed—parallel social dynamic of hospitality/urging to share a meal leading to a decisive action.
Alternative generated candidates
- But he refused and said, "I will not eat." And his servants, and the woman, urged him, and he listened to their voice; and he rose from the ground and sat on the bed.
- But he refused and said, 'I will not eat.' Yet his servants and the woman urged him strongly, and he heeded their voice; he rose from the ground and sat on the bed.
1 S.28.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולאשה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עגל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מרבק: ADJ,m,sg
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותמהר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ותזבחהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- ותקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- קמח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותלש: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- ותפהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 25:18-19 (verbal): Abigail 'made haste' and prepared large quantities of food including cakes and bread to placate David—shares vocabulary and motif of hurried preparation of provisions.
- Genesis 18:6-8 (thematic): Abraham hastens to select and prepare a calf for his guests—parallel theme of slaughtering an animal and preparing a meal for visitors as an act of hospitality.
- Exodus 12:8,11 (structural): The Passover is eaten with unleavened bread and in haste; connects the mention of 'unleavened cakes' (מצות) and the motif of rapid preparation/consumption of bread tied to a sacrificial/urgent context.
- Leviticus 7:12-13 (verbal): Describes unleavened cakes and unleavened wafers made with oil offered with peace offerings—verbal/ritual parallel to the mention of מצות accompanying a slaughtered animal.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the woman had a fat calf in the house. So she hurried and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and baked unleavened cakes.
- The woman had a fat calf in the house; she hurried and slaughtered it, and took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread.
1 S.28.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותגש: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לפני: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולפני: CONJ+PREP
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- ויאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויקמו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בלילה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 18:8 (thematic): Abraham prepares food for his visitors; after they eat the visitors rise and depart—parallel motif of a host/guests eating together followed by an immediate departure.
- 1 Samuel 20:42 (structural): Within the same narrative corpus David and Jonathan share a farewell meal and then rise up and separate early the next morning—similar sequence of eating followed by immediate departure.
- 1 Kings 19:6-8 (thematic): Elijah is given food, eats and drinks, and then rises strengthened to journey onward—thematic link of food taken at a crucial moment leading to immediate movement/departure.
- Luke 24:30-33 (verbal): On the road to Emmaus Jesus eats with the disciples; immediately after the meal they ‘rose up’ and returned to Jerusalem that same hour—a New Testament parallel of eating followed by an immediate departure.
Alternative generated candidates
- She brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose up and went away that night.
- She brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. They rose and went away that night.
And it came to pass in those days that the Philistines gathered together their armies to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, "You know that you and your men shall go out with me to the camp." And David said to Achish, "Very well; you shall know what your servant will do." And Achish said to David, "Then I will keep you at my side always." And Samuel died; and all Israel mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own town. And Saul put away the mediums and the diviners from the land. And the Philistines gathered together and came and encamped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel and they encamped in Gilboa.
When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And Saul inquired of the LORD; but the LORD did not answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at Endor." So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments, and he and two men with him went, and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Divine for me by a familiar spirit and bring up for me whom I shall name to you." And the woman said to him, "Behold, you know what Saul has done—how he has cut off the mediums and the diviners from the land—and why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to be put to death?" But Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing."
Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me."
When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!" And the king said to the woman, "Do not be afraid; what do you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I see a divine being coming up out of the earth." And he said, "What is his appearance?" And she said, "An old man is coming up; he is clothed with a robe." And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself. And Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" And Saul answered, "I am greatly distressed; the Philistines make war against me, and God has turned away from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams; therefore I have called you, that you may tell me what I shall do." And Samuel said, "Why do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and has become your enemy?
The LORD has done to you as I foretold by my hand: the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David.
Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD, and did not carry out the LORD’s fierce command against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.
Moreover, the LORD has also delivered Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will give the camp of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
Then Saul hurriedly fell full length on the earth and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel. There was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all day and all night. And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly terrified, and she said to him, "Behold, your maidservant has obeyed your voice; I put my life in my hand and have listened to what you said to me. Now therefore, listen also to the voice of your maidservant; let me set before you a piece of bread, and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way." But he refused and said, "I will not eat." But his servants and the woman urged him; and he listened to their voice. So he rose from the earth and sat on the bed. Now the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hastened and slaughtered it, and she took flour and kneaded it and made unleavened bread. And she brought it before Saul and before his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that same night.