Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 10:13
So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler narrates the aftermath of Saul’s death, providing the theological explanation for his demise immediately after describing the retrieval and burial of his and his sons’ bodies at Jabesh.
The words — מָעַל (ma.'Al) = he had acted unfaithfully [H4603] and בְּ/מַֽעֲל/וֹ (be./ma.'a.L/o) = in his unfaithfulness [H4604].
The thread — The prohibition against consulting mediums and the warning that such practices constitute spiritual prostitution appear in Leviticus 19:31 and Leviticus 20:6, while 1 Samuel 15:23 equates rebellion with divination and arrogance with idolatry.
Why it lands — The text states that Saul’s death resulted directly from violating the LORD’s word and seeking guidance through a medium, requiring the reader to recognize that bypassing divine instruction for occult sources is treated as treason against God.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
So 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;
Cross-references
- Leviticus 20:6 Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists to prostitute himself with them, I will also set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.
- Leviticus 19:31 You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
- 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
- Isaiah 8:19 When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?
- Deuteronomy 18:10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery,
- 1 Samuel 28:7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” “There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied.
- Exodus 22:18 You must not allow a sorceress to live.
- 1 Samuel 15:2 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them on their way up from Egypt.
- 1 Samuel 13:13 “You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.
- 2 Kings 21:6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.