Bible Strands
1 Samuel 28:16
“Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Samuel addresses Saul at Endor after being summoned from the dead. He speaks during a moment of divine silence when Saul faces an imminent Philistine attack.
The words — The Hebrew verb סָר (sar) literally means "he has turned aside," describing Yahweh’s withdrawal from Saul. The phrase תִּשְׁאָלֵנִי (tish'aLe/nI) translates to "do you ask me," highlighting the futility of consulting a prophet when God has withdrawn.
The thread — This theme of divine withdrawal appears in 2 Kings 6:27, where help is denied from the threshing floor or winepress, and in Lamentations 2:5, where Yahweh acts as an enemy who swallows up Israel. The pattern of God becoming an adversary to His people is also echoed in Psalms 68:1 when enemies flee His presence.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that spiritual consultation cannot override divine rejection. It requires the reader to accept that continued disobedience results in God actively opposing rather than guiding the individual.
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
Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 6:27 He answered, “If the LORD does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or the winepress?”
- Psalms 68:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A song. God arises. His enemies are scattered, and those who hate Him flee His presence.
- Lamentations 2:5 The Lord is like an enemy; He has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for the Daughter of Judah.
- Revelation 18:20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced for you His judgment against her.
- Revelation 18:24 And there was found in her the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who had been slain on the earth.
- Judges 5:31 So may all Your enemies perish, O LORD! But may those who love You shine like the sun at its brightest.” And the land had rest for forty years.