Bible Strands
1 Samuel 28:24
The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The unnamed woman at Endor prepares a meal for Saul and his servants after they yield to her urging and sit down following their nocturnal encounter. She acts immediately to provide sustenance for the grieving king and his attendants.
The words — עֵגֶל מַרְבֵּק (‘eḡel marbēq) denotes a "fattened calf" kept specifically for special occasions, and וַתְּמַהֵר (waṯṯemaḥēr) means "she made haste" or acted quickly. These terms emphasize the urgency and value of the provision.
The thread — The preparation of a fattened calf for honored guests echoes Genesis 18:7, where Abraham rushes to prepare a calf for visitors, and anticipates Luke 15:23, where a fattened calf is slaughtered for a celebratory feast. This motif marks the slaughter as an act of high hospitality or solemn occasion.
Why it lands — The text records a practical response to a desperate request, showing how immediate provision meets a leader’s physical need despite spiritual desolation. It calls the reader to recognize that ordinary acts of service often sustain people in moments of crisis.
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
And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:
Cross-references
- Luke 15:23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.
- Genesis 18:7 Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd, selected a tender and choice calf, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.