28:1 And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines
gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with
Israel. And Achish said unto David, a Know thou
assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou
and thy men.
(a) Though it was a great grief to David to fight against
the people of God, yet such was his infirmity, he did
not dare deny him.
28:3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and
buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had b
put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards,
out of the land.
28:8 And Saul d 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.
(d) He does not seek God in his misery, but is led by Satan
to unlawful means, which in his conscience he condemns.
28:11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And
he said, Bring me up e Samuel.
(e) He speaks according to his gross ignorance not
considering the state of the saints after this life,
and how Satan has no power over them.
28:14 And he said unto her, What form [is] he of? And she said,
An old man cometh up; and he [is] covered with a mantle.
And Saul perceived that it [was] f Samuel, and he
stooped with [his] face to the ground, and bowed himself.
(f) To his imagination, even though it was Satan, who to
blind his eyes took on him the form of Samuel, as he
can do of an angel of light.
28:17 And the LORD hath done to g him, as he spake by me: for
the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and
given it to thy neighbour, [even] to David:
(g) That is, to David.
28:19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into
the hand of the Philistines: h and to morrow [shalt]
thou and thy sons [be] with me: the LORD also shall
deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the
Philistines.
28:20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was
sore i afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there
was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the
day, nor all the night.
(i) The wicked when they hear God's judgments, tremble and
despair, but cannot seek for mercy by repentance.
28:21 And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore
troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath
obeyed thy voice, and I k have put my life in my hand,
and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto
me.
(k) I have ventured my life.
28:24 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 l unleavened bread thereof:
