Key Verse Spotlight
1 Samuel 28:16 — Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing—and how to apply it today
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? "
1 Samuel 28:16
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
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 Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.
Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
And the LORD hath done to 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:
Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.
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1 Samuel 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, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men."
1 Samuel 28:2
"And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever."
1 Samuel 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 put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land."
1 Samuel 28:4
"And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered ➔ all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa."
1 Samuel 28:5
"And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled."
1 Samuel 28:6
"And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets."
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